[badjez]

When I emigrated I brought with me a collection of Trench Art shell casings, amongst which were two that had no markings but were included for education purposes. Customs at Brisbane seized the two un-marked cases but let the remainder through even though prior advice was that they were ok to bring with me. The reason was that the casings were 'weapons of war'. I was threatened with 10 years imprisonment and AU$250,000 fine.

I fought the seizure and won, but the relevance to bayonets is this- no two Australian Government departments could agree as to whether or not I had done something illegal: I needed an import licence, or did I need an Ammunition Collectors Permit; a licence from Queensland Mines...

I received both shell cases back after they had 1mm holes drilled in them to prevent their being re-used, but the moral of the story is don't believe a word they say or write on their web-pages, and be prepared to write reams of letters, and fill innumerable forms.

After my experience I wouldn't try to import a bayonet Downunder just in case.

Stephen.