Shiroshinobi

I’ve lost access to my original account on the board, so I’m posting from this one. I don’t believe many in the Nihonto community are aware of the major legal changes taking effect on June 28, 2025, which will significantly impact antique collectors who purchase items from outside the European Union. The law in question is the Import Licensing Regulation for Cultural Goods (EU Regulation 2019/880), which was passed in 2019 and is now coming into force. While you can easily find the full legal text online, here’s what it essentially means in practice. From that date forward, any cultural good over 250 years old, regardless of value, will require an import licence to enter the EU. This licence must provide documented proof that the item was legally exported from its country of origin. The application process can take up to five months, and there’s a major catch: the licence can only be applied for by someone who holds an EU EORI number, which is currently issued only to VAT-registered businesses. In other words, private individuals will not be able to apply. A further complication is that the licence won’t be issued simply because the item is genuinely an antique. The key requirement is evidence of legal exportation from the country of origin. This means that if you purchase a Japanese sword from a UK-based dealer or collector, they must be able to prove it was legally exported from Japan in the first place. If you’re buying directly from Japan, you’ll need proper documentation to show that the export is lawful. This could include official permission from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs or a formal invitation for customs inspection of second-hand goods. The aim of these regulations is to combat the illegal trade in cultural property. EU customs authorities are expected to assume that buyers may attempt to misdeclare the item’s nature, age, or period to avoid the licensing requirement—doing so is illegal and punishable by law. Furthermore, the applicant for the import licence must sign a legal declaration affirming the accuracy of all provided information. Due to Brexit, individuals and businesses based in the UK are not subject to this regulation. Antique imports into the UK do not require an EU licence, though they are still subject to 5% import VAT. For VAT-registered UK businesses, that VAT can be reclaimed. Personally, Brexit has spared my business from what would otherwise be a very difficult situation. Unfortunately, for dealers and collectors based within the EU, these new requirements pose serious obstacles. Professional antiques dealers who are members of CINOA are already aware of these developments, as CINOA has been actively lobbying against Regulation 2019/880. More information can be found on their website: https://www.cinoa.org. Dealers based outside the EU who wish to bring antiques into the Union—such as those affiliated with JAF—will need to obtain a temporary import licence. This process is relatively straightforward and familiar to those who regularly exhibit at fairs like TEFAF. However, if any of the imported items are sold, they must then have a full 2019/880 import licence before they can be transferred to the buyer and the buyer must have a EU EORI number. Dealers operating within the EU must also secure this licence to import items, regardless of whether the goods are for resale or exhibition. In practical terms, Regulation 2019/880 is deeply flawed and largely unworkable. It threatens to severely limit, if not entirely block, private collectors from purchasing antiques from outside the EU. While there is hope that a resolution or adjustment to the regulation may be found, for now it is crucial that the community is fully informed and prepared. Purchasing nihonto from overseas into the UK has become increasingly difficult. One of the main challenges is that couriers are no longer willing to handle weapons unless the sender has a special exemption and is recognised as a certified specialist packer. Adding to the complexity, many airlines are now adopting similar policies and refusing to transport weapons altogether. Given these restrictions, collectors are left with few options. Realistically, you may need to either source your nihonto domestically or consider exploring a different hobby altogether like buying armour! regards David

I am shocked at the insults being thrown here. I hope the subscribed version will not allow such people to vent off? This is not enjoyable. Why air your problems on an open forum only to play the victim when you are confronted? It seems that you are the magnet of mis-understanding. Societies, collectors and craftspeople should perhaps think very carefully before interacting with you.