importing Keris to UK

Jens Nordlunde · 18th April 2005, 04:30 PM

Although most of the forumites, most probably, live in the States, there are some, living in Europe, which will soon have troubles - if they don't have it already. In Germany knives like katars are forbidden, and will most likely be confiscated if passing Germany, even if the destination is not Germany. Notice that a mail central for Europe is placed in Germany, and they decide what is sent on and what is confiscated/returned. Have a look here http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...threadid=50184
The Swiss rules can be found here, and they are to be changed http://internet.bap.admin.ch/ notice the rules for antic weapon. In Scandinavia a collectors licens from the police is needed to have a collection and to buy and sell, even antic weapons.

Andrew, would it be an idea that the rules in the different countries were put on the forum, and that they are updated when they are changed?

Jens

tom hyle · 18th April 2005, 04:58 PM

Oh, that would be such a great resource! A lot of work though. There are organizations analagous to the NRA, but dedicated to opposing anti knife or anti sword laws; perhaps one of them posts such information on a website, or perhaps even the NRA. Hmmm....when I'm up at night bored, maybe I'll check; now I've got (most of) the day off, and must/should do my errands and pay my bills

This stuff does scare me, though; it really does; it's frightening and disturbing.....

Henk · 18th April 2005, 06:05 PM

Vinny,

It depends what kind of keris you are going to import. Also the delivery service from Indonesia is important. There is one service that has never problems at the customs, but I know from a friend of mine that customs in Indonesia can be very nasty. When a package is examined and the customs have the idea that it might be a national heirloom (and they think very fast it is)it is confiscicated and examined by a museum. Takes a lot of time and trouble and you have the change your keris is lost forever.

However you have a reasonable change that your package will arrive without trouble. A keris with gold, ivory or fossile molar give the most problems.

Good luck!!

Jens Nordlunde · 18th April 2005, 07:27 PM

Maybe Tom did misunderstand me, what I meant was, that someone from different countries should give links to the web sides in the country where the rules for im/exporting of weapons were mentioned. Should any translation me needed, I feel sure that someone will help.

Plus the very interesting thing, that the Germans think they can decide what can be sent to other countries than Germany – as they seem to be a central post terminal in Europe.

To my opinion the collectors have been sleeping, while the politicians have been at work – now when was that last seen?

Jens

VVV · 18th April 2005, 09:07 PM

Jens,

License for edged weapons is just for Denmark among the Scandinavian countries. In Sweden f.i. all blades except balisongs and stilettos are OK to import without a license. The problem is however that most air-mail is shipped via Kastrup, Denmark, and even if it's "transit" the local agent sometimes refuses to send blades to US through Denmark.

Michael

Jens Nordlunde · 18th April 2005, 09:46 PM

Hi Michael,

You may be right, but the point is, that the politicians are closing in on us. Rightfully or not, but they are.

The only way out that I can see is, that the different countries work together, to make a unity, which can/should put some pressure on the governments, that collectors should be left out from these bands they are starting. I do agree, that it will not be easy, but I do also think it will have to be done.

Strange that so few of the members have something to say about this - as it is of great importarnce.

Jens

Andrew · 19th April 2005, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Andrew, would it be an idea that the rules in the different countries were put on the forum, and that they are updated when they are changed?

Jens

Hi Jens:

If someone were inclined to start such a thread, I'd be pleased to make it a sticky for reference purposes. Maintaining it, however, would be difficult. I'd propose to leave it open for the membership to add to it as things change.

Best,
Andrew

LabanTayo · 19th April 2005, 03:07 AM

'canos,
thats funny ian.
i guess i'm a flip'cano.

thanks for the customs tip. i'll be using it...

Ian · 19th April 2005, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LabanTayo

'canos,
thats funny ian.
i guess i'm a flip'cano.

thanks for the customs tip. i'll be using it...

Shelley:

Perhaps pinoy'cano.

Just make sure any documentation you have is legit.

Ian.

vinny · 19th April 2005, 09:22 AM

Hi Everyone

Thanking you all kindly for taking the time to respond and for all your advice. Very much appreciated. Very grateful.

Thanks and regards
Vinny

PS Capt Smash, good luck with yours!

Mark · 19th April 2005, 12:35 PM

Thread locked pending policy review. We currently have no guidelines regarding this subject, so we are considering whether we should have a policy regarding, or at least guidelines, for discussion of legal issues and their parameters and/or limits.

Something will be forthcoming soon.

Your friendly neighborhood Sider-Modharator

Mark · 19th April 2005, 10:36 PM

OK. I have re-opened the thread after editing certain posts and deleting others.

First, everyone should understand that this editing/deleting is no reflection on the poster.

We had no policy or guidelines in place, so there was no offense or foul by anyone. Us mods just got thinking, and thought that the absense of a policy on this issue might be a problem, so we froze things to consider what to do, and this is the solution we arrived at.

So, here is a guideline for discussing laws, regulations and legal issues (drum-roll, please):

Discussion of laws, regulation and legal issues, such as those relating to the ownership of edged weapons, or their transportation, importation or exportation, on the open forum is fine (and very educational and helpful besides), so long as suggestions for ways to circumvent said laws or regulations, such as shipping and/or labeling strategies, are not brought into the discussion.

This is for the protection of the posters, because some governement bloke with too much time on his/her hands and a yen for strict enforcement of the law may decide that someone is instigating or aiding and abetting a crime by making such suggestions.

