"Illegal to Import" - power plug adaptor deal

Jabba the Hutt on 06/09/2011 - 16:23

This question is basically in relation to this deal which was deleted today, and past ones like it which have not been deleted:

This deal is not published.
US/USA/EU/Europe to AU/Australia AC Socket Travel Charger Plug Adapter for $0.01/Free Shipping (Illegal to Import in Australia)

Just curious about the stated basis for the decision to delete this deal and its possible implications. Should it be the case that other deals involving electrical goods supplied from overseas, such as this one:

http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/50974

also be deleted on the basis of being "illegal to import"? Or for something like an power socket converter, are there separate regulations which explicitly apply to individual consumers (i.e. your typical OzBargain visitor buying one item from overseas for their own use), and do not apply to something like a shaver?

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Comments

  • neil on 06/09/2011 - 16:28
    +1

    Was just going to query the mod who removed the thread as I interpreted this as not being illegal. I even ordered one!

    • A3Australia on 07/09/2011 - 01:55

      It is illegal, and unsafe.

      Please check with Fair Trading NSW who 'handle' these types of things (Electrical Safety and C-Tick) in NSW.

  • issh on 06/09/2011 - 16:29

    i have had these come in from Asia(i believe Hong Kong) as it came with this item with a EU plug and i received it
    I doubt customs will seize this

    However, i will say these are dangerous if used incorrectly as it is quote loose and i had to stickey tape the converter around the EU plug

  • rinbond on 06/09/2011 - 16:50

    not illegal to import but prohibited to plug into the supply point

    • Jabba the Hutt on 06/09/2011 - 17:06

      Do you have a link to the applicable rules? I don't know anything more about them than the next guy but I was reading this earlier:

      http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Businesses/Product_safety/…

      And shavers are on the "declared articles" list. I checked my grey-import Panasonic shaver and it lacks any of the approved marks (has UL only) while a Braun I purchased from Myer has the RCM tick and N-number. That indicates it'd be against the rules for Australian "retailers and importers" to have sold the Panasonic, but it would come as a surprise if similar rules applied to me as an individual consumer with respect to buying from an overseas store, or privately selling such an item.

    • A3Australia on 07/09/2011 - 01:57

      not illegal to import but prohibited to plug into the supply point

      I am not sure if you are referring to the adapter plug or to the electric shaver?

      In any case, both are prohibited imports. Both require Electrical Safety certification.

      • neil on 07/09/2011 - 10:43

        I think there needs to be a clear distinction.

        Importing is buying overseas for the intention to sell on the Australian market.
        Buying overseas and using here is a different story.

        We would be arresting tourists by the droves.

  • scotty on 06/09/2011 - 16:50

    I have re-published the deal and added a note at the beginning so people are aware of the issues.

    Sorry I initially decided to unpublish it as it would be illegal to import uncertified adapter to Australia, although the custom probably won't care. Moreover in this case it is an overseas Store Representative who published the deal (as oppose to an Australian bargain hunter who just wants to share a deal he/she found on an overseas site). Therefore although we have featured many imported electric appliances before, this one got unpublished.

    • Jabba the Hutt on 06/09/2011 - 17:08

      Well, taking the cautious approach is understandable, so I wasn't criticising the deletion so much as seeking clarification on the rules that apply to this sort of thing.

    • Natt on 12/09/2011 - 10:49

      Thanks scotty for your eagle eyes :)

      well picked up!

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