Importing laser rangefinders into Australia?

[e100]

The 360 degree scanners are now super cheap, but Australian customs regularly seizes anything labelled as a 'laser', or if looks like a 'laser pointer' due to idiots using then to harass aircraft and people. Customs doesn't care if a laser is visible or IR, they all get treated the same.

Sure, you can buy locally but then the cost is much higher.

So does anyone have any first hand experience with importing any of the newer LIDAR systems? Do you simply get a letter saying that it has been seized?

[Brumby]

Try and import something without doing the research and getting the appropriate permit is asking for seizure.  With the proper permit, you can import all manner of things.  Getting that permit, however, can be the fun bit.

You have at least started by asking questions - and, unfortunately, I don't have any answers ... but keep asking.

Just make sure you have done all the groundwork before ordering your thingamajig.



Here is the site which should have your answers: https://dfat.gov.au - but finding your way could be challenging.

[I wanted a rude username]

Customs doesn't care if a laser is visible or IR

Nor should they. Invisible lasers can be just as hazardous, if not more so.

What Customs care about is output power. Don't know about LIDAR, but there are plenty of rangefinders < 1 mW, which should be fine to import. If the power is higher, then by Australian law you need a licence to operate it anyway.

Their enforcement isn't even particularly good, since plenty of people have been able to buy DPSS green lasers on eBay ... the ones that are marked as 5 mW or less but are actually more like 20 mW, and probably have non-functional IR filters.