importing Keris to UK

vinny · 18th April 2005, 08:39 AM

Hi

I am intersted in puchasing a nice Keris on ebay. It is in Indonesia. I am in the UK. Does anyone know if I am likely to enter any problems with customs?

Any advice greatfully received.

Thanks
Vinny

tom hyle · 18th April 2005, 09:11 AM

Dunno specifically, but it can be a can of worms. I know coming into USA gifts are not taxed, but commercial goods can be taxed on the sale value, or as far as I know, whatever value the government wants to assign (and I hear that this can get real ugly).

vinny · 18th April 2005, 09:54 AM

Hi Tom

Thanks for the advice. My Brother bought some keris a few years ago in Kelantan, and put them in his cargo luggage. The vendor wrote him out a certificate stating that the items were Malay antiques, as she said he might get problems with them being confiscated as weapons. I think things are alot stricter now. I have had a look around at customs websites etc, and I think bladed items are generally frowned on. But if its a bonafide antique? I dunno either.

Regards
Vinny

spiral · 18th April 2005, 10:52 AM

Ive imported many antique kukri into the UK, as long as not Ivory there is no problem, with swords etc.

The post office/customs often use metal detectors & xray equipment & subterfuge may not be appreciated.

Tax & fees seem to vary massively.

Spiral

vinny · 18th April 2005, 11:31 AM

Hi Spiral

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

Regards
Vinny

Jens Nordlunde · 18th April 2005, 01:38 PM

Hi Vinny,

I don’t know, so I can’t help you, other than advise you to have a look at the English Customs homepage. This ought to give you all the information you need.

Jens

Kiai Carita · 26th April 2005, 03:18 PM

Vinny, I go to and fro Indonesia and the UK and always bring at least one keris with me but not in my hand luggage. Sometimes I remember to explain beforehand that I have my pusaka but sometimes I forget but never have I had a problem with customs. I take the textile padding out of the hilt and wrap the whole blade in a respectful and perfumed bag so that the if one grabs the handle it will come off without the blade. I think this helps the customs people not imagining violence in assosciation with the keris. The keris is never intended to be a weapon rather it is a prayer and a symbol of God and the higher self of the owner. Further away from Java the keris developed more as a weapon but in Java most keris used to kill became cursed kerises. You should be able to bring the keris in via FedEx of UPS or some other shipping company. They know all the rules and regulations of importing anything.

Salam keris
Kiai Carita

vinny · 27th April 2005, 02:04 PM

Pak Kiai

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about postage. I do not think I will be able to get over this year, but hopefully next year. I like your tip on freeing up the Ukiran. Will bear that in mind when I next travel.

Fully appreciate everything else you said.

Regards
Vinny

18th April 2005, 08:39 AM	#1
vinny Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Posts: 31	importing Keris to UK Hi I am intersted in puchasing a nice Keris on ebay. It is in Indonesia. I am in the UK. Does anyone know if I am likely to enter any problems with customs? Any advice greatfully received. Thanks Vinny

18th April 2005, 09:11 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Dunno specifically, but it can be a can of worms. I know coming into USA gifts are not taxed, but commercial goods can be taxed on the sale value, or as far as I know, whatever value the government wants to assign (and I hear that this can get real ugly). Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 10:14 PM.

18th April 2005, 09:54 AM	#3
vinny Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Posts: 31	Hi Tom Thanks for the advice. My Brother bought some keris a few years ago in Kelantan, and put them in his cargo luggage. The vendor wrote him out a certificate stating that the items were Malay antiques, as she said he might get problems with them being confiscated as weapons. I think things are alot stricter now. I have had a look around at customs websites etc, and I think bladed items are generally frowned on. But if its a bonafide antique? I dunno either. Regards Vinny Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 10:14 PM.

18th April 2005, 10:52 AM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Ive imported many antique kukri into the UK, as long as not Ivory there is no problem, with swords etc. The post office/customs often use metal detectors & xray equipment & subterfuge may not be appreciated. Tax & fees seem to vary massively. Spiral Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 10:16 PM.

26th April 2005, 03:18 PM	#7
Kiai Carita Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 91	If The Keris Wants You Vinny Vinny, I go to and fro Indonesia and the UK and always bring at least one keris with me but not in my hand luggage. Sometimes I remember to explain beforehand that I have my pusaka but sometimes I forget but never have I had a problem with customs. I take the textile padding out of the hilt and wrap the whole blade in a respectful and perfumed bag so that the if one grabs the handle it will come off without the blade. I think this helps the customs people not imagining violence in assosciation with the keris. The keris is never intended to be a weapon rather it is a prayer and a symbol of God and the higher self of the owner. Further away from Java the keris developed more as a weapon but in Java most keris used to kill became cursed kerises. You should be able to bring the keris in via FedEx of UPS or some other shipping company. They know all the rules and regulations of importing anything. Salam keris Kiai Carita

18th April 2005, 11:31 AM	#5
vinny Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Posts: 31	Hi Spiral Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Regards Vinny

18th April 2005, 01:38 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Vinny, I don’t know, so I can’t help you, other than advise you to have a look at the English Customs homepage. This ought to give you all the information you need. Jens

27th April 2005, 02:04 PM	#8
vinny Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Posts: 31	Pak Kiai Thanks for the info. I was thinking about postage. I do not think I will be able to get over this year, but hopefully next year. I like your tip on freeing up the Ukiran. Will bear that in mind when I next travel. Fully appreciate everything else you said. Regards Vinny