Are Antique Weapons Allowed to Leave India?
 

I had heard that antique pieces were forbidden to leave India by law.

I know that recently made pieces are no problem.

Is my understanding correct or have things changed over there?

Hello, items older than 70 years are consider as antique and are not allowed to take from country. At least a couple of years ago it was so. In the other hand I never had any problems when trawelling there ( several times), I just packed the antiques in to my backpack and nobody was interested them at the airport when I left.

Regards, Timo

Antiques are not allowed out of the county,Dont get caught with any type of stone artifact,small antiques can be packed in your suit case but any weapon I would mail out of the country .As a tourist you will most likely not be punished but your item could be taken.


Been to india many times most every thing is fake or if it is old it was dug up or they want million dollars

Thanks - I thought as much. I have also noticed so called "antique" Indian pieces on ePrey with the shipping/selling source from India. Some look like obvious fakes, others are pretty good but too pristine.

Scary really..... :(

I was just thinking the same thing while looking at some supposedly antique Indian spear heads, very scary.

What about the reverse of this, people wanting to import antique weapons, is there problems for collectors to do so?

Gavin

As I understand it, the importation of antique firearms is strictly verboten.

And I would be equally cautious with the importation of any edged weapon with a blade length greater than 9 inches or widths greater than 2 inches, as it would be in violation of the Indian Arms Act (of 1959)- something they may not be so quick to disregard regardless of the age of a weapon.

I've always taken EDC folders with me to India, but have always erred on the side of caution with regards to knife size. :shrug:

Cheers,
Chris

Great info Chris.

Are there any collectors from India out there who have bought internationally before? I'm interested to know your thoughts too.

Gavin