Shipping swords from Japan to UK by courier finally a no go?

[Alex A]

Making a few enquiries about a sword and the dealer says he cant use EMS, so i says i know that, try UPS, had one come in not too long ago.

 

He replies, he don't think UPS will ship swords to UK now and checked with the dealer i used that told him "it was ok up until March".

 

Anyways, he will check with UPS himself.

 

Ps, when a dealer states "you want anything else besides swords", you know we are in trouble.

 

You work all your life, eventually pay off the mortgage and finally think you have time and a bit more spare money for the hobby, then it all goes to ****

 

That's life............. What can you do.

[Lewis B]

39 minutes ago, Alex A said:

 

 

That's life............. What can you do.

Well there's always the Japan Art Fair. And then drive it back across the channel. But I agree it's a sorry state of affairs. I'm fairly late to game and the current and increasing restrictions are cause for concern. At least in Germany it's still fairly easy to import antique nihonto. But for how long......

[Alex A]

Eventually, it will be a bigger issue for everyone, the way things are going.

 

 

 

 

[Lewis B]

At the end of the day I see personal courier services from Japan to Europe being the only viable option. Have you checked to see if the sword you're interested in can be shipped to the local office and then transported in checked luggage. Adds cost and time but certainly possible. 

[Alex A]

I have contacted a few people but to be honest, not too sure i want the hassle now.

 

The UK is an hard place to live at the moment, though sure there are worse places.

 

The dealer suggested find a new hobby. Already have a few but this was the main interest.

 

Perhaps higher end tsuba, dunno. Though saw a thread where folks were even concerned with those and descriptions for customs.

 

FFS, what a world.

[Matsunoki]

Trouble is we are not part of EU now so bringing anything in using any method attracts customs duties even from Europe …..that then brings into question having to prove the age etc. Antique is 5% but otherwise it’s 20%…..and in my experience they apply 20% and it’s up to you to prove otherwise.

Also if you risk it by not declaring it and get caught it’s probably bye bye sword.

Alex is right re his views on this country…..so disappointing and depressing.

 

[Alex A]

Colin, anyone, who in the UK has any stuff they are selling? Yokoyama, Tadahiro?, Hizen, in polish?????????lol

 

If only i could have bought your matchlock when you had it, Colin

 

Timing, wasn't meant to be.

 

More motorbikes it is, maybe.

[Matsunoki]

Birmingham Arms Fair Alex…….full of lovely stuff! I’ve got 5 swords left🙂🙂 and a few guns.

Shame about the matchlock….☹️

[Lewis B]

10 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Alex is right re his views on this country…..so disappointing and depressing.

 

You're really not selling a possible return to Blighty. Probably explains why I've worked so hard to get permanent EU residency. Should only be a question of a few weeks/months now. 

[Matsunoki]

5 minutes ago, Lewis B said:

Probably explains why I've worked so hard to get permanent EU residency. Should only be a question of a few weeks/months now. 

Smart move Lewis. We should never have left the EU…..we were conned into voting that way. I hope we rejoin one day one way or another. 

[Alex A]

Agree, definitely conned.

[Bugyotsuji]

1 hour ago, Matsunoki said:

Birmingham Arms Fair Alex…….full of lovely stuff! I’ve got 5 swords left🙂🙂 and a few guns.

Shame about the matchlock….☹️

Not mid-September again?

[Alex A]

Might have to be the arms fair in future, trouble is, im not an on the spot purchase kind of dude.

 

Personally, like to see something, study exactly what it is for a few days, then pull the trigger.

 

The last time i saw something on the spot at a fair was the matchlock the other week when i was on to you guys 

 

Don't know how many papered swords one comes across at the Birmingham arms fair?, that would help.

 

Its choice though, limited.

[Bugyotsuji]

It's getting more and more difficult, to know where to be, and how to be able to live legally and permanently there, and yet still maintain your options to move back if things go pear-shaped, or if you change your mind. There are so many beautiful places on this earth, but if you put down roots, will you be able to ever move freely again? Try getting permanent residence once more in the UK for example, if you decide you want it, and try buying property there.

 

All my adult life I have dreaded being backed into a corner, that moment where you are rendered out of options, i.e. check-mate.

 

"The home is where the heart is", maybe, but will the authorities allow it?

 

Edit, seeing Alex's reply. I'm like that too, like to take my time over purchases. I even encourage sellers to go ahead and sell what I am interested in, to try and save myself! If I come round again and it's gone, what a relief! If it's still there though, I'll probably buy it. (Brian from what I remember is more of an on-the-spot guy!)

[Bugyotsuji]

1 hour ago, Matsunoki said:

Smart move Lewis. We should never have left the EU…..we were conned into voting that way. I hope we rejoin one day one way or another. 

Need to draw up a list of firm conditions first, lessons we learned from that last time around. 

[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
 

[Matsunoki]

Thanks Desmond. I have mentioned this legislation a couple of times on the Forum but I think it is largely going un-noticed and there are going to be many EU collectors with serious trouble on their hands. Swords stuck all over the world but especially in Japan whether with Japanese dealers or for Shinsa.

It is bureaucracy gone totally mad.

 

3 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Edit, seeing Alex's reply. I'm like that too, like to take my time over purchases.

I’m exactly the opposite!…for better or worse!

