kenk

Thanks very much, Brian, for your response. I've printed out a copy of the very informative and useful link. Thanks also, Guido, for your advice. I'm leaning towards taking them with me personally, but, as a dealer that I know in Japan has offered to visit the Int' Post Office in Tokyo to take care of the licensing papers for me (after I provide some kind of proxy letter or power of attorney form), I'm considering that as well... Thanks again and all the best, Ken

Hi All, I'm going to be moving to Japan at the end of December of this year, and am planning to bring the 2 swords that I own (1 shishinto; 1 shinsakuto) with me. I understand that I can either (i) take them with me on my flight to Narita, then declare them at Customs, where they'll give me a temporary license which I would then need to follow-up with a formal license; or (ii) send them via the mail and have them held at the Tokyo International Post Office until a designated date on which they will be inspected prior to issuance of the license. Have any of you gone through one of these procedures or both? If you have any suggestions on which approach would be preferable (in terms of convenience; reduced risk of loss or damage; surety in getting a license; etc.), I'd be very glad to hear them! Thank you! Ken