shipping swords from japan

[Soulsmith]

I thought posting the bits and pieces I've learned through my experience shipping swords in and out of Japan. You all have had varied experience with mixed results, but here are stone-hard facts that are not about to change (the rest is up to the Kami of Public Servants ).

 

*** The information provided in this post are to give a general idea only and cannot be used as a solid reference for an actual transaction. One should consult a specialist in the trade before making a move that involves big bucks. ***

 

- Any genuine Japanese sword that is in Japan must be registered with the government, or otherwise it becomes automatically a crime (see news about NBTHK right now). Although nothing really happens (you are asked to register the sword), this is the procedure. The fact that it becomes a crime gives the police the leeway to look into it if they feel there's something fishy. If not, it's just paperwork and the "crime" is resolved.

 

- For a sword to leave the country, its registration must be exchanged for a certificate of exportation, which states that the sword is not a protected cultural property, which cannot leave Japan.

 

- For a sword to enter Japan, it *will* be stopped at the border for it must be appraised upon arrival to make sure it is a genuine nihonto, after which it has to be registered. If it is not, it must be returned to its sender, or destroyed, your choice. This appraisal takes place on days that are never set in advance, except for the EMS appraisal in Tokyo (once a month). This means if your sword comes in through another mean, it might take much shorter or longer time. In any case, it's never fast (i.e. you just *can't* carry a sword into the country, period).

If a sword was to enter the country without being declared at the border, it would create a lotta trouble for its bearer. Been there (someone didn't know about sword laws in Japan and just brought me the tanto without saying a word.. because it was a genuine didn'tknow, the police was nice, but hellavulot of paperwork. Next time I refuse).

 

- EMS, FedEx and other private carriers will all carry swords into and out of Japan. Each of them involves different procedures (EMS wants us to go the customs, FedEx does it for us, etc).

The freeze by Japan Airlines lasted only two months and everything has been back to normal ever since. I shipped a sword a month ago through EMS, another through FedEx, and am receiving one right now through EMS, no problems.

 

- I have never heard of mishandled swords in Japan (which doesn't mean it didn't happen, as I'm sure it did and although I've seen some less than professional manipulations at registration appraisal meetings, but nothing dramatic). Damage often occurs when the sword enters the destination country: custom agents are human, therefore curious about swords )

Making fake descriptions on package might seem like a trick to get through quietly, but I don't recommend it for many reasons, one being that Japanese tend to be very picky about this. You could create a lot more trouble by trying to avoid some. More often than not, the officials involved, both in Japan and abroad, just don't know much about swords, and tend to go suspicious (every time someone sends a sword in, he or she tells me the carrier first refused "can't send swords to Japan"… same thing on entering countries: officials often panic (quietly, they're Japanese ). The lesson is, you have to know the rules and laws and procedure in advance, so you can tell them — no bulls?%T, you have to work the truth, or it doesn't work!).

 

- Shipping swords out (exporting) of Japan requires that the package be accompanied by the export certificate, and an inspection by the customs office (to make sure the contents match the description). This can be done by you or an agent who works in your name (for ex. a dealer or the carrier).

 

- When shipping out, a new regulation states that anything that is above 200 000 yen in value must be accompanied by a special declaration, which no one at post offices or carriers' isn't really knowledgeable about yet (the procedure came into effect about six months ago, and not many individuals ship expensive stuff out). This can slow things down.

 

- Every experienced agent I met told me that all swords are worth 100 000 yen when they cross the border. In some case, this is about making a false declaration which I neither encourage nor suggest, but this is how the "pros" (no such thing exists as of yet) get their swords pass through without fuss. Be careful: fake declarations in Japan usually lead to Armageddon. The point of flexibility here concerns the value of personally owned antique swords: their worth is function of the market and we all know a sword that worth x today might very well be worth a fraction of that tomorrow. Therefore no one can be uptight about sword values. Senders will put a big value on the package "in case something happens" in the hope of recovering some of their money, but one has to know that carriers will usually cover up to USD $1000 for "art objects" and "antiques", no matter the price paid, unless some special (and usually economically unjustifiable) insurance is bought (FedEx once asked me the price of a sword for its insurance…). When a sword is linked to a financial transaction, it's another story.

