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Flying with a sword from Japan to NYC


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Hello everyone,

 

Normally we post mail swords from Japan to the US through EMS, and it works fine. Next month though a client is planning to fly from Narita to JFK business class with a 15th century Japanese sword within his checked luggage. He is Japanese.

 

We will apply for all exportation paperwork, so that's not an issue. I am just concerned if JFK will hold the sword or demand extra paperwork, etc.

 

I am hoping to hear from someone who has flown from Japan to the US and can give me some advice prior to flying. Also, any experience in regards to the process of paying duty, etc.

 

You may respond here or contact me privately at service@uniquejapan.com

 

Thank you,

Pablo

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Pablo, I flew from London Heathrow to JFK years ago with a blade. I wrote to the airline in advance describing the fact that it was an antique blade and in the luggage going in the hold. I was met at check-in by an airline representative who examined the blade in my baggage and sealed it with a security sticker. At JFK I was transferring to another airline on to San Fransisco so I decided I had better explain everything to US Customs. After collecting my bags I said to a staff member I needed to see a Customs official and was told to 'go through that door buddy'. On the other side I found my self in the general airport so I simply boarded the next plane and flew onwards. Nobody seemed to bother much in those days.

Ian Bottomley

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I have flown from Japan with both Nihonto and yari on 3 separate occasions. I fly out of Fukuoka and have never had any problems. The first time I just put them in my luggage. I was approached in line and taken aside. Two officers asked me to open the case and they used small flexible magnets to see if they were iron. Then they just waved me through. I have never heard of that happening to anybody else. The other two times I had the proper paperwork and had no problems at all. Everyone was curious, but that is all.

Jim

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OK, cool. So the overall feeling is that they probably won't make a meal of this. We'll have the paperwork prepared as I know Narita will demand this plus the NBTHK papers too. Then just see what happens in JFK, but likely not a lot to worry about, correct?

 

Thanks guys,

Pablo

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In 2006, flew from Sydney to San Fransisco, thence on to New York and return. I took a sword in my luggage and didn't have any problems, the Americans didn't care and on the return, the Australian Customs only wanted the tax on the purchase as they thought I had bought it in the US.

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a "sword" is not a problem, but you need to have paperwork for customs to avoid any duty, you should have paperwork, in english, that states that the sword is antique and the age, it should "look" official, maybe on a dealers letterhead, with that you can get through customs without a problem, if the customs agent wants to charge a duty remind him, kindly, that it is an antique, if hat does not work ask for a supervisor. The customs regulations state that you can import an antique without duty but some agents are not well trained.

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Mark,

 

To be honest, I did not know that customs regulations state that antiques were exempt from duty in the US. That is good news. Is there any reference to this online somewhere? Doesn't appear to be the case in the UK. Good advice on the professional looking paperwork/letterhead, will follow that.

 

Cheers,

Pablo

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Pablo,

Antiques imported in to the UK are exempt from duty. You do however have to pay VAT at a reduced rate (currently 5%). As with other areas good supporting documentation and using a good carrier (FeDex) makes the experience a lot smoother.

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All clear, so it is a VAT issue. Thanks.

 

If other members know the VAT tax rates in other countries in Europe and around the world that would be most appreciated.

 

Most of the time our clients don't pay any tax or fees when we ship their swords from Japan to the US, however we have had the odd instance that they were charged. Is that because certain states charge an import tax? Possibly Hawaii? Or was that just a mistake by customs. If it was a mistake, does anyone know if funds can be claimed back?

 

Thank you,

Pablo

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Hi Grey,

 

These were swords that were shipped to the US from Japan. I believe they were charged by the USPS when via a customs charge. We send using EMS from Japan. Seems odd that only a couple clients have had to pay when the vast majority do not. I thought it was a Hawaii thing because the shipment went via Hawaii towards its final destination.

 

Mistake on behalf of customs, no?

Pablo

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Every now and then I get a customs charge when items are returned from Japan, There appears to be no rhyme or reason as to which parcels are chosen for duty fees. I always send a letter contesting the duty (the items are always clearly marked antiques and that they are being returned to owner- and should be duty free. So far, I have always received a refund. Just an additional hassle.

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I just include a copy of the invoice where it states that the item is an antique. I also state in my letter that the item was being returned to me, that I am the original owner, and that the item was sent to Japan for a non-commercial purpose (exhibition, appraisal, repair, etc.). I have had to do this 3-4 times over the last 8 years and it has worked each time.

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How do you all get on with insurance?,recently had a problem, seems all usable and affordable carriers will not cover antiques,weapons,craft items etc, seems unless they can relate an item value to a guide,eg,Glasses, they will accept the money but decline the claim.

Yeah I know this is typical of insurers but just waht will they insure, I have checked their fine print but it leaves very little........

Specialist companies are damned expensive, should we just send uninsured?,would save a bundle.

 

:steamed: :bang:

Roy

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Specialist companies are damned expensive, should we just send uninsured?,would save a bundle.

Roy

 

I'm in the jewelry trade and it's common to send thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars worth of goods via Fedex, uninsured. The only safeguards are that the packing usually will have no reference to a jewelers or watch company - just initials or something similar. The basic idea is that by blending in, there's less loss. As you say, specialist insurers are very expensive - too expensive to insure every international shipment. So in my biz, millions of dollars of watches and gems are shipped uninsured every day, especially business to business.

If you are in the US, the absolute safest way to ship something is by USPS registered mail - it's all kept under lock and key during it's entire journey.

Not sure how much of this is applicable to nihonto, but thought I'd throw it into the discussion as a point of interest.

Aloha, John P

 

ps Pablo: never seen any additional fees or duties levied because something went through Hawaii.

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