Sword Shipping

[celtan]

Hi Broadaxe,

But, can you legally import antique swords to israel, after paying VAT etc...?

Germany and England had a similar mechanism in place, and it works reasonably well. That is, besides the aggravation of paying more to the govt.

How does Israel's mail compare to the US or British regarding shipments safety and predictability? Is it like Spain or Italy, where things often simply dissappear into thin air and nobody knows anything?

Best

Manuel

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Importing to Israel: short blades are usualy of no problem - excluding automatic knives which are forbidden (you can, however, own an automatic knife and keep it at home). Up to most recent days importing swords was quite easy. Anyone who is a registered society (Ethnic & Historic Egde Weapons Collectors in Israel) member could import any "cold" weapon. As we were informed, an old regulation has been revived, saying any sword needs a special import permit per case/person, from the ministry of trade & industry. Pure beurocracy, + the fact we must pay VAT according to the items value, minding it's an antique of over 100 years old. New knives are subjected to cutlery value customs, which are naturally higher.
Intersting enough, being an axe collector, I imported over 100 axes in past. Any axe fell under "used tools" criteria, not weapon...