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

Good Lord! I am so sorry to hear this. They can stack the hides up with Gibson Guitar's Indian Rosewood.

Sorry to hear about the changes. Trying to solve one problem often leads to 10 new ones being created and the main issue really never being fully addressed.

Ah the nanny state meddlers strike again. How sad...but don't worry, they know what's best for you...even if it kills your business.

Anyone coming to Australia anytime soon? I need a roo mule.

To be perfectly frank, I have never declared any of my strops to be roo on the customs declaration. I just say leather strop. How are they going to know what is roo and what is not? And how many of us have received razors with "antique handles" as opposed to tortoise or ivory on the customs declaration? It really isn't going to stop people sending roo overseas without permits if they really want to.

Makes me glad I never got into the vendoring side of those strops though. Hmmm..... time to make a croc strop I think.....

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Anyone coming to Australia anytime soon? I need a roo mule.

To be perfectly frank, I have never declared any of my strops to be roo on the customs declaration. I just say leather strop. How are they going to know what is roo and what is not? And how many of us have received razors with "antique handles" as opposed to tortoise or ivory on the customs declaration? It really isn't going to stop people sending roo overseas without permits if they really want to.

Makes me glad I never got into the vendoring side of those strops though. Hmmm..... time to make a croc strop I think.....


James.

And that's fair enough too Jimbo, but as far as that goes now, I think this is our customs way of clamping down on just that sort of activity. And as telling just what sort of leather it is, well there is nothing quite like roo, when it is tested against other leathers (cut down to the same thickness) for tearing and strength. All the others fail much, much sooner.
Exporting of kangaroo products without permits (permits have always been necessary) is always at the senders risk. Many have gotten away with it in the past, but going by what I've been told, many continuing on with this practice will stand a much higher chance of being caught out. People buying these products should be making sure that the seller is doing the right thing too, as they stand a good chance of doing their dough when the item never arrives.
Hopefully these changes are overturned, so that this post just remains as a 'heads up' and not a reality.


Mick

More of what happens when short sighted do gooders crawl in bed with bureaucrats. I have I said somewhere else that beaurocrats were insane?

Well, crap. Not only are those ridiculous regulations but there goes my getting a Roo hide strop this winter.
Guess it's gonna wait till I save up enough to go there.

Actually ray, this had nothing to do with do-gooders this time. This is solely the work of beauracrats. There was absolutely no consultation with anyone in the leather working industry. I suspect this to be just another way of adding to the government coffers. I've been led to believe these regulations are actually now in place, so if that's the case it is up to our leather working groups (with the backing of their membership, myself included) such as the APWA etc to fight the good fight to try and overturn the rule.

bharner, I don't believe you'll not have 'roo hide available. Places like Tandy will stock it. You just have to make yourself a strop, or have a leather worker make one for you if you like.

Mick

Hey guys. Forgive me for dragging up an old thread, but just wondering if the regulations are still in place? Or should I wait until I'm over there and meet up with someone to make me a 'roo strop?