Import experience of Extrema Ratio Folder thru courier route

[ssmickey.32]

Hello Friends,
I would like to share the knowledge/experience i have gathered while importing Extrema Ratio 185 RAO Folder knife through courier route. I have received this knife through Fedex ‘priority’ custom cleared & delivered in 8 days [actually 6 days].

Knives that can be imported:

Please visit: Indian Arms Rule 1962, Schedule 1 - Category V http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india/laws/rules/schedule_I.html

“Arms other than fire-arms: Sharp-edged and deadly weapons, namely: swords (including sword-stick), daggers, bayonets, spears (including lances and javelins); battle-axes, knives (including kirpans a Khukries and other such weapons with blades longer than 9" or wider than 2" other than those designed for domestic, agricultural, scientific or industrial purpose, steel baton; "Zipo" and other such weapons called "life preserves"; machinery for making arms other than category II; and any other arms which the Central Government may notify under Sec. 4.”

i.e. in general, knives having blade length longer than 9 inch & wider than 2 inch are not allowed to be imported. You can easily go ahead if your chosen knife is below the above measurements.

Insurance & Courier charges:

For your reference, Shipment weight of my ‘RAO’ was 1.1 Kg & the shipment charges [as on 16/11/2009] were as follows:

if.. Fedex ‘priority’ is US$139.21

if... Fedex ‘economy’ is $134.75

if... US Postal Service is $40.00

this included cost of insurance too which is approx. 1 to 1.5 US$... dirt cheap…

I chose Fedex ‘Priority’ as they clear custom too and shipment reached on 6th day but unfortunately they left custom papers in New Delhi so I had to take the delivery on 8th day. Quick one!!! Keep it up Fedex.

Custom Duty:

Custom duty is calculated on the cost of knife + the courier charges or you can say the total invoice/shipment value. The duties are as follows:
1. BCD – Basic Custom Duty [10%]
Please refer to http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cst-0910/cst-main.htm
PART – II
Import Tariff and Chapter-wise Exemption Notifications
Please refer to Chapter 82, Tariff item 8211 93 90; Basic Custom Duty is 10% however Fedex got me cleared on tariff item 8208 90 90[!!!!]. In both, the Basic custom duty is 10%.

2. CVD – Countervailing duty or additional duty of customs / excise duty
3. CESS
4. SAD

In total all the duties calculated and applied comes to 24.42% of shipment [value of knife + Courier charges] value.

There were some points that I was told to follow by Subal Das, m24 & few other members of our forum, they are as follows:

1. Get the INSURED shipment from Courier. Also get the necessary details to track it online.

2. The return address of your shipment should start with 'If undelivered, please return to', so in case of any problem with customs, the consignment will not be lost.

3. The bill should clearly show everything/parts contained in the shipment.

4. I got the Custom clearance vital specifications mentioned on the commercial invoice. That is Blade Length & Length closed. Weight is already an integral part of invoice.

5. Get the computer generated copy of commercial invoice before shipment thru email and check the details. Get the final copy of commercial invoice for your record.

6. You should also have a proof of payment. Although it was not required but just in case…

If anyone is interested in this folder, please visit the following you tube video: Extrema Ratio RAO Test Part 1 No Destruction and other related video’s.

I got this knife from http://www.xtremeknives.com. It is indeed a pleasure to deal with Nancy who very patiently replied to all my questions and sent the shipment very promptly. Thank you so much Nancy. Should anyone be interested in Extrema Ratio knives, I strongly recommend this company. They offer you good discounted rates too. Keep it up!!!

Any inputs from more experienced fellow members are welcome...

Best regards...

ssmickey.32

[Subal das]

congratulations ssmickey.32
thanks you very much for such detailed report

another parts of testing video

[youtube][/youtube]
[youtube][/youtube]

this folder cutting like a axe ... I cant stop laughing while watching it.

I like also that you can carry it as fixed blade too.

not a cheap knife, but when shit will hit the fan, you may need something real on your side.

[m24]

Great write-up ssmickey.32. I think your post can be used as a perfect reference for anyone interested in importing knives.

And now, where are the pics of the RAO?? Waiting for that.

Regards

[Subal das]

it should in fact be made a sticky thread

[ssmickey.32]

Thanks Subal & m24... [sorry for my late reply... i was away]

... yes... the write up... as an importer of knife thru courier, I had all these budding questions... so finally wrote everything so that it remains alive here. I think it will help fellows interested in importing one thru courier route.

The knife is W'really huge and heavy. Yes! it's great as folder & fixed.

... a must to have...

What does law say to carry a knife?? Suppose you are checked by any cop and you are found carrying a knife... what are our rights?? What he can do??

Best regards

ssmickey.32

[Subal das]

I think you cant carry it in city limits as fixed blade, as it has blade 4.72 inches
as some one wrote here blade length for carry inside city should be not more then 3 and half inches.

take a look this holster seems like very comfortable and well concealed holster, you can little modify it for carrying RAO

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum881.php

because you can open RAO with one hand, drawing from such holster will be quite quick.

personally I don't like any kind of belt sheaths or even pocket clips, it always drawing extra attention.

[Zake]

So all in all how much exactly did it cost you ? INR ?

[eternalme]

It cost him a lot man

[m24]

Probably in the range of Rs. 25,000.

Regards

[Subal das]

he should be in Guiness book as first Indian owner of RAO 185

[Zake]

And spending that kind of money on a knife. I don't care whether it's made of platinum. But 25gs on a knife ?? Mannn he's rich.

[m24]

I guess, Zake, it's not a matter of money. It's a matter of interest and the lengths one would go to fulfill that.

Regards

[ssmickey.32]

I guess, Zake, it's not a matter of money. It's a matter of interest and the lengths one would go to fulfill that.

Very true... in my life i have experienced... for best things you've got to jump and grab... they are always out of your reach... & few best things make you run before you jump & grab

It costed me about Rs.27,500/- believe me when you hold it u will know why it's so... it's a beauty to behold

Best regards...

ssmickey.32

[biking3819]

STRONG!!this thing seems to be a folding prybar !but...would you ever try prying with it

[ranjitkher]

Can I do this for a crossbow?
Can I do the sam