Sword Shipping

celtan · 12th October 2009, 08:01 PM

Guys,

Just found out that China and Russia have problems allowing sword imports.

Best

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

For European buyers,
Also important is to ascertain the place where the item is coming from.
It may happen that you are buying the piece from an European seller, setlle the respective payment with his European account, and then be told that the item is located outside Europe, whith its unexpected repercussion.
Instead of having your item coming through without any Customs harassment,
you end up having it inspected ... and seized; even though it may be an innocent harmless ethnographic piece ... which is something they expect you to prove ... with your sweat ... besides the heavy taxation.
I am narrating my experience.
Fernando

celtan · 1st November 2009, 01:23 AM

Just found this exclussion list on EBay. I wonder what's the problem with France, Gibraltar, Guernsey and Monaco?

Shipping to: Worldwide
Excludes: Africa, Central America and Caribbean, Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Russian Federation, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan Republic, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, North, Korea, South, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Albania, Belarus, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Italy, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Ukraine

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

Guys,

Just found out that China and Russia have problems allowing sword imports.

Best

M

Jens Nordlunde · 1st November 2009, 04:57 PM

Hi Celtan,

I have no doubt that your list is correct, but it surprises me, as in some of the mentioned countries modern weapons seems, almost to be floating around, so why forbid import of antic weapons?

Jens

kahnjar1 · 2nd November 2009, 03:20 AM

I can't help wondering who created this list. Seems to me most, though not all, of the countries mentioned perhaps are not "friends" of the US in the political sense??

celtan · 3rd November 2009, 02:15 AM

Hi Stu,

Probably not, but then, does any nation have true friends, even in the political sense?

Heck, sometimes even the members of _our own families_ are anything but friendly. And that's way simpler than in a a macro-social world scale.

I recall a saying long ago +/- stating that "there is no such thing as friendly nations, only nations with similar interests".

: )

Now, taking things a little less seriously, I believe that the mutual factor in the list might be far more mundane, probably poorly regulated mail systems, or Custom Laws that may confiscate "weapons" imported into that country. Whatever it might be, it would be good to know.

I'm amazed that Spain, Israel, Denmark, Switzerland, Turkey and Portugal are not included.

Take care!

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I can't help wondering who created this list. Seems to me most, though not all, of the countries mentioned perhaps are not "friends" of the US in the political sense??

bluelake · 3rd November 2009, 01:34 PM

South Korea (mentioned in the list) is a hard one to bring edged weapons into. It's not impossible, but you need special permits to do so legally. As shown in this newspaper article, the authorities in Korea are starting to get a little picky: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...117_48769.html

I had an experience with Korean customs several years ago that I now laugh about. I was bringing some antique arrows back to Korea for an archery museum here. When I picked up my luggage, I was stopped by customs and asked to open up the tube I had them in, which I did. Inside were many arrows, including a half-dozen antique (about 200 years old) bamboo arrows with razor sharp broadheads from India. The customs official touched the point with his finger and said, "This is a dangerous weapon; you can't have it." I assured him I could, and he argued the point with me. I even assured him I had Korean fletcher friends who could make even sharper ones for me; he said I was wrong. I further informed him that I've even had similar antique arrows mailed to me and they passed Korean customs. Nothing would convince this guy.

After a time, I asked him to please bring his manual with all the rules about what is and is not allowed. He said, "It's all in Korean," to which I replied, "That's o.k., I can read Korean." He was quite surprised, but brought the manual. Quickly, I found the pertinent section, which stated that traditional and Olympic archery equipment was exempt from the weapons restrictions.

He slammed the book shut, took it over to where a group of customs officials were and, a few minutes later, a different, young official came over and asked me what my job was. I informed him I taught in a Korean university. He then announced to me, "You are a professor. You are not dangerous. You may go."

broadaxe · 3rd November 2009, 05:01 PM

Importing to Israel: short blades are usualy of no problem - excluding automatic knives which are forbidden (you can, however, own an automatic knife and keep it at home). Up to most recent days importing swords was quite easy. Anyone who is a registered society (Ethnic & Historic Egde Weapons Collectors in Israel) member could import any "cold" weapon. As we were informed, an old regulation has been revived, saying any sword needs a special import permit per case/person, from the ministry of trade & industry. Pure beurocracy, + the fact we must pay VAT according to the items value, minding it's an antique of over 100 years old. New knives are subjected to cutlery value customs, which are naturally higher.
Intersting enough, being an axe collector, I imported over 100 axes in past. Any axe fell under "used tools" criteria, not weapon...

celtan · 3rd November 2009, 05:39 PM

I can just imagine the guys face when you told him he was wrong over and over again, then actually read to him the pertinent section.

This type of minor officials swell up like puffer fish, and rule within their little niches by cowing the "supplicants" with their uniforms...

Poetic!

So, professors aren't dangerous..? I have always believed that knowledge is the most powerful weapon of all.

