HELP FOR SHIPPING

Rumpel · 22nd May 2015, 05:25 PM

Sorry for reviving this thread, but I was wondering if any of the Greek members in particular might know what the current laws are there for importing antique/ethnographic edged weapons, and whether it would be best to:

a) send overland, with furniture
b) by air, in the hold
c) by Fedex or similar.

Many thanks in advance for advice.

kronckew · 22nd May 2015, 06:00 PM

in the UK straight swords of any length are no problem. no age or mfg. requirements.

curved swords pre 1950ish are OK as long as you can document the age. new or old ones) ones that are 'traditionally hand forged' are OK, as are ones with blades under 50m cm. you can also import new ones not 'traditionally hand forged' if you belong to a recognised martial arts school or re-enactment society with insurance.

they were actually trying to ban cheap samurai swords and ran into trouble from martial artists & collectors.

i almost had a new filipino made chinese style dandao (25.8in./72.4cm. blade) confiscated by the UK border agency last summer because it was not described as 'traditionally hand forged' on the customs docs. it took me & the vendor many emails, paper document mailings, and photos of one being 'hand forged' in the phillipines, about three months to convince them to release the item.

p.s. - if you have more than one item in the shipment they confiscate the whole shipment (and destroy it) even if only one item doesn't meet the requirements. which are nonsense anyway.

Rumpel · 22nd May 2015, 06:03 PM

Thanks Kronckew. To clarify, I intend to export them from the UK to Greece: I just spoke to UK Customs who said there was no problem at this end, but couldn't provide any paperwork to smooth the path at the Greek end (which is what one shipping company asked for).

22nd May 2015, 05:25 PM	#1
Rumpel Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 63	Sorry for reviving this thread, but I was wondering if any of the Greek members in particular might know what the current laws are there for importing antique/ethnographic edged weapons, and whether it would be best to: a) send overland, with furniture b) by air, in the hold c) by Fedex or similar. Many thanks in advance for advice.

22nd May 2015, 06:00 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	in the UK straight swords of any length are no problem. no age or mfg. requirements. curved swords pre 1950ish are OK as long as you can document the age. new or old ones) ones that are 'traditionally hand forged' are OK, as are ones with blades under 50m cm. you can also import new ones not 'traditionally hand forged' if you belong to a recognised martial arts school or re-enactment society with insurance. they were actually trying to ban cheap samurai swords and ran into trouble from martial artists & collectors. i almost had a new filipino made chinese style dandao (25.8in./72.4cm. blade) confiscated by the UK border agency last summer because it was not described as 'traditionally hand forged' on the customs docs. it took me & the vendor many emails, paper document mailings, and photos of one being 'hand forged' in the phillipines, about three months to convince them to release the item. p.s. - if you have more than one item in the shipment they confiscate the whole shipment (and destroy it) even if only one item doesn't meet the requirements. which are nonsense anyway.

22nd May 2015, 06:03 PM	#3
Rumpel Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 63	Thanks Kronckew. To clarify, I intend to export them from the UK to Greece: I just spoke to UK Customs who said there was no problem at this end, but couldn't provide any paperwork to smooth the path at the Greek end (which is what one shipping company asked for).