shipping a gendaito to England

[rkg]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to ship a sword to somebody in England. As I haven't shipped a sword overseas in quite a while I need to know what the current "right" way to do this is.

 

He wanted me to use fedex - are there any problems with using them at this time?

 

Second, the piece is a gendaito, and I was wondering what the "correct" harmonized tariff code is to use with it. since its less than 100 years old, it would seem the

typical one for an antique sword (9706.00.00.60) is incorrect - do you guys use the one for "generic" historical artifacts (9705.00.00.70), or...?

 

And finally, since this is now a "controlled" item, is there any special declarations/paperwork/etc. needed on my part for this, or will the generic "Japanese fine art sword"

declaration do, or...?

 

Any input gratefully accepted.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[pcfarrar]

You need to use 9705.00.00.90 the collectible code. That way it will be charged VAT at the lower rate in the UK.

 

As long as you can get Fedex to ship it you will have no problem with customs in the UK.

[Clive Sinclaire]

Mr Richard

I have recently received a sword from Japan via Fed Ex and there was a 3 day delay. I was asked the length of the sword and whether it was curved, even before the plane had landed. They doubted my contention that it was already my property and that I had only sent it to Japan for appraisal (shinsa). I informed them that it was dated 1842 and antiques over 100 years old are allowable and it eventually was delivered OK.

If I were you I would attach a note addressed to UK Customs to the package, that states the value and that it is a traditionaly made sword post 1953 (not a mass produced tourist piece). This means it is in compliance with Home Office rules regarding offensive weapons.

All this may sound a little excessive but might prove invaluable in the end. Hope it all goes OK

Regards

Clive Sinclaire

[rkg]

Clive/Peter,

 

First, thank you very much for taking the time to reply! The guy who owns it figures he'll have to be paying VAT on it, so maybe that aspect isn't an issue.

 

Also, what's the story with the date it "needs" to be - I'm asking because its a dated WWII piece - does the law specifically classify those differently? Also, do they know what

"traditionally made" means, or does that need to be spelled out (made from tamagahane and water quenched), or...?

 

On the harmonized tariff code, in the 2011 USITC site/documents 9705.00.00.90 is no longer listed as valid number (their "new"allowable suffixes for the last two digits are are 30, 60, 70, and 91

in the 9705 category),and I was trying to choose the closest replacement:

 

http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

 

( go down to chapter 97 - great reading if you need to go to sleep or ship swords to foreign lands :-) ).

 

Thanks,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[paulb]

Richard,

The amended Crimnal justice act states in paragraph 3 that it is a defense if a sword is made prior to 1954 or made using traditional methods at any other time. This was put in to the act to ensure that WWII swords, even non traditionally made ones, were allowed to be legally imported. The modification, although regarded by many (well everybody actually) as ineffectual was targeted at the sale of modern reproductions and the modifications put in palce to protect collectors.

If you want a copy of the amendment send me your email address.

Re VAT- The rules regarding VAT seem a little vague and inconsistantly applied. As stated items that are antique which is defined as 100 years old are exempt from import duty and subject to a reduced tariff VAT (was 5% but this may have changed when the main rate went up). Showa-To and Gandaito are not antique and therefore may be subject to both. However I know some members here have listed the swords as "collectable item or curiosity" and been charged the lower rate.