[A. G. Maisey]

On the subject of names used in shipping weaponry.

Over a thirty year period, shipping out of Australia to various overseas destinations, I have found that it is not a real good idea to label knives as knives, daggers as daggers, or swords as swords.

It is more likely to result in a no problems transit to destination if that 18th century Indian dagger is named on the customs declaration as :- one pesh kabz, a south Asian cultural artifact made of metal and stone and dating from the 18th century.

An English bowie knife becomes :- a 19th century cutting tool of English origin

-----and so on.

The description must be absolutely correct, but should not use emotive words such as "knife", "sword", "dagger".


Regretably knives, swords and daggers also seem to suffer from pilferage in some countries, so using a term that does not tell a prospective thief exactly what is in the package is added protection, especially for countries that do not provide a postal insurance cover.