Cost Of Sending A Blade To Japan For Nbthk Papers And Return Of The Blade

[b.hennick]

I did not want to hijack another person's thread. They are asking for a NBTHK papered tanto or wakizashi for $400-$1000. I started to write but thought I would hijack the thread and so started this one.

 

NBTHK papers - send the piece to Japan, pay the agent to receive and sheppard the piece through registration and take it to the NBTHK, pay the shinsa fee, pay the agent to deregister the piece and send it home to you.  So postage both ways, agent fees both ways, shinsa fees, time waited, risk of loss. I think that you would pass the $400 mark easily. Can someone provide actual costs for this?

[Pete Klein]

This is from Robert Benson's site:  http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/nbthk-shinsa-submission.html

[b.hennick]

At Pete's suggestion - here is info from Bob's web-site:

Information for NBTHK Shinsa and Sword Clearance into Japan for Work, etc.  as  of  March 21, 2012 

1.) Expected Costs: 

Postage to Bob Benson in Hawaii $35-75
a.) Postage to Japan     - estimated  US $35-75 
b.) Torokusho ( Japan Police registration) ¥ 6,300 
c.) NBTHK  Shinsa fees ( see  NBTHK ‘s  price list , Please look at the table below
d.) Postage for blade & the  certificate Japan  to us in Hawaii  estimated $35-$100
e.) Postage for blade & certificate back to you depends which country and method you want it mailed estimated $35- $100
g.) Our fee as sword agent for processing a sword into and out of Japan  is $300 per blade. One way is $200. 
      Fittings/ Koshirae handling  is $100                                    
     This covers us doing the  postal customs clearance , police registration  & Bunka Cho  clearance into and out of the country, shinsa 
     submission.  We take care of all required paperwork, photography, legwork, etc.

Roughly  $35 + $35 + $63 + $270 + $35 + $35 +$200  =$673

Note: I took postage at a minimum and the Yen at 100 to a dollar. 

Pay $1000 for a papered sword and the blade costs less than $327!

 

 

   

[Fuuten]

I thought it was obviously not a 'supposed" to be taken seriously..

[Kronos]

56300 Yen + postage to and from Japan through Paul Martin for Hozon which is imho the best value of all the agents, plus his service is terrific.

[b.hennick]

I checked and today that is about $515 + postage to and from Japan.. So it is less expensive. No need to mail to Hawaii then to Japan and back to Hawaii then to owner. 

[Pete Klein]

But - you still have to mail to him and pay return post from him unless you live close to him.  It's always an expense which is why it is important to do your own study first to determine if it all is worth it.