Any other Canadians had their blades stuck at customs?

[dyn]

Hey NMB,

 

I imported a tanto from Japan, had it de-registered and shipped via EMS/Japan Post in about a month, but now it’s been sitting with the status of 

Quote

Item presented to import Customs
Handling office
VANCOUVER PACIFIC PROCESSING CENTRE （CANADA）

For a month and counting. Any actions I can take? Or does anyone else have any past experiences regarding how long I should expect to wait?

 

This is my first time ordering from a Japanese dealer, so I am just curious regarding the overall timeline I should expect. Is a month for customs out of the norm?

[Robert S]

Based on my experience, yes, it is out of norm.  I imported a blade last year from Japan to Canada, and it came through customs (same processing centre) in a few days.  I would reach out to Canada Customs... although getting any meaningful answer is probably unlikely, at least it will let them know you are on it.  Please do post what the outcome is, as I may be importing more nihonto, and would like to know if this represents something that we should begin to expect.

[Francis Wick]

Hi

 

From the US it’s been problem free. A quick stop to calculate fees and in its way. Anything through customs in Vancouver is a gamble, I’ve had lots of things stuck there not just Nihonto, batteries, battery connections all sorts of things. Best is to try using a tracking number and then using the courier to contact customs to find out what’s up. A month is not a good sign. One starts to worry about theft or loss. If it’s really expensive get a customs lawyer in Vancouver on it. 

[dyn]

I just received an email that it was held for verification from the CBSA. They just wanted proof it was old and how much I paid for it. Good thing it wasn’t lost, I guess it was sitting on a shelf waiting to be processed.

 

I think I was just unlucky and they just randomly picked a package to hold, hence the delay. 

[gatsu]

I have a sword that was just shipped out this week, I am in Vancouver as well.
Fingers crossed.

[Natichu]

I'm also in Vancouver, and had a sword shipped up from the States in May that cleared customs pretty well the same day it came in. Sounds like some bad border luck unfortunately!