 

- An agent's commission for importing / exporting a sword into / out of Japan is set at 30 000 yen / USD $300 per sword, or less (depending on the transaction). Dealers who are selling a sword usually offer the export preparation service for free. You shouldn't pay much more than that and you should pay for the right stuff.

 

- Actual shipment shouldn't cost much more than USD $500 for FedEx, and much less for EMS.

 

If you are not purchasing a sword from a dealer (in which case he will take care of the paperwork and proper "international-safe" packaging for you), you should hire an agent who knows what he's doing, will not make you waste your money and time and mostly will do everything possible so that the sword is safe.

 

This is pluggin' time: I do this as a business.

Assisting people get their swords into and out of Japan has allowed me to concentrate on my apprenticeship at first, and now it's part of my routine.

 

I have my procedures set up and nicely rolling. I know what ports of entry to use for what purpose, the timing, hints and tips by the plenty, and learning everyday. This is not a trade, it's a bloody art

It involves dealing with the Police, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Customs, the Board of Education, professionals in the field, local and international carriers, and lots of phone calls, in Japanese, during business hours.

Don't try this at home

 

In any case, if there's one advice I can give you: remain honest and true, it's the best way to go (at least in Japan). I've witnessed a guy trying to sneak a sword into Japan (asked for my help, but I happened to be busy then.. He almost got a criminal case.

 

Pierre

 

Swordsmithing, Apprenticeship: http://www.soulsmithing.com

Sword Trade, Import & Export, Photography: http://www.samurarts.com

 

*** The information provided in this post are to give a general idea only and cannot be used as a solid reference for an actual transaction. One should consult a specialist in the trade before making a move that involves big bucks. ***

[peterqu]

Hello Pierre,Thank you for the tips especially the information that EMS is now carrying swords again.I would like to add a few points arising from my experiences.The first is regarding insurance. Speak to your own broker, someone who you have an ongoing relationship with and with whom you can converse with locally in your own language if something goes missing. Mine charges me 1% of the insured value.Secondly,it is advisable to quote the free import tax code for antiquities , Code 97.06. I think it is an International reference. Ask the seller to copy the NBTHK papers or other if they exist and if he is a dealer to prepare a Antiquities Certificate which should contain details of the sword and a statement that it is over 100 years old or longer if it is known. The certificate and copy of papers should be included with the invoice on the outside of the box containing the sword.This just makes things easier for the Customs clerk.

 

I was with Ford Hallam when we met at dinner over the DTI period two years ago.Pleased to read that you have stuck to your apprenticeship. I remember how difficult conditions were for you.Regards,

[Brian]

Something needs to be clarified here though, and thanks for that info Pierre.

The story was never that EMS had stopped shipping swords..it is that EMS won't ship a sword if there is a secondary stop on the way to the destination. In other words, flights directly to the USA or Australia were never affected. But any place where the plane has to make a stop off...those places are banned from EMS shipments.

Now I have no idea if that is still the case. It may be that all the places you have shipped to have direct flights. However I know that South Africa couldn't get shipments if the package was declared as a sword, because airlines stop at Hong Kong , Singapore etc.

Could you possibly check on this? It affects quite a few of us in Africa, Europe etc.

 

Brian

[Soulsmith]

Thanks Peter!

This is good information. Insurance is never simple. Can you specify what country you live in? I'd be curious to know. I remember searching for such insurance in Canada and never found anything. What type of insurance would it be? At 1%, it can be a good deal.

 

Now someone else had once told me that you can always get insurance somehow, but the real problem is getting paid when there's a problem! They will do anything not to pay or to lower the value to be covered.

 

Thanks Brian. That is interesting data. I will try to check that out, but simply calling EMS has often proven unsuccessful: it's a bureaucratic labyrinth! I'll do my homework, though, I promess.

 

Peter, will you be at the DTI this year?

