Shipping Teppo from Japan?

[Malae5]

Hello

 

Can anyone explain the process to ship antique teppo from Japan to the U.S.?

 

Regards

Gene

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Gene,

 

First the hard news. Most people will not do it, and most international carriers will refuse nowadays. If there was an easy way, everyone would be using it, IMHO.

 

It is not impossible if everything goes right for you.

Find a dealer who would be willing to undertake this, preferably someone who has done the process before. They would need to legally deregister the gun. It would have to be wrapped and packed with all the necessary sales slips, statement as to age, declarations for customs, etc.

If you do not know this dealer personally, you might have to consider offering a payment to compensate them for the time and hassle involved.

 

This is why most J auction sites say they will not ship internationally.

 

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Peter Bleed]

The export "process" might be interestingly explored. Maybe anthropologists or political scientist would find that interesting. But, from a collecting point of view, it seems worth asking what is in Japan that cannot be matched by pieces already here. What are you looking at?

Peter

[Bugyotsuji]

Good question, Peter. I know there are many great examples already in the USA, and that would be the simplest answer.

 

It would help if Gene were to refine his request above as the topic is too broad to answer easily. At the same time I do know of some really stunning guns held in private collections within Japan.

[Alex A]

Dunno if this helps but ive found over recent years that dealers use UPS for shipping antique firearms

 

Paperwork needs filling in about why you are importing it and what exactly it is.

 

They have their own customs and have been very professional on 4 recent purchases, though not from Japan and not sure whether antique firearms are as big deal for shipping to the US. 

 

Saw a recent vid on youtube and it stated antique firearms in the US are not even classed as firearms. talking about non-cartridge/muzzleloaders.

 

 

[Malae5]

Thanks everyone for the kind replies and advice. I've seen a variety of pieces on Japanese sites that seem like good potential acquisitions. 

 

Yes, there are pieces in the U.S., UK, and Europe, but simply put, one should "shop around" so Japan seemed like a natural place to look for these types of pieces.

 

Regards

Gene

[Peter Bleed]

Gene,

I am jealous of your interest and curiosity. I wish you well. The reality is that there was great export of antique firearms from Japan to the US and the world beginning in the early 20th century. That dumped thousands of guns over here. There was another - smaller - wave after WWII.

American collectors were attracted to Japanese  hinawa-ju because they were cheap and fit the evolutionary thinking of the times. Everybody wanted to show the evolution of guns.

But there was a return wave - back to Japan -  starting in the 1980. Dealers bought those cheap Japanese guns and got them back to Japan. Once the guns sent BACK got to Japan, they were sorted, tricked out, and repaired - oh, and marked way UP. THAT'S what is in Japan now - nice, clean well assessed guns. There are still matchlocks available on this side of the pond - where they may be rather poorly maintained . They are not well-assessed, but they are priced at 40% to 50% the Japanese rate.

Given where you are, I'd urge you to buy local, buy books, and develop skills of restoration and maintenance.

[Bugyotsuji]

Although I agree entriely with most of what you say, Peter, you get both extremes in Japan.  There are also many mediocre examples bubbling up from out of Kura or wherever, that the dealers do not quite know what to do with. They can sell the kirikane decorated ones relatively more easily. Most of these guns need repairs of one kind or another. I have rescued some myself, where the dealer either didn't know or deliberately did not tell me what I was to discover subseqently. 

[Malae5]

Thank you all and I appreciate the input from the more seasoned collectors.

 

[paul tsubadotinfo]

On 12/31/2022 at 9:22 AM, Malae5 said:

Hello

 

Can anyone explain the process to ship antique teppo from Japan to the U.S.?

 

Regards

Gene

Hello Gene,

 

The process of exporting Teppo from Japan is the same as exporting swords. I am offering that service as an Agent from within Japan and also do the bidding on Yahoo auction items for my cutsomers. If you are interested, feel free to contact me.

 

Kind regards

Paul