Two prop packages seized - Canada & Australia

Birdie

Birdie

Master Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
In the last two weeks I have had two outgoing packages seized - a resin GITS Mateba in Canada and $200 worth of props destined for Australia.

My customers were aware of the risks, but nevertheless, it's been horribly disappointing for both them and me.

Both packages were labelled 'plastic toys'.

It seems that a lot of the time packages in resricted countries go unnoticed, so I thought I'd post this up to show that these seizures DO happen.

Please think carefully about shelling out on items you may never receive.
 
Sorry to hear this. It plain sucks.

I still don't understand how my partially-assembled metal Capt. Mal's pistol got through fine, while plastic toys get seized. Aussie customs sure are odd.

The sad thing is people are going to stop shipping replica firearms, or the like, to Australia because of this (understandably, of course). Bad news for collectors. :sleep
 
GF said:
Were these plastic replica blasters or weapons?

GFollano
Click to expand...

They were replicas that resemble real-world guns, though neither piece actually exist in the real world.

Not sci-fi looking.
 
As for Canadian laws, if it is an accurate replica of a current model firearm it's not allowed. I assume you got a notice from Canada Customs informing you of the seizure or that it was being investigated (you would, and the receiver should too, if it was seized), if you call the number on the notice you can appeal it pretty easily. Some things will go through unmolested because not every package is inspected, some customs people might make decisions based on what they think instead of checking with someone that would know more about the item in question.
 
Australia won't even let in fantasy knives and swords - let alone toy guns. New Zealand, on the other hand, has no problems with imitation firearms, swords etc (at least for the time being). I had a package arrive recently covered in "opened by NZ customs" tape containing one of Phil's metal Mal guns.
 
Dang, that sucks. . . this hobby is getting harder and harder for folks in some parts of the world.

Would it make any difference if a letter was enclosed inside the package stating something like: "This is a resin (plastic/rubber/etc.) replica of a fictitious prop used in the film "XXXXXXXX." It has never been, nor could it ever be converted into, an actual weapon of any type."

I've never tried to ship any blasters/lightsabers overseas, so not sure if it would help or not.
 
A letter like that could help with Canadian customs. Though it being converted into an actual weapon isn't really the issue for them. If you were to include a letter stating it was a replica from whatever movie as well as stating "this does not accurately replicate any current model firearm" it could make them have to look into it more than they otherwise might.
 
I shipped a metal and resin Lewis gun replica to the UK a couple months ago. I specified the contents as "fishing equipment". :p
 
This is one of the reasons, that I have not purchased any sci fi weapons from overseas, i would hate to spend money, and not get what I have paid for.

Looks like scratchbuilt is the way I will have to go
 
Kadajiroth said:
Sorry to hear this. It plain sucks.

I still don't understand how my partially-assembled metal Capt. Mal's pistol got through fine, while plastic toys get seized. Aussie customs sure are odd.
Click to expand...

I'm happy to hear that it got through with no hassles :)

GDafi said:
This is one of the reasons, that I have not purchased any sci fi weapons from overseas, i would hate to spend money, and not get what I have paid for.

Looks like scratchbuilt is the way I will have to go
Click to expand...

If you can get a resin kit, it would probably get through. I got a Pulse Rifle in bits and it made it through fine. However, and this is odd, I got an assembled, solid resin one through too. It may have made it through due to it being/appearing solid when it was X-Rayed?

Anyway, it is silly for them to confiscate a plastic toy gun, I mean, really :confused

Cheers,

Kraig
 
There's a thread on rebelscum where some guy's MR Solo blaster got confiscated by customs in Australia. :(
 
It's even worse here in Malaysia. The prohibition against gun/weapon replicas is so wide that it also covers sci-fi/fantasy guns. Recently a shop owner was arrested for selling those cheap 1 dollar springers that happened to be a 1:1 scale Beretta. Ownership of these replicas can make the owner liable under gun laws.

Still, I managed to bring in a Rick Ross PKD kit, a few swords and hopefully a Mal pistol soon!
 
Imho Customs and or Homeland Security are a tad wack. I made a movie accurate AVP large Cal. shoulder cannon out of intercell. Shipped to a buddy in the US for molding/casting.... and Homeland Security held it for a week.

1: it was easilly recognisable as being made of plastic.
2: easilly recognisable as so out of this world and not even remotely looking like any real gun.
3: I described it, as in what it was, = a movie prop/model, what it was made of... the works.

They caused grief for my mold/cast dude, and had to call me to verify what it was. But, I as well made a 21 inch long blade accurate Predator Ceremonial Dagger out of the same material, and it went thru no problemo.

It is like they do not actually train their peeps to be able to recognise a real gun from a sci fi non firing plastic prop.

"if it is an accurate replica of a current model firearm it's not allowed"

the emphesis here would be on current model firearm. THIS.... shouldn`t have caused any issues imho:

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs216&d=07225&f=Uberpaint05.jpg

Some common sense is in order.
 
Last edited:
Oh, come now... it's full of weird symbols and strange angles. Must be Secret Terrorist Code! Those Axis of Evil people are probably crafty enough to make a radioactivity-leaking nuke look like a plastic toy.

I mean... when an airport security official tells you, in a 100% serious tone with furrowed brow, "Show me how it works" when they discover a lightsaber in your hand baggage... well...

Personally, I would at least try to dispute the seizure in some fashion. Hope you get it solved somehow.


Shai`tan said:
the emphesis here would be on current model firearm. THIS.... shouldn`t have caused any issues imho:

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs217&d=07294&f=MVC-007F.JPG

Some common sense is in order.
Click to expand...
 
Well, at least all I collect is Back to the Future stuff, so, I don't have to worry aobut weapons!:) Sorry to hear about your loss.:cry
 
I know I've mentioned it before about the Gerber MKII I got confiscated and how easy it is to get a GIANT Machete just 5 mins drive. However, in our Governments quest to protect their population from themselves and others, I'm half expecting some agents to turn up to my door with a roll of bubble wrap to roll me in and some tape..... "... Sir, it's legislation, trust me it's for your own good" :rolleyes

Cheers,

Kraig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

EEvansHilton
BOOM!!! Unintended Historical Prop
Replies
2
Views
268
joberg
joberg
PHArchivist
Jurassic Park - Props, find a way... Part Two
Replies
4
Views
938
Brendan
Brendan
TFrosst
Definitive prop replica company thread
Replies
2
Views
338
renaissance_man
renaissance_man
BolianAdmiral
TNG Prop Help
Replies
0
Views
354
BolianAdmiral
BolianAdmiral
CreechMagoo
My original "Space Gun" inspired by the classic prop making ethos
Replies
5
Views
430
CreechMagoo
CreechMagoo
Back
Top