Kampilan requested

[Flavio]

Originally Posted by Maurice

A "little" brother of approximately 100 cm long....

Maurice, they are all my children and they will never grow

[Rick]

Flavio, can you explain why it is so hard to import antique swords from the US where you live ?
Yet they are easily gotten from other European countries ?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

Flavio, can you explain why it is so hard to import antique swords from the US where you live ?
Yet they are easily gotten from other European countries ?

May i interfeer Flavio ?
It is a question of aproach, Rick.
When sending something between European ( Common market ) countries, parcels are not submited to Customs. That's what makes the difference. So independently from whatever national laws exist on bearing (or detaining) arms (new or antique), there is no "trouble shooting" when the parcel comes through, whereas if it comes from the States or other countries outside the comunity, it will be randomly or systematicaly opened for inspection; in such case Customs are obliged to observe current laws and subject the item clearance to a police inspection; that's when the saga begins.
Probably arms laws in Italy are so tough as in Portugal; that's why Flavio is experiencing problems similar to mine. The "antique" prerogative functions better for firearms than for edged weapons. If of any interest, i can open a thread resuming the recent arms legislation in Portugal, for the members perusal and comparison to their countries ... like Italy.
Sorry again for having antecipated your answer, Flavio; if i talked nonsense, just bit me ... hard .
... I just couldn't resist; i am still under the efects of a huge problem i had with importing an antique sword from the States.
Fernando

[Flavio]

Fernando,

no problem at all!!! you have spoken perfectly that is the situation!! With the Schengen accords beetween european countries there aren't customs, but with extra-european nations we are under the blade of customs.....

Flavio

[Rick]

Thank you for clearing this up for me Guys .

Funny, you would think antique armes blanches would not be problematic .

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

Thank you for clearing this up for me Guys .

Funny, you would think antique armes blanches would not be problematic .

Legalists don't see things that way.
A firearm is a device that depends on technological mechanisms and also on contemporary amunition. So, timely, it becomes obsolete, for one or the other reason. In Portugal and according to the recent law, firearms produced before 1890 may be kept and are not even passive of manifest. The same occurs with a published list of obsolete ammunitions.
On the other hand, a device longer than 10 cms (4") equipped with an edge and or a point, than can cut or perforate, is considered an illegal weapon (arma branca), indepentently from its age.
There are ways to legalize both type of prohibited arms, except for military stuff, but licence achievement is hard and takes rather long time to get through.
You may aplly for use and bearing, home detention or collecting. However the late is not so digestive as it sounds; as there is no antique weapons only collecting, this version comprehends also active arms, so it's a hell of a problem to get this type of licence, despite you only gather antique stuff. Actually since the new law was published two years ago, the police hasn't yet issued the first of these licences. I am trying to get one of these, myself. It requires a dozen different credentials, from certificate of never have driven under the influence of alchool, to one of never having been convicted for drugs abuse ... passing by a certificate of mental health, as well as a membership in a legaly regconized arms collecting association ... and so on, and so on.
If ever you or someone are interested in further details, just tell
Fernando

[Rick]

Thank you Fernando .
That clears it up for me .

Red Tape is universal I guess .