Shipping Nihonto To France

[mdiddy]

Given the distinct presence of France on the board, I thought this might be a good place for my query:

 

I am trying to ship a blade to France. I'm pretty sure Nihonto and swords/knives e.g. are not prohibited from import/export (if I'm wrong, please do tell). However, I'm not sure what is the best way to label the contents for customs. How stringent are customs officers in France regarding 'weapons'. Are packages and/or contents known to be 'lost' depending on declared value? As well, can anyone recommend whether its best to ship through USPS vs. FedEx? Is extra tracking through FedEx worth the extra $$?

 

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Merci beacoup.

 

Matt

[Stephen]

USPS is my shipper, with out one problem so far, i never use the word weapon or sword, just what it is Japanese Nihonto, wakizashi ect. I even mail to UK with out a hitch as of yet...knock knock on wood.

[Brian Hancock]

Hi Steven,

 

Re postage to the UK. Give 'em time, give 'em time they will get you!

 

Cheers,

 

Brian.

[mdiddy]

Ahhhh - very wise. Just call it what it is - Nihonto. Thanks for the heads up!

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

I know many collectors or dealers who buy throught internet and received their blade here in France. So there is no restrictions.

 

You could write "Antique sword (old over 100 years )" except if it is gendai ...

 

Are packages and/or contents known to be 'lost' depending on declared value? As well, can anyone recommend whether its best to ship through USPS vs. FedEx? Is extra tracking through FedEx worth the extra $$?

 

Yes unfortuntly stolen parcels problem can happen. But it is not so extended and I don't know if it is based on value. So the best way it to take the tracking option. It is more expensive, but it the price for security. :D

 

Sebastien

[Jean]

Thre is an excellent article written by Darcy on how to label things and above all Customs codification (article made more than 100 years ago).

 

French customs don't give a damn of what is imported as lons as it is not drus, fire arms ...

 

Swords can be freely imported, just mentionned it as "Nihonto - antiques more than 100 year old+ customs duty code" be sure to join the proforma invoice + phone number of the customer which shall be contacted by the Agent company (in France - colissimo international) acting on behalf of French Customs to collect the Taxes. They set up a Rendez-vous with your Customer (Phone number imperative), deliver and collect taxes (Roughly 5%).

 

Don't forget to scan and send a copy of the proforma invoice to your customer as by experience, French Customs are too lazy to open the envelop on the parcel where all documents are available.

 

Customs agent are not specialized in Nihonto price and don't know anything about NBTHK - make it simple

[Jean]

Here it is :

 

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2299&hilit=customs+duties

[Bruno]

Hi Matt,

 

I live in France and what I know about sending swords to France is that it could be complicated if you do not write the right thing on the package.

 

In fact, it is allowed to send sword to France, but....french postmen have the right to refuse to deliver the package if they think what it is inside could injured them(sword, knifes, etc...). So your package could be stopped anywhere in a post office waiting for you to pick it up. It can be annoying!

 

To me, best thing to do is to write on the box something not explicit as "nihonto", or "gunto" etc... few people know what it is.

 

Regards

 

Bruno

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

To me, best thing to do is to write on the box something not explicit as "nihonto", or "gunto" etc... few people know what it is.

 

If so, you may have some delay on duty papers and would have to explain to chronopost (whom done the duty papers for you) what it is really : so a sword ...

If "antique" or "over 100 years old "is wrote on the parcel, you would paid 5.5% duty fees. If not it would be 19.6%

 

Sebastien

[Jean]

you would paid 5.5% duty fees. If not it would be 19.6%

 

In fact, it is VAT.

 

The invoice must be clear and give details+Customs code