My days dealing in Japanese Art taught me not to hesitate. “The time to buy something good is when you see it” was the advice I was given very early on. When that approach does backfire on you simply sell it, forget it and go buy something else! 
I remember several instances when I’ve been standing behind someone at a show or a fair. He has picked up something really nice and is pontificating and trying to talk it down. I’m praying “please just put it down and go think about it”….and the utter joy when he puts it down and says he’ll be back in a few minutes…..and the look of horror when I pick it up and say “sold”. It’s dog eat dog out there!  Who dares wins (most of the time🙂)

I once had a fight break out on my stand at a large show caused by just such an event. 
Anyway what’s that got to do with anything…..🙂, sorry. 

[Matsunoki]

3 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Not mid-September again?

21st September and 7th December. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Ah, thanks, Colin, the 21st might just be workable....

[Alex A]

57 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Thanks Desmond. I have mentioned this legislation a couple of times on the Forum but I think it is largely going un-noticed and there are going to be many EU collectors with serious trouble on their hands. Swords stuck all over the world but especially in Japan whether with Japanese dealers or for Shinsa.

It is bureaucracy gone totally mad.

 

I’m exactly the opposite!…for better or worse!

My days dealing in Japanese Art taught me not to hesitate. “The time to buy something good is when you see it” was the advice I was given very early on. When that approach does backfire on you simply sell it, forget it and go buy something else! 
I remember several instances when I’ve been standing behind someone at a show or a fair. He has picked up something really nice and is pontificating and trying to talk it down. I’m praying “please just put it down and go think about it”….and the utter joy when he puts it down and says he’ll be back in a few minutes…..and the look of horror when I pick it up and say “sold”. It’s dog eat dog out there!  Who dares wins (most of the time🙂)

I once had a fight break out on my stand at a large show caused by just such an event. 
Anyway what’s that got to do with anything…..🙂, sorry. 

 

I get that, and can only imagine the buzz you get when you pull it off.

 

It would work for me a lot of the time, if only if what i see i know about.  Much of the time its swords without papers with issues such as dodgy polish or tsuka falling bits. From time to time you see some good swords by well known smiths but without the study time i talked about there is a good chance your buying a gimei, not a cheap gimei either. There was a Shinshinto katana at the last fair in koshirae, unsigned, old polish with scratches on the blade. Looked ok but when the guy said £2k, i just thought about what's available from Japan or elsewhere for that kind of money. Was only thinking earlier about how often you see old swords in the UK, with koshirae but parts of the koshirae look modern, as in tsuba or menuki. Its like someone buys a sword in koshirae with missing parts and botches it back together with ebay modern stuff, seems pretty common.

 

Anyways, hoping the Birmingham arms fair will be better. Though would expect high prices and lack of choice compared with simply shopping online.

 

On a side note, as anyone seen the prices at Lanes Armoury lately?. Kind of watch their prices just to see how things are going in the UK sword market. They appear to be very high lately (higher than usual), maybe due to hassles with shipping, maybe realised folks cant import them and see an opportunity.

 

[jawob]

Throwing the baby out with the bath water. Feel sorry for you guys. I'm afraid this will do more harm to honorable people than the wrongdoers. Government can't seem to understand. Always allowing a few bad apples spoil the bunch. I am sure antiques collectors will be organizing to state their case, as this goes well beyond nihonto. 

[Matsunoki]

57 minutes ago, jawob said:

I'm afraid this will do more harm to honorable people than the wrongdoers

Spot on Jeff.  Why punish the guilty few when you punish the many  innocents. 
Send a few of the smugglers to jail for a good stretch and that might just deter a few.…..or prosecute the local “officials” who are in on the illegal exports. It’s riddled with corruption. Never mind, let’s be seen to do something even if it is unworkable. 
Arghhhhhh, makes me so mad. 

[Alex A]

This is crazy.

 

Parcelforce refuses to take antiques as imports but this company (just as one example) that sells repros lists parcelfarce as its main service within UKsending to anyone over 18

 

International Orders

[Alex A]

Its back on!! 

 

Had an email from AOI ART, see response below. Seems there is another courier.

 

Anyways, its all hanging on by threads so if you plan on buying from Japan and not paying an hell of a lot to get it here, would try now.

 

 

 

Shipping by UPS is "sometimes "available.

We say "sometimes" because it takes more than 2 months to arrive or fail to arrive.

But sometimes it works. It depends on each shipment.

 

So we use OCS as the alternative shipping company.

But the shipping fee would be 60,000 JPY + 5% of its price as the insurance fee. 

 

 

 

[Lewis B]

Crazy. 60,000 yen PLUS 5%. Well that kills shipping from AOI.

[Alex A]

Il be honest Lewis, i think thats ok.

 

When i used to send sword via Parcelfarce abroad. When folks wanted it insuring it was roughly same price, £280 back then.

 

Think i paid £260 for a sword a few years back, with insurance.

 

Im glad they are trying.

 

Think maybe the other dealer i was talking to quit before any effort, understandable if dont want hassle.

 

Ps, would imagine a shipping agent being more expensive, never used one.

[Brian]

Getting close to the price I pay for a return airfare to Japan 
Probably easier to fly there, have a decent sushi meal and fly back with it. 

[Alex A]

I get it, 

 

Though if folks pay god knows how many thousands for swords, then £300 is peanuts on top (insured with dealer)

 

Low value swords, then definitely no.

 

Though that's just my point of view.