Discussions of your own experiences with customs, local possession laws, etc. is fine, again so long as you do not discuss "strategies" for circumventing or avoiding them (even if it is simply suggesting a careful choice of words that tends not to excite the attention of the authorities).

If there is interest in exchanging such "strategic" information, I suggest using private e-mails.

Finally, I tried to be consistent in the editing and deleting. No one should be affended, and if you notice something I missed, or think something should have remained, feel free to send me a PM and I will check it.

18th April 2005, 06:05 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Vinny, It depends what kind of keris you are going to import. Also the delivery service from Indonesia is important. There is one service that has never problems at the customs, but I know from a friend of mine that customs in Indonesia can be very nasty. When a package is examined and the customs have the idea that it might be a national heirloom (and they think very fast it is)it is confiscicated and examined by a museum. Takes a lot of time and trouble and you have the change your keris is lost forever. However you have a reasonable change that your package will arrive without trouble. A keris with gold, ivory or fossile molar give the most problems. Good luck!! Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 10:18 PM.

18th April 2005, 09:07 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Jens, License for edged weapons is just for Denmark among the Scandinavian countries. In Sweden f.i. all blades except balisongs and stilettos are OK to import without a license. The problem is however that most air-mail is shipped via Kastrup, Denmark, and even if it's "transit" the local agent sometimes refuses to send blades to US through Denmark. Michael Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 10:20 PM.

19th April 2005, 12:35 PM	#11
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Poly review pending Thread locked pending policy review. We currently have no guidelines regarding this subject, so we are considering whether we should have a policy regarding, or at least guidelines, for discussion of legal issues and their parameters and/or limits. Something will be forthcoming soon. Your friendly neighborhood Sider-Modharator Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 19th April 2005 at 02:23 PM.

19th April 2005, 10:36 PM	#12
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Welcome back OK. I have re-opened the thread after editing certain posts and deleting others. First, everyone should understand that this editing/deleting is no reflection on the poster. We had no policy or guidelines in place, so there was no offense or foul by anyone. Us mods just got thinking, and thought that the absense of a policy on this issue might be a problem, so we froze things to consider what to do, and this is the solution we arrived at. So, here is a guideline for discussing laws, regulations and legal issues (drum-roll, please): Discussion of laws, regulation and legal issues, such as those relating to the ownership of edged weapons, or their transportation, importation or exportation, on the open forum is fine (and very educational and helpful besides), so long as suggestions for ways to circumvent said laws or regulations, such as shipping and/or labeling strategies, are not brought into the discussion. This is for the protection of the posters, because some governement bloke with too much time on his/her hands and a yen for strict enforcement of the law may decide that someone is instigating or aiding and abetting a crime by making such suggestions. Discussions of your own experiences with customs, local possession laws, etc. is fine, again so long as you do not discuss "strategies" for circumventing or avoiding them (even if it is simply suggesting a careful choice of words that tends not to excite the attention of the authorities). If there is interest in exchanging such "strategic" information, I suggest using private e-mails. Finally, I tried to be consistent in the editing and deleting. No one should be affended, and if you notice something I missed, or think something should have remained, feel free to send me a PM and I will check it.

18th April 2005, 04:30 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Although most of the forumites, most probably, live in the States, there are some, living in Europe, which will soon have troubles - if they don't have it already. In Germany knives like katars are forbidden, and will most likely be confiscated if passing Germany, even if the destination is not Germany. Notice that a mail central for Europe is placed in Germany, and they decide what is sent on and what is confiscated/returned. Have a look here http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...threadid=50184 The Swiss rules can be found here, and they are to be changed http://internet.bap.admin.ch/ notice the rules for antic weapon. In Scandinavia a collectors licens from the police is needed to have a collection and to buy and sell, even antic weapons. Andrew, would it be an idea that the rules in the different countries were put on the forum, and that they are updated when they are changed? Jens

18th April 2005, 04:58 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Oh, that would be such a great resource! A lot of work though. There are organizations analagous to the NRA, but dedicated to opposing anti knife or anti sword laws; perhaps one of them posts such information on a website, or perhaps even the NRA. Hmmm....when I'm up at night bored, maybe I'll check; now I've got (most of) the day off, and must/should do my errands and pay my bills This stuff does scare me, though; it really does; it's frightening and disturbing.....

18th April 2005, 07:27 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Maybe Tom did misunderstand me, what I meant was, that someone from different countries should give links to the web sides in the country where the rules for im/exporting of weapons were mentioned. Should any translation me needed, I feel sure that someone will help. Plus the very interesting thing, that the Germans think they can decide what can be sent to other countries than Germany – as they seem to be a central post terminal in Europe. To my opinion the collectors have been sleeping, while the politicians have been at work – now when was that last seen? Jens

18th April 2005, 09:46 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Michael, You may be right, but the point is, that the politicians are closing in on us. Rightfully or not, but they are. The only way out that I can see is, that the different countries work together, to make a unity, which can/should put some pressure on the governments, that collectors should be left out from these bands they are starting. I do agree, that it will not be easy, but I do also think it will have to be done. Strange that so few of the members have something to say about this - as it is of great importarnce. Jens

19th April 2005, 03:07 AM	#8
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	'canos, thats funny ian. i guess i'm a flip'cano. thanks for the customs tip. i'll be using it...

19th April 2005, 09:22 AM	#10
vinny Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Posts: 31	Hi Everyone Thanking you all kindly for taking the time to respond and for all your advice. Very much appreciated. Very grateful. Thanks and regards Vinny PS Capt Smash, good luck with yours!