Help shipping a sword from the US to France

[cplnorton]

I am shipping a sword from the US to France. I am shipping it thru the post office with priority mail. I was wondering if you guys could help me fill out the customs form so I don't screw this all up. This is the screens that I am seeing when I go to print the postage online. I understand the normal questions such as item value and quantify, but if someone could help me with the description and tariff codes and such. I ask the gentleman at the post office today and he said he had no idea. If figured as many times as you guys have shipping sword you probably know all the tariff's and everything to put. I just don't want to screw this up and either lose the sword or have it at customs forever. The sword is a WWII Japanese sword. Thanks everyone in advance.

 

Steve Norton from Van Wert, OH

 

 

 

 

[cplnorton]

Do I even need to worry about the commercial sender sections? I am not a company just an ebay seller.

 

Also what descriptions should I put it as? I imagine if I put sword I might have some trouble with customs. I saw on google someone said to put "Ancient Japanese Art, Nihonto, over a 100 years old." Is this what I would use?

 

Does this shipment require an export license?

 

Thanks guys!

 

Steve Norton from Van Wert, OH

[Brian]

Hi,

Try this thread for some info: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2299

Also, when using USPS to ship a sword, I would only use EMS (Express) as it is fast, reliable and trackable.

At this time of the year, expect delays and frustration.

 

Brian

[cplnorton]

Would I just put the Tariff Number as 9307.00.00.90 (swords).

 

 

I have no paperwork and don't even know the age of the blade. It appears older but it is unsigned, so I have no idea. The buyer said there are no taxes or anything he has to worry about in France.

 

Steve Norton

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Steve,

Every service the postal system has is trackable; you'll find the tracking # on the customs form for priority or on the Express shipping label for Express. You will find there is a $650 limit on insurance to France but you can ship without insurance and buy private insurance up to $1,500 from U-pic.com You don't need an export license. Priority is nearly as fast as Express and costs less (not like they have a slow plane and a fast plane). I don't think you have to bother with the commercial sender section. I would say antique sword on the customs label (not like they won't figure it out themselves if they wanted to). Pack well and make it difficult to open; it discourages the customs people from bothering to open.

Grey

[takakage]

The buyer said there are no taxes or anything he has to worry about in France.

 

Steve Norton

 

I'm very surprised by that.......He should pay the VAT.

Ems and usps are reliable for France.

[Jean]

Patrick is right.

 

USPS and EMS collect the VAT on behalf of the French authorities (acting as Customs agents).

 

The buyer shall have to pay 7% if the blade reaches France and passes customs before end of year. Beginning of next year, tax will be 10%.

 

Customer thinks there are no taxes on antiques and he is right but there is always VAT.

[Gunome]

Jean,

 

The buyer shall have to pay 7% if the blade reaches France and passes customs before end of year. Beginning of next year, tax will be 10%.

Customer thinks there are no taxes on antiques and he is right but there is always VAT.

 

A WW II sword is not considered as an "antique" because it is not older more than 100 years, so the VAT rate is 19.6% and will become 20% in 2 weeks.

[Jean]

Sebastien,

 

I was referring to antiques. It is obvious that any object imported which is not an antique, whatever it is, shall be taxed at the normal rate (except a rew objects subject to special regulations).

[Gunome]

Hello Jean,

 

We are in the same page.

I just add the case of non antiques because Steve said he tried to ship a WWII Japanese sword.

 

have a nice day

 

Sébastien