Importing Teppo Into Japan.

[Chishiki]

Hi. I have an okimono sized teppo pistol which is full functioning. A friend of mine residing in Japan dearly wants it. The question is. What is the best way of getting it there? Can I take it in luggage and declare it the way I would a sword? Or will I get machine gunned on the spot?

 

Mark

[Baka Gaijin]

http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/import.htm

[Chishiki]

Thanks Malcom. Reading that firearms are prohibited full stop! Correct? Is a teppo considered a firearm in the eyes of the law or is there an exemption for antiques? Mark

[Brian]

Check out our articles section. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/17-articles/

Guido has a nice article there on importing and exporting swords into/out of Japan. I suspect that antique firearms are handled in a similar way, but will await confirmation.

[Bugyotsuji]

Mark, an okimono can be almost any size you like. Do you mean Netsuke? Is it signed? Will you be showing us any photos, drawings, even from a fuzzy distance?

You can send it legally or illegally but either way will not be easy. Carrying it in with no research, no advanced warning and no translation is courting trouble.