Best

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluelake

South Korea (mentioned in the list) is a hard one to bring edged weapons into. It's not impossible, but you need special permits to do so legally. As shown in this newspaper article, the authorities in Korea are starting to get a little picky: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...117_48769.html

I had an experience with Korean customs several years ago that I now laugh about. I was bringing some antique arrows back to Korea for an archery museum here. When I picked up my luggage, I was stopped by customs and asked to open up the tube I had them in, which I did. Inside were many arrows, including a half-dozen antique (about 200 years old) bamboo arrows with razor sharp broadheads from India. The customs official touched the point with his finger and said, "This is a dangerous weapon; you can't have it." I assured him I could, and he argued the point with me. I even assured him I had Korean fletcher friends who could make even sharper ones for me; he said I was wrong. I further informed him that I've even had similar antique arrows mailed to me and they passed Korean customs. Nothing would convince this guy.

After a time, I asked him to please bring his manual with all the rules about what is and is not allowed. He said, "It's all in Korean," to which I replied, "That's o.k., I can read Korean." He was quite surprised, but brought the manual. Quickly, I found the pertinent section, which stated that traditional and Olympic archery equipment was exempt from the weapons restrictions.

He slammed the book shut, took it over to where a group of customs officials were and, a few minutes later, a different, young official came over and asked me what my job was. I informed him I taught in a Korean university. He then announced to me, "You are a professor. You are not dangerous. You may go."

Greybeard · 4th November 2009, 12:47 PM

Hello Celtan,

I never imported anything bigger than a large keris (blade length ca. 40 cm). Maybe some might consider this as a sword ... Anyway, it went through directly to my address without any difficulty. Maybe I`ve just been lucky so far.

I regret not to be able to give you a special advice. All I normally do is to order a piece, pay for it and then receive it ... Of course, there are the usual taxes and fees.

I`m awaiting a parcel, containing a nice antique keris from Singapore right now. Just hope it`ll work as well as it usually does ...

Best regards,

Heinz

1st November 2009, 04:57 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Celtan, I have no doubt that your list is correct, but it surprises me, as in some of the mentioned countries modern weapons seems, almost to be floating around, so why forbid import of antic weapons? Jens

2nd November 2009, 03:20 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,810	I can't help wondering who created this list. Seems to me most, though not all, of the countries mentioned perhaps are not "friends" of the US in the political sense??

3rd November 2009, 01:34 PM	#6
bluelake Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gyeongsan, South Korea Posts: 57	South Korea (mentioned in the list) is a hard one to bring edged weapons into. It's not impossible, but you need special permits to do so legally. As shown in this newspaper article, the authorities in Korea are starting to get a little picky: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...117_48769.html I had an experience with Korean customs several years ago that I now laugh about. I was bringing some antique arrows back to Korea for an archery museum here. When I picked up my luggage, I was stopped by customs and asked to open up the tube I had them in, which I did. Inside were many arrows, including a half-dozen antique (about 200 years old) bamboo arrows with razor sharp broadheads from India. The customs official touched the point with his finger and said, "This is a dangerous weapon; you can't have it." I assured him I could, and he argued the point with me. I even assured him I had Korean fletcher friends who could make even sharper ones for me; he said I was wrong. I further informed him that I've even had similar antique arrows mailed to me and they passed Korean customs. Nothing would convince this guy. After a time, I asked him to please bring his manual with all the rules about what is and is not allowed. He said, "It's all in Korean," to which I replied, "That's o.k., I can read Korean." He was quite surprised, but brought the manual. Quickly, I found the pertinent section, which stated that traditional and Olympic archery equipment was exempt from the weapons restrictions. He slammed the book shut, took it over to where a group of customs officials were and, a few minutes later, a different, young official came over and asked me what my job was. I informed him I taught in a Korean university. He then announced to me, "You are a professor. You are not dangerous. You may go."

3rd November 2009, 05:01 PM	#7
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Importing to Israel: short blades are usualy of no problem - excluding automatic knives which are forbidden (you can, however, own an automatic knife and keep it at home). Up to most recent days importing swords was quite easy. Anyone who is a registered society (Ethnic & Historic Egde Weapons Collectors in Israel) member could import any "cold" weapon. As we were informed, an old regulation has been revived, saying any sword needs a special import permit per case/person, from the ministry of trade & industry. Pure beurocracy, + the fact we must pay VAT according to the items value, minding it's an antique of over 100 years old. New knives are subjected to cutlery value customs, which are naturally higher. Intersting enough, being an axe collector, I imported over 100 axes in past. Any axe fell under "used tools" criteria, not weapon...

4th November 2009, 12:47 PM	#9
Greybeard Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 124	Hello Celtan, I never imported anything bigger than a large keris (blade length ca. 40 cm). Maybe some might consider this as a sword ... Anyway, it went through directly to my address without any difficulty. Maybe I`ve just been lucky so far. I regret not to be able to give you a special advice. All I normally do is to order a piece, pay for it and then receive it ... Of course, there are the usual taxes and fees. I`m awaiting a parcel, containing a nice antique keris from Singapore right now. Just hope it`ll work as well as it usually does ... Best regards, Heinz