Things are going much better now, thank you. There'll have plenty to talk about around a camp fire in a few years from now

[peterqu]

Hello Pierre, Yes, I will be at the DTI this year for my annual fix. I will look out for you. I live in South Africa and the insurance cover is for `All Risks`. I will check and see whether it is an extention to my Householders Policy which covers my house ,contents ,car etcetera.

Brian ,to the best of my knowledge the problem arose with Japan Airlines which is the nominated carrier of EMS. JA apparently declined to carry swords as cargo.I hope that I am wrong and that has changed .In my opinion Fedex is the best it is a private company driven by high performance standards. Can`t say the same for our Postal Service. However, it is expensive and on top of the shipping out of Japan there is always another $200 + charge for customs clearing when it arrives .I don`t know whether that it a worldwide experience or is confined to SA.EMS would be a nice option.Regards,

[Kevin]

FedEx and UPS in the UK won't ship swords out of the country to anywhere. The parcel will get as far as being scanned at Coventry Hub, the scan will reveal that there are swords in it, and they will return the parcel to you. This isn't hypothetical. I've had exactly that happen, on a shipment headed for Japan. This then resulted in an extended conversation with UPS, which was reported elsewhere on this board. UPS were adamant that they would not under any circumstances accept a parcel containing weapons, and swords were weapons as far as they were concerned. Any future export parcels containing swords would be returned and the shipment declared void. FedEx UK and DHL take the same view.

 

The Post Office won't accept a parcel if the Customs declaration says that it contains a sword or knife. The counter clerk will give it back to you and refuse to take it. Sneak it past them by using the word 'nihonto' and, if they lose it, you'll find the limited insurance that you had is null and void because you've breached their terms of carriage.

 

As for UPS and FedEx, as Roy pointed out, there's a clause in their insurance that says that works of art, craft and skill are not covered, and neither are antiques. Consequently even if they did carry swords, you'd find the insurance you thought that you'd paid for was non-existent. The same is true of the Post Office.

 

Kevin

[Curgan]

BTW how do you send swords in the UK then?

[Kevin]

I've been using a fine arts shipping agency. We established upfront that they had no problem with swords and that they could offer 100% insurance. They generally take 2-3 days to deliver it. They can also advise on procedures for unusual places. The last place we enquired about was the Ukraine. We get them into all sorts of odd places. :-)

 

I imagine a lot of other people use the Post Office. As long as the Customs declaration doesn't contain the dreaded word 'sword', you're alright. I gather some describe it as 'ornamental metalwork' or 'nihonto'. Done it myself, years ago - you play the system. The counter clerk won't know any different and, once accepted over the counter, it is in the system. As a common carrier, they then have to transport it. OTOH, as Lindus recently discovered and wrote on this board, their insurance clauses mean that you are despatching it uninsured, even if you pay for insurance. You won't be able to make a claim in the event of loss or damage because of exemptions and a breach of their Terms of Carriage. You're better off saving your money and crossing your fingers.

 

Again, airmail is supposed to take 4-5 days. However, it can take much longer, depending on destination. Recently a couple of airmail parcels took nearly a month to get to Russia and Sweden respectively. It took them 3 weeks to get to the countries borders. It takes 3 weeks to get to New Caledonia, but that's understandable. There's one parcel still in transit to Mexico; we're up to the third week. Not sure I'd want to trust swords to airmail when they'd basically be uninsured. Items do get lost in airmail.

 

Kevin

[Kevin]

Incidentally, UPS, FedEx and the postal service have no problems shipping swords from elsewhere in the world into the UK. They've already been accepted into the system in another country. It's just shipping out of the UK that's gets them all bent out of shape. No, I can't see the logic myself, but those are the rules of the game.

 

Kevin

[Curgan]

Is crossing over (or should I write under?) the channel to France and shipping from there any more efficient? I imagine the art courrier will be a lot more expensive.

[Kevin]

Is crossing over (or should I write under?) the channel to France and shipping from there any more efficient?

