Brian Posted May 8 Report Posted May 8 Nothing to panic about. It has been this way for years. Every year we get a handful of people who have this problem, and have to jump through hoops to explain the species of ray. If you search the forum, you'll see the classification of the ray we use and a few similar stories. But it's nothing new. Usually there are no problems, sometimes someone gets clever and decides to ask questions. Nothing has changed. It just depends on the clearing center and who decides he needs a checking quota filled. We don't have to change anything, just be aware it's a possibility. 1 Quote
Marcin Posted May 8 Report Posted May 8 (edited) 2 hours ago, Brian said: Nothing to panic about. It has been this way for years. Every year we get a handful of people who have this problem, and have to jump through hoops to explain the species of ray. If you search the forum, you'll see the classification of the ray we use and a few similar stories. But it's nothing new. Usually there are no problems, sometimes someone gets clever and decides to ask questions. Nothing has changed. It just depends on the clearing center and who decides he needs a checking quota filled. We don't have to change anything, just be aware it's a possibility. So how to avoid this or be sure nothing bad happen? Buying antiques pre 1945 with certificates for koshirae? There must be way to ensure yourself. Same rules goes for exporting and all from here selling mounted blades Looks like entire new market for taking. Edited May 8 by Rawa Quote
John C Posted May 8 Report Posted May 8 I'm curious if "ray skin on Japanese sword handle" is on an actual list somwhere or if the particular agent who flagged it happens to collect swords. It just seems like an obscure item that few people would know about. John C. Quote
Mushin Posted May 8 Report Posted May 8 I had this issue once with the Feds. The rayskin was not mentioned on the import paperwork and Wildlife officers in the CBP office threatened to destroy the whole package. I actually told them to keep the koshirae and send me just the shirasaya and the blade. They said they couldn't. The matter was resolved one the dealer supplied paperwork about the same wrap. But it was nerve-racking. Another potential area for big trouble are the little ivory adornments to the shirasaya. Those can end up getting the package impounded and ultimately destroyed. I have them removed by dealers in Japan before shipping and I have them replaced with black horn or fake ivory when they arrive. That said I have stopped ordering from Japan because of so many shipping headaches and the tariffs, which might be behind us soon. At least, I hope so! 2 1 1 Quote
Marcin Posted May 8 Report Posted May 8 (edited) 3 hours ago, John C said: I'm curious if "ray skin on Japanese sword handle" is on an actual list somwhere or if the particular agent who flagged it happens to collect swords. It just seems like an obscure item that few people would know about. John C. Ray skin is a ray skin. It's importer's duty to proove which ray it is. If it's allowed to import - proove it. :D I will try later to do some law interpretation as it is aplicable to other species. Imagine kurigata/kojiri/koiguchi made from horn XD. Normally lex retro non agit - law dsnt't apply to the past, but here We have year 1947... https://www.convelio.com/en/blog/blogpost/guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-cites/ So CITES works like backtrack penalty [enacting 1973]. I'm sure that Japan even as a party to the CITES goes around this convention with some tasty/cultural examples. I'm glad it's international law at least. American common law with all judicial precedents would be a nightmare to keep up. Edited May 8 by Rawa Quote
Gerry Posted May 9 Author Report Posted May 9 On 5/6/2026 at 10:00 PM, chi fan wong said: hi gerry, does it mean that the us fish and wildlife agents took the sword out and inspected it? if so are there any handling marks and such? curious to know what they did and if they were careful in the process. Oh, the sword was actually quite nicely repacked, and I couldn't find any signs of damage to the fittings or sword. I was initially concerned that they would have lost the NTHK origami, but those were included in the inner box as well. Quote
Gerry Posted May 9 Author Report Posted May 9 On 5/7/2026 at 8:05 AM, Mark said: glad it arrived safe. i had a terrible time with F&G some time ago, they confiscated a Yasukuni sword because there was same' on the handle i try not to send any same' out of the country, during my dealing with F&G i found out how to properly send same' out of the country and it was too much aggravation Oh my, they confiscated a Yasukuni-to based on the same in the tsuka? Gosh, I'm very sorry to hear that. Was there any way for you to appeal their decision, or was it non-negotiable? Quote
Mark Posted May 10 Report Posted May 10 it was a nightmare. took a couple of weeks, i had to pay a bunch of fees and penalties and finally it was sent to the new owner. after that i decided not to to sell mounted swords out of the country 2 Quote
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