The only thing I can tell you is, that every time I have bought something in England it was examined by the English customs, as well as by the Swiss customs, and I had to fill in formulars stating thet it is more than 100 years old, that it has no cultural value and, and, and... None of the weapons I have imported had ivory hilts.
Lets say the the English customs think the hillt is of plastic, not likely but just let us say so, what when it comes to the Turkish customs? They also know the CITES rules.
It is really a very unfortunate situation you are in, and I dont know what I would do. If the sword is in England and you dont what to wait/pay for the CITES certificate, it may be better to sell it in England. Painful no doubt, but better to get your money back than loose both money and the sword - and maybe get a fine as well.
I am sorry that I cant help you, I wish I could.
|