shipping tsuba to Japan now regulated??!

[rkg]

Hey guys,

 

Has anybody had trouble shipping tsuba (and I guess other Japanese sword fittings) to Japan lately?

 

While in Japan I was tipped off to what appears to be a change in how the Japanese Authorities interpret

their import rules WRT. tsuba - some of their customs droids are apparently now considering them to be

"part of a weapon" and therefore restricted - which I guess is true if you read the USPS customs info

(copied from usps website, I added the highlighting of the clause of interest)

 

"

PROHIBITIONS:

 

No list furnished.

 

RESTRICTIONS:

 

The maximum value of a GXG shipment to Japan is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.

Banknotes; securities payable to bearer; coins, gold bullion; bills of exchange; letters of credit; and other payment orders are subject to the conditions laid down in the law concerning foreign exchange and trade control.

Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be sent in registered letter-post shipments or insured parcel post.

Firearms, including handguns, pistols, machine guns, and rifles; other types of weapons, including daggers, swords, spears, and switch blade knives; and the components of firearms and weapons may not be imported into Japan unless the intended recipient has received prior permission from the competent authority (i.e., the Public Safety Commission) in the prefecture in which that person resides.

Meat products are prohibited unless accompanied by an inspection certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

Customers who fail to electronically file their export information may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. If you need further assistance with AES filing requirements, contact the U.S. Census Bureau on their toll-free hotline at 1-800-549-0595 =, Option 1 - AES Assistance, Option 2 - Commodity Classification Assistance, Option 3 - Regulatory

"

 

Just a heads up in case anybody cares...

 

Best,

 

rkg

(Richard George)