Shipping Nihonto to Germany. HELP!

[mike yeon]

I'm hoping that someone here can help me with a shipping problem I'm having. I sold one of my wakizashi to a collector in Germany. (I'm in the U.S. BTW).

 

This is the first time I've sold anything internationally. I went to the post office, filled out the customs declaration, but they won't accept (or they say German customs won't accept) "ANTIQUE Japanese SWORD" as a description (or any sword/knife for that matter!)

 

The buyer assured me he's had sellers ship nihonto to him from the U.S. in the past. He's not sure how they did it. So I'm asking if anyone here knows anything or can help.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

mike

[Martin]

Hi Mike,

 

I bought two swords from the US so far and never had problems receiving them.

If I remember correctly the sellers declared it as a "Japanese antique". But by the way - you are allowed to possess antique swords in germany so I can´t really understand what they told you...

Maybe just try to declare it as a "Japanese Antique" - that should be working.

 

cheers,

Martin

[Stephen]

is right just put Japanese Antique or Japanese Nihonto, I often use for appraisal or restoration that seems to help everyone. you might want to go to a different PO too. :lol:

[mike yeon]

Thank you gentlemen. I also read the "RESTRICTED LIST" as far as sending things to germany and weapons, arms, etc. were on it.

 

I'll try at another post office. Maybe the clerk I spoke with was cowboying.

 

Thanks

 

mike

[andreas]

Hi,

Never had sent into German but, i have bought some blades from there without any problems sent into Finland, anyway it's eu area, dont know what differences that will make into/from US. Just good luck with another post office

[pcfarrar]

I sent a small katana to Germany a few weeks ago via EMS from the UK. No problems at all and it took less than 3 days.

[Ed]

Mike,

Weapons and arms are prohibited.

You are not shipping either, you are shippng an Antique work of Art.

Labeled "Antique Japanese Sword greater than 100 years old", should be accepted.

 

Keep in mind that writng "Japanese Sword" on a label, looks an awful lot like a neon sign saying, "STEAL ME".

 

I ship to not only Germany but all of Europe on a regular basis via USPS.

On the label write exactly this: "Antique Nihonto greater than 100 years old".

Be sure and use the "greater than 100 years old", this will assist your buyer in eliminating import duty taxes.

 

The employees at my branch of the USPS know exactely what I ship, and never give me a problem. The employees where you ship may need educating on the difference between art and weapons.

 

Previously when this was discussed here, I was told it was dishonest to omit the word sword, so you decide.

[mike yeon]

Thank you everyone. This helps a lot. The problem I ran into seems to be stating the pre-determined category the clerk needed to put into his system (not what I was writing on the the customs form.) The closest category according to him was "Antiques" and that brought up the red flag.

 

Anyway, I'll have to try another post office.

 

Much thanks to everyone.

 

mike