 

Well, not for me. I'd have to travel to the other end of the country before crossing the Channel, all of which entails expense in itself. A return train ticket on the day from Derby is about £90, dropping to £20-£30 if you book it a couple of weeks in advance. That's a total of 6 hours travelling from Derby to St Pancras and back, so that's a day away from the family. Add in B&B, ferry or tunnel tickets and stuff, plus the cost of sending the sword when you get to France . . . it is cheaper to send it by the shipping agency. Not to mention the upheaval of our daughter missing Daddy reading bedtime stories.

 

I imagine the art courrier will be a lot more expensive.

 

It depends upon the destination and the availability of flights. Comparable to UPS for places like the US that have lots of flights. The Ukraine would be more a bit expensive because it is a bit off the more popular routes and would therefore be a special delivery.

 

Kevin

[Curgan]

You are right Kevin (I forgot you live in Derbyshire). A londoner might combine it with an excursion though...

[Kevin]

As my girlfriend remarked, she'd have to come with me because my French is abysmal, which would double the cost. It would also entail taking our daughter. Having a highly active and inquisitive Megan let loose on several trains would be entertaining. It's bad enough getting her down to Devon to see the rest of the family.

 

She's right about my French. My conversational Gaelic and Japanese was always better than my French, and I've forgotten almost all of those due to lack of use. Pity really - Gaelic was the one language that I'd started to think - and even dream - in.

 

The last time I tried to use French - in Paris - it resulted in mutual incomprehension. Probably not surprising - I was taught by people who had last used it on a daily basis during and just after WW2, so they were teaching 1940s French using 1960s methods involving grammatical rules to pupils who hadn't been taught grammatical rules even for English in the first place. The result was often a complete failure to learn the language. Trying to negotiate the French postal system - or a French courier - on my own would be a potential disaster.

 

BTW I might note that since we despatch the day after recieving payment, we'd be paying top whack for train tickets. On some occasions we'd be spending most of our time running over to France and hardly ever at home. I think my girlfriend would have something to say about the impact on family life, her business and running the smallholding. :-) She might be highly vocal on the subject. :-)

 

Kevin

[Lindus]

Shipping not a real problem, insured is another entirely, see my comments re the new exclusions instituted by virtually all first rank carriers.

Roy

[dukeJoe]

Gentlemen and Ladies

 

I just saw this thread there is a have a sword dealer living up the road from me (Tochigi prefecture Japan) who ships swords internationally quite a lot. So I`ll make enquiries with him during the week how he`s shipping at the moment he might be able to enlighten us as to the best way to ship from Japan at the moment. I`ll keep you posted.

 

Regards

 

David.

 

 

Good news for me. because I really want to have a sword made in Japan. I've been collecting swords made from different countries. this is really great for me. :D

 

________________________________________

gi joe sword - “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.”

[leo]

Once in a while I have to send a large shipment of blades to Japan for restoration works and papering. These parcels usually represent a considerable value and I hate to take a risk, especially if customer swords are involved. As I do not know a fine art shipper in Germany, I handle it this way:

 

There are a couple of large insurance companies who do transport insurance for antiques, jewelry etc. They charge between 1 and 1,5% of the insured value.

You just send a fax with the date of dispatch, the contents and the value and they fax a cofirmation back to you.

You can then pick an inexpensive air carrier like DHL and send it uninsured. Also you declare whatever suits you because insurance coverage is on your side! Tell them its machine parts or your grand grand ma´s chastity belt!

 

Interesting thing is, it also works on the way back from Japan! Same procedure.

 

The thing with large carriers is that they do not have an insurance at all or have their own insurance firm! They simply take the high insurance fees from the customer and in case off loss, pay it from their own pocket(if they pay). They make a lot more money that way. So you know why they try to avoid compensation in case of loss by all possible means(and usually find some excuse in their transport regulations!).

If I have a law suit wth an insurance company for compensation, I prefer it to be in my own country!

 

Regards to all,

Martin

[rudybro]

A friend had a sword sent Fedex from Tokyo to the UK and it didn't cost more than $200.

 

Yeah I also received a sword from Tokyo and it didn't cost that much.