Thread: Heads up on Australian kangaroo hide products.

A heads up for the Aussies here who export 'roo hide. In the near future all 'roo hide products leaving the country must be registered with customs and have a 'non cites permit' with the product. Customs have stated that they will let the items out of the country without these requirements being met, so as not to mess with the postal system, but that the item will be destroyed at the destination country. No questions asked. They will also be following up every item sent, to its original source, and issuing fines (These are quite steep by the way). The Australian Plaiters and Whipmakers Association (APWA) is doing what it can to overturn these new regulations, as they are considered impractical and unworkable by those of us who trade in these goods.

As a side note, the main source of supply of the Red Kangaroo hides, Packers Tannery is considering no longer stocking this species. For those of you who are happy with a 'roo hide strop received from me, it is this very species that you're using. Of all the 'roo species available in tanned hide format, the Red species has the finest grain. No others species can compare as well. It will be harder to get in future (unless the Packer brothers change their minds), but won't be impossible. Quality may suffer if the new sources of supply don't work to the same stringent quality control as Packers Tannery does.

Personally, I won't be sending anything outside of the country now. Others might, but I feel if I pay my $150 for 'non cites permits' each year, that should be enough. Having to go into a customs office and register each item (for an extra fee) before I send it is ridiculous.



Mick