Cats, Kids and Customs.

[Leslie]

Thanks Phil.

In some way the three can keep themselves occupied, mostly in ways we wont enjoy but none the less not alway seeking our attention Like a single child can do.

ATM I have a sweet brushed 36v modded Currie tech bike that gets me around.  Its got 3X12ah SLA's that do most of what I need to do.

The chain drive cogs do fail on them so I am hoping it will see me out for another month.

[MonkeyMagic]

Leslie mate glad to see you
Truth to be told I knew you would be back Plus the fact it wasn't the same without ya anyways!

Hmmm might look into a ping soon for long runs... Do you know if the ship has left yet? If so, it should be around 20 or so days from CA.

Also, not sure if you have arranged this with a company, if not - and you are doing this personally then once you have the bill of lading then call customs house http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5439.asp and just check if you need to get this cleared. Hopefully you dont!

Saying this because I eluded to this in an earlier post that there has been and still is a pretty big crackdown on personal imports.

When you call customs house and they ask if the goods are personal effects, then say no as this is for when you have lived overseas and are sending your stuff back. I'd say they are replacement parts, and they are not of commercial value. This way you might get out of paying duty. Maybe mention that they are unavailable/company stopped selling them in Australia

I have something stuck with department of vehicle infrastructure that has been held in storage until cleared. Shipping yards are absolute vultures for this.... It's been 2 weeks now since I was told I needed this cleared, and sent my application... I'm paying for 1 cube (min) per day @ $80 per day...OUCH.  ---- You get 5 days from when the container is unpacked because yours is not FCL (its LCL) then your 5 days starts from the day of unpacking. They tried to stitch me for these days too~!! arggh

This is a complete bike so is completely different from your wheels but just check because I've had trouble shipping in the past 2 years.

Oooh I think I'm excited that your pies are coming too lol


cheers mate

[o00scorpion00o]

I would much rather cats than children any day, having children sounds like sooooooo much pain! 


I think neutered Toms are very gentle natured, Neutering is a must with them I think. You certainly can't have a un neutered tom in the house, They stink! If you bring them up as kittens they can be very affectionate. But mine are completely spoiled, And very domesticated!

Here they are, don't they look snug! heheheh

[o00scorpion00o]

Leslie, 3 children triplets OMG how to you cope?


I'm glad we don't have big spiders or snakes here, I would go insane!


I don't think I will be on my bike for a while, the weather is too bad now. So that's it for a while anyway! me sad 

[Sundsvall]

I would much rather cats than children any day, having children sounds like sooooooo much pain! 


I think neutered Toms are very gentle natured, Neutering is a must with them I think. You certainly can't have a un neutered tom in the house, They stink! If you bring them up as kittens they can be very affectionate. But mine are completely spoiled, And very domesticated!

Here they are, don't they look snug! heheheh

Very cute!

I discussed the cat thing with my children and their mother and everybody seems to have a longing for cats.

I think these conversations in English are extremely fun as I really must concentrate when I write. Also there are words every now and then I don’t understand or words I thought I did understand but still don’t get what you mean. I had to think twice to get “neutered Tom” but now I’m certain that’s something I don’t wish for myself. If it is what I think it is we had one of those and we both think they are the loveliest cats.


Peter

[o00scorpion00o]

LOL Peter you are a funny chap!

If you decide you have enough children, then you can decide if neutering is an option LMAO 

We never let them out at night in summer, and only for an hour or two in winter when it gets dark much earlier, they come back earlier!
In summer they go out for a few hours in the day and come and go when they choose, they rarely go further than the garden, only at night to they want to roam!

Speaking of languages, I really should learn German. As of course, my girlfriend is German!    But she never speaks to me in German, and most people under 50 speak decent English over there, so I never thought it worth while! 


Okay I'm off to get some sleep. Night all

[Leslie]

I would much rather cats than children any day, having children sounds like sooooooo much pain!  


I think neutered Toms are very gentle natured, Neutering is a must with them I think. You certainly can't have a un neutered tom in the house, They stink! If you bring them up as kittens they can be very affectionate. But mine are completely spoiled, And very domesticated!

Yes my wife said it hurts to have children and men cant have children so I think youre lucky there..

Both my males are not deballed.  They are both very placid and don't spray.  The female is plain stripey cat like one of the males, and his sexual orientation is a little skewed.  And we have the alpha male, hes placid too sits in one spot looking like he owns the house.  Very proud boy he is.  If they naughty I chase them outside and thats enough to teach them to behave.

You know in China its become very acceptable to get sterilized and you can swing trouble free. But in Australia the Gov are almost pushing us onto our wives cheering behind us.


