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By peterqu January 28, 2011 in Nihonto
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peterqu
Posted January 28, 2011peterqu
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I have tried to ship some swords to the USA using Fedex and they have been returned with a note that they are a prohibited entry.Can anyone advise me what needs to be done to gain legal entry? Regards,Peter
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Brian
Posted January 28, 2011Brian
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Peter,
For the bargain price of economy airfare, I am happy to hop on a plane and deliver them in person 
'Bout time I visited the USA.
Hope someone has some decent options, as transporting swords seems to be becoming more and more hit-or-miss nowdays.
Brian
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mdiddy
Posted January 28, 2011mdiddy
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Peter,
How did you list the sword on your customs declaration? I'm wondering - and am curious to know - if it was rejected due to the declaration or if they scanned/opened the package and then sent it back.
I have shipped swords from the USA using FedEx and the first time I tried them they would not accept the package because of the description of the contents (i.e. "Japanese Sword"). When I changed the description to "Japanese Nihonto" and told them it was antique art it was accepted and made it to the destination.
Matt
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Grey Doffin
Posted January 28, 2011Grey Doffin
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But, if you don't tell them what's inside and there is loss or damage, they can claim their policies don't allow for shipping swords and you have fudged about the contents and therefore you have no insurance coverage. You lose.
The US Postal Service has no problem shipping and insuring swords; have you checked with South Africa Post?
Grey
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mdiddy
Posted January 28, 2011mdiddy
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therefore you have no insurance coverage. You lose.The US Postal Service has no problem shipping and insuring swords;
Grey - I handedly agree. USPS is greatly preferred and obtaining adequate insurance and registering a sword is always an option if particularly paranoid about losing it. I think the only thing FedEx can do is deliver internationally in a shorter amount of time.
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jeremy
Posted January 29, 2011jeremy
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I always had trouble using FedEx and DHL when trying to ship swords to the U.S. I have found only TNT and Australia Post seem to accept such items. Australia Post has a limit on the lengths they ship though, the package can not exceed 41 inches in length which is a hassle if trying to ship longer items. TNT will only ship swords overseas if it is being sent to a business address, and not a residential address. Just my experience.
Kind regards,
Jeremy Hagop
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Ed
Posted January 29, 2011Ed
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Regardless of your carrier, be sure to use the correct "Harmonized tariff code", this one step will likely facilitate smooth processing. This alerts customs that the item being shipped is indeed an antique or legitimately allowed, not some after market item which is not allowed.
Generally, I label packages; "Antique Japanese Art (Nihonto), greater than 100 years old", along with the proper tariff code.
I see this as legitimate terminolgy, and along with the tariff code, have never had a problem.
Once sent a sword to France via USPS, with the label just as above. It was damaged enroute, and insurance for restoration costs were awarded without difficulty.
I have always been leery of writing "Japanese Sword" on a package, just as well write "PLEASE STEAL ME".
One other note regarding FedEx, they also offer greater limits of insurance. USPS varies from country to country but the cap is $5K, whereas FedEx offers up to $50K. For higher end items, they are sometimes the only option.
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peterqu
Posted January 30, 2011peterqu
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Thanks to all of those who have responded. Yes ,the goods were descibed as ANTIQUE Japanese SWORDS and it seems that Fedex did refer to a US schedule of prohibited items before returning the shipment.I have therefore assumed that the situation is much the same as it is in the UK and that certainly with Fedex ,antiquity must be established.I am going to follow the description suggested by Ed and try EMS and will see what happens .I always insure separately with my own local broker.Interestly, I have two swords leaving the US this week in which I have asked the parties to use Fedex and I do not foresee a problem.Regards,
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Ed
Posted January 30, 2011Ed
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Peter,
Do you have the Tariff codes ?
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Brian
Posted January 30, 2011Brian
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A reminder to all that at the top of the For Sale section, there is a great post by Darcy and others, with all the info, advise, customs tarrifs etc:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2299
Well worth reading a few times.
Brian
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Jean
Posted January 30, 2011Jean
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I use Darcy's post each time I import something in France. For people interested I have even created a special Customs invoice directly issued from Darcy's post and my own experience with French Customs
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micha
Posted January 30, 2011micha
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Hi,
I've send a sword a few weeks ago from Europe to the Usa.
I've used UPS cause others (fedex ems,..) wouldn't insure antique above 1000 euro.
Be sure to mention that it's antique and don't forget to add an invoice with a clear description.
My parcel have been delivered in 3 days wthout any problems.
Price with insurance was around 250-300 euro.
Greetings
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peterqu
Posted January 31, 2011peterqu
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Hello Ed, I presume that you are referring to the Harmonised Code 97.06 which is what I use all the time.I got cold feet on my way to the Post Office to send by EMS the reason being that I took the trouble to read my All Risks insurance policy and one of the Exceptions where the insurance company is not liable is `Confiscation,requisition,detention or destruction by order of any Govt,public or Local Authority` which brings me back to`Is it lawful to import swords into the US?`Logically ,I know it takes place with proper disclosure and relating to Nihonto so I will conclude that it is lawful.However,I do not want to argue the point from the other side of the world and risk confiscation and destruction with no prospect of insurance.I have always favoured Fedex not only because of its speed of delivery but mainly because if there is a problem with clearing one can at least talk directly with the clearing agent and if necessary with the Customs official.With EMS that is very difficult .I think that a courier is the best option and will try TNT and maybe have another chat with Fedex.Regards,
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mdiddy
Posted January 31, 2011mdiddy
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Peter,
I would suggest it is lawful to import swords into the U.S. based on the Customs and Border Protection's list of Prohibited and Restricted items here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacat ... ricted.xml.
Some nihonto could fall into the category 'Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property', however I think those items are already controlled for by the Japanese government with Juyo Bunkazai and higher designations (informative read: http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/BM%20C ... NKAZAI.pdf). Should you try and ship a lost Kokuho into the U.S. you may have a problem, else I take from the CBP list that sword importation is lawful.
Matt
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peterqu
Posted January 31, 2011peterqu
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Thanks Matt,that is a big help.It is just what I was looking for.I will now take the matter up with Fedex which is my preferred courier.Regards,
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- 5 years later...
Darcy
Posted February 1, 2016Darcy
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Fedex is doing it again. Just quoted to me this
Please note FedEx USA Conditions of Carriage - http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/after-you-ship/terms/express-ground.html -prohibited items Para 6 - Firearms, weaponry and their parts (acceptable between the U.S. and Puerto Rico).
Please note that swords are regarded by FedEx International as weaponry and as such should not be accepted for carriage on our service. Please accept my apology that my colleagues in the USA advise.
Package already completed most of its transit and arrived in the UK. They are treating it now as if it is radioactive, it is not allowed on their trucks because of this rule and it has to be picked up at the airport.
I am quite tempted to try to ship a pointy stick. I will label the pointy end as "use this end to injure someone" and the other end "use this one to hold onto it".
Every day, more headaches.
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jason_mazzy
Posted February 2, 2016jason_mazzy
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Peter,
Do you have the Tariff codes ?
Ed do you have a link to the most common tariff codes?
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Jorgensen
Posted February 2, 2016Jorgensen
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I always write content as "Antique Japanese NihonTo"... In that way you write its a (possible) Japanese sword in package... It have worked everytime
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Brian
Posted February 2, 2016Brian
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Ed do you have a link to the most common tariff codes?
http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/1860-importingexporting-and-customs-queries-and-advice/
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