The sales and shipping of swords to the USA??

estcrh · 31st July 2017, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

I have very recently had swords coming from Europe to the US via the postal system and there have been no inbound US Customs issues. For ethnographic specimens, use tariff code 9705.00.00.70 to expedite processing.

I have just recently purchased a sword from Stefan (Ashoka Arts) who lives in England and it arrived in the US without any problem. I know of Ebay sellers who are in England and they sell swords for export without any problem as far as I know. I just wanted to see if anyone had a problem or heard of any recent problems selling swords from England to US buyers, I think the seller I was dealing with was given bad information (not unusual).

Philip · 31st July 2017, 05:18 AM

I received a 17th cent. Polish saber from a UK seller just 3 months ago, no problem whatsoever. It came via ParcelForce and was not even opened for inspection by US customs. Just weeks ago, a seller on the Continent shipped a flintlock gun dating from the same period, he sent barrel and stock separately and again, it entered the US without any inspection.

But not long ago, someone else in the UK advised that Royal Mail would not accept antiques of any kind -- perhaps on the basis of not wanting to deal with claims for loss or damage (UPS used to deny antiques outright a few decades ago). I have not had the opportunity to verify this piece of advice and, as with the recent news received by the originator of this thread, it may or may not be correct.

mariusgmioc · 31st July 2017, 05:28 AM

I purchased a sword recently from the UK and I didn't receive it yet as the seller said the carrier refused to take it and said it is a weapon. So now he is looking for another carrier.

estcrh · 31st July 2017, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip

someone else in the UK advised that Royal Mail would not accept antiques of any kind -- perhaps on the basis of not wanting to deal with claims for loss or damage (UPS used to deny antiques outright a few decades ago). I have not had the opportunity to verify this piece of advice and, as with the recent news received by the originator of this thread, it may or may not be correct.

I checked the Royal Mail web site for international restricted and prohibited items and found nothing about antiques being prohibited, I did not see swords mentioned either.

Restricted goods - international
https://business.help.royalmail.com/.../863/related/1

Prohibited goods - international
https://business.help.royalmail.com/.../865/related/1

Guide to sending items to the USA from the UK
http://www.royalmail.com/united-states-america

Kubur · 31st July 2017, 07:15 AM

Hi Estcrh

It's true most of the carriers now don't want to ship weapons, even within UK.
It really depends of your seller as I don't think that is prohibited.

Best,
Kubur

Royston · 31st July 2017, 07:26 AM

It is not banned but Royal Mail employees can be awkward. They have to ask the contents and some of them think that knives and swords are banned, the local post offices appear to make up the rules as they go along.
Using the correct name often works I.e "old Dayak Mandau " instead of sword as they rarely ask what it means. Native agricultural impliment or tool can also work.
Regards
Roy

This is from their website. Note " banned knives under UK law" NOT antiques per se.
Items NOT allowed.

Weapons
Including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives and other knives that are banned knives under UK laws, tasers and stun guns. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.

kronckew · 1st August 2017, 12:19 PM

what royston said. it varies from post office to post office. many dealers will not ship 'weapons' of any age. some have no problems. i've had swords posted thru the mail recently, no problems at all. had another dealer refuse to ship a sword they just sold me. i had to drive 2 hrs there to pick it up. most of them that refuse to mail them refer you to a company called 'mailboxes' that will pick it up, pack it and courier it on to you. they are expensive. just had a langseax sword delivered from the netherlands by royal mail's parcel force. took 3 days. no customs/border force, or duty. all depends on the whims and interpretation of the people running the local post office and his interpretation of the regs (which do prohibit firearms, but not legal edged weapons). never had any problems with items bought and shipped via ebay & their couriers or parcelforce tho.

Jens Nordlunde · 1st August 2017, 12:30 PM

Sorry the wrong link.

31st July 2017, 07:26 AM	#6
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	It is not banned but Royal Mail employees can be awkward. They have to ask the contents and some of them think that knives and swords are banned, the local post offices appear to make up the rules as they go along. Using the correct name often works I.e "old Dayak Mandau " instead of sword as they rarely ask what it means. Native agricultural impliment or tool can also work. Regards Roy This is from their website. Note " banned knives under UK law" NOT antiques per se. Items NOT allowed. Weapons Including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives and other knives that are banned knives under UK laws, tasers and stun guns. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays. Last edited by Royston; 31st July 2017 at 07:37 AM.

1st August 2017, 12:30 PM	#8
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Sorry the wrong link. Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 1st August 2017 at 05:19 PM.

31st July 2017, 05:18 AM	#2
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	I received a 17th cent. Polish saber from a UK seller just 3 months ago, no problem whatsoever. It came via ParcelForce and was not even opened for inspection by US customs. Just weeks ago, a seller on the Continent shipped a flintlock gun dating from the same period, he sent barrel and stock separately and again, it entered the US without any inspection. But not long ago, someone else in the UK advised that Royal Mail would not accept antiques of any kind -- perhaps on the basis of not wanting to deal with claims for loss or damage (UPS used to deny antiques outright a few decades ago). I have not had the opportunity to verify this piece of advice and, as with the recent news received by the originator of this thread, it may or may not be correct.

31st July 2017, 05:28 AM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	I purchased a sword recently from the UK and I didn't receive it yet as the seller said the carrier refused to take it and said it is a weapon. So now he is looking for another carrier.

31st July 2017, 07:15 AM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Estcrh It's true most of the carriers now don't want to ship weapons, even within UK. It really depends of your seller as I don't think that is prohibited. Best, Kubur

1st August 2017, 12:19 PM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	what royston said. it varies from post office to post office. many dealers will not ship 'weapons' of any age. some have no problems. i've had swords posted thru the mail recently, no problems at all. had another dealer refuse to ship a sword they just sold me. i had to drive 2 hrs there to pick it up. most of them that refuse to mail them refer you to a company called 'mailboxes' that will pick it up, pack it and courier it on to you. they are expensive. just had a langseax sword delivered from the netherlands by royal mail's parcel force. took 3 days. no customs/border force, or duty. all depends on the whims and interpretation of the people running the local post office and his interpretation of the regs (which do prohibit firearms, but not legal edged weapons). never had any problems with items bought and shipped via ebay & their couriers or parcelforce tho.