Strange world this is.

[MonkeyMagic]

and most people under 50 speak decent English over there, so I never thought it worth while! 

Hmm I'd say under 30 lol when I was in Frankfurt for a couple of weeks last year, it was a bit hard sometimes getting around but then again that is not a very good example of a nice place to be in Germany haha

What struck me was the young beggars that were teenagers and above could beg for money in like 4 languages!! One guy following me walking next to me was asking me in german, then french, then italian then english! So I replied in spanish and he spoke some spanish too lol. I gave him 5 euro for his efforts lol

It was a very dank and somewhat scary experience however, I did love the country side and can't wait to go back and see some more in another trip

Well thats a bit off topic but got me thunkin me wants to go back to Germany again

[Leslie]

Leslie mate glad to see you
Truth to be told I knew you would be back Plus the fact it wasn't the same without ya anyways!

Hmmm might look into a ping soon for long runs... Do you know if the ship has left yet? If so, it should be around 20 or so days from CA.

Thanks for the heads up.  This coming via post.  The rims and motors have been taken apart and sent separate.  Three different pakages so they will look like replacement parts.  And in so many ways they are replacements as one of my two HBS hubs, one is melted and the other is getting a little dated.

I wouldn't be lying if I was to say the parts aren't available here in OZ as our AU dealer seems to be pretty quiet.  Has no products to view on his web site and what not.

They magic question, are these personal effects, you give me 20/20 hind sight here as I would assumed they were. Then you open a pandoras box of paper work unknowingly.

Sure they are looking for drugs and stuff, but I just want my gear.  I really don't care about drugs coming overseas to be honest. Its their paranoia not mine so why should I pay for it.

Customs will stop your goods if they meet ANY of the below criteria.

   1. Have a value over AUD $1,000.
   2. Contain Alcohol or Tobacco of ANY quantity or value.
   3. Contain goods of “Customs Interest” being ANY goods listed on - customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/SACThesaurus_050725.pdf
   4. Contain Prohibited Imports listed on - customs.gov.au/site/page4369.asp


1. Drug
2. Medicine
3. Pharmaceutical
4. Herb
5. Vitamin
6. Traditional medicine
7. Tablet
8. Capsule
9. Caps
10. Tabs
11. Pill
12. Hormone
13. Supplement
14. Tobacco
15. Cigarette
16. Cigar
17. Chewing tobacco
18. Snuff
19. Alcohol
20. Drink
21. Spirit
22. Wine
23. Beer
24. Scotch
25. Brandy
26. Schnapps
27. Grappa
28. Port
29. Insect
30. Animal
31. Fish
32. Marine
33. Skin
34. Fur
35. Ivory
36. Coral
37. Shell
38. Clam
39. Seed
40. Pelt
41. Plant
42. Wood
43. Vegetation
44. Asbestos
45. Cement
46. Brake
47. Fire
48. Glazed
49. Chemical
50. Sodium
51. Sulphur
52. Hydrogen
53. Explosive
54. Zinc
55. Magnesium
56. Gas
57. Nuclear
58. Biological
59. Micro organism
60. Toxin
61. Waste
62. Weapon
63. Ammunition
64. Gun
65. Rifle
66. Knife
67. Knives
68. Dagger
69. Pistol
70. Armour
71. Grenade
72. Cannon
73. Military
74. Mine
75. Missile
76. Bullet
77. Fuse
78. Cartridge
79. Shellcase
80. Rocket
81. Torpedo
82. Flare
83. Stungun
84. Taser
85. Blowpipe
86. Nunchakus
87. Crossbow
88. Blade
89. Axe
90. Knuckleduster
91. Slingshot
92. Throwing star
93. Dart
94. Flail
95. Baton
96. Firearm
97. Collar
98. Jewel
99. Precious stone
100. Diamond
101. Gem
102. Metal
103. Gold
104. Silver
105. Personal effects
106. Household effects
107. Household goods
108. Carnet
109. Car
110. Vehicle
111. Motor bike
112. Truck
113. Van
114. Bacteria
115. Caviar
116. Lighter
117. Dog Collar
118. Refrigerant
119. Rum
120. Bourbon
121. Whisky
122. Vodka
123. Bomb
124. Handgun
125. Prescription medicine
126. Analgesic
127. Ammo
128. Pyrotechnic device
129. Fossil
130. Fireworks
131. Silencer
132. Uranium
133. Plutonium
134. Lithium
135. Toothfish

I think I am in the clear.  Purchase was under $1000 AU and aint on this list.

I think knives is a little unfair.  Like what would some one do import a knife to kill someone or just pull one out of the kitchen draw.  Or hang on, send a murder weapon out of the country through customs as a means of disposal. doh.

They should put human body parts on the list,  Hmm maybe Ive been watching too many gangsta and scary movies.  Maybe thats where the  movie phrase comes form "I will mail your body parts all over the world"  as far as the above list is concern you don't need to self asses this.  


Antibiotics     Fish and toothfish
ANZAC     Fly swatters/mosquito bats - electronic
Asbestos     Growth hormones and substances of human or animal origin
Australian flag and coats of arms     Hazardous waste
Cat and dog fur products     Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs)
Ceramic ware - glazed     Incandescent lamps
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises)     Industrial chemicals
Chemical weapons     Kava
Chewing tobacco and oral snuff     Knives and daggers
Cigarette lighters     Laser pointers
Cosmetics - toxic materials     Money boxes, novelty - toxic materials
Credit cards - counterfeit     Ozone depleting substances
Crowd control equipment     Pencils and paintbrushes - toxic materials
Cultural and heritage goods - general     Pesticides
Cultural and heritage goods from Papua New Guinea     Pornography and other objectionable material
Diamonds - from Cote d'Ivoire     Radioactive substances
Diamonds - Kimberley Process     Suicide devices
Dog collars - protrusion     Tablet presses
Dogs - dangerous breeds     Therapeutic drugs and substances
Drugs and narcotics     Tobacco - unmanufactured leaf
Embryo clones - viable materials     Toys - toxic materials
Endangered animal and plant species - CITES     Trade Practices Act goods
Erasers - novelty     Weapons
Explosives, plastic     Woolpacks

Ahh blood diamonds.  What a crock.

I wouldn't take a South African diamond even if it was even free.  As they are all blood diamonds from South Africa IMO..  I don't wear jewelery its a worthless vanity I teach my kids the same.


I think Im in the clear home and hose.  But that was worth looking into.

Cheers.

[MonkeyMagic]

Well its good you items are separate, I really wish my motors were sent separate as I found this out afterward. This would have cleared any problems for me.

Anyways when the ship landed, there was an electronic clearing method. Because one of the invoices said 'Hybrid Bike' which was a pedal, electric bike they requested, and required me to fill in this application:

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/Application.aspx

It's pretty much for cars, but there is the section for power assisted bicycles, petrol or electric rated at over 200w. It's a declaration and the fact you have to pay $50 for it is ridiculous because you can import full bikes over 200w for around $100 cost (crap ones)

So the 'processing' time is 15 working days as stated on the site, but I've been waiting since 16/08 so without crunching numbers they are nearly a week out. Storage is costing me nearly $100 a day and that's separate through the shipping yard!

Not a good experience at all haha but good education!

[Electrobent]

Damn! are they trying to protect some fledgling local industry or are they afraid of burning less oil or of having a low-cost form of personal transportation available to a public they want to keep on bus routes?

Here in Kalifornia the cops commented on my bike being electric but did not even write that into the police report of it getting totalled by a teenage driver failing to yield.

[MonkeyMagic]

Hmmmm so they didn't even acknowledge on paper it was electric! Noooo, well I hope their insurance covered everything and the police possibly wrote "custom super carbon fibre extremely rare material bike" or something along those lines

I was in LA last year but didnt make it to the coast. Still kicking myself now so I'm coming back next year and doing a bigger tour of the states. I love the US.

Anyways no, its just a standard vehicle import registry that is generally overlooked, but can sometimes arise.

So I will elaborate a little - I am now starting an electric vehicle business in Melbourne Australia. I have imported my first 4 sample model full bikes. I received 3 in one shipment no problems via my customs broker. The second shipment was a single full bike. I didn't use a customs broker and just went through the shipping yard. They asked for my bill of lading, invoice etc. Then the next day or so they asked for a photo of the bike. Soon after I was instructed to complete that application. I'm still waiting to this day.

So the ship arrived, and the cost of storage is between $80-$100AUD per cubic meter, per day.

I'm up for sh!tloads lol

Assuming I was picked up with the second shipment for the fact I had a similar import description and this rang some bells. It's a bad unforeseen experience overall

[Leslie]

Then how do you run a business like this if all the vultures are looking at getting their soiled claws over the profit margins.  You run your business to pay them to store your merchandise.

Monkey, how do you plan on bypassing these parasites?  Maybe importing parts will get you further?

[MonkeyMagic]

Yes I am planning to have the hub motors sent separately rendering the bikes as plain bicycles

[Leslie]

Silly how you have to pull something to pieces to make it so much cheaper.

Anyway here is Kit Cat.  Our alpha Tom cat.



And Boots.  The other tom cat.