importing Keris to UK

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

tom hyle · 18th April 2005, 02:35 PM

Or at least every legal power or rule they might use

. I know that in some US states (they're standardizing, but still there's a wild profusion of state and local laws over here) double edgedness is specifically a factor. AFAIK, though there's rarely any trouble about this, it is illegal to buy, import (from anywhere, United State, or not), and maybe possess, a double-edged blade in California and Massachusetts (though AFAIK enforcement is sporadic and selective); every place that sells such mail-order seems to have a warning about these two states and some won't even ship such to them. The mail seems to me to be significantly safer/less minded than luggage taken with, at least USA-wise. Also, I don't think you'll get in any worse trouble over an edged weapon in the mail than having it stolen or owing a tariff (in USA they're known to come knocking at your door over some pills or ivory), so I have often just sweated it until the thing came, then been glad when it does, but a friend who got hit ONCE with the taxes says they were more than the item is worth and swears "Never Again [source country deleted before it's repeated

]!"

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

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!

18th April 2005, 02:35 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Or at least every legal power or rule they might use . I know that in some US states (they're standardizing, but still there's a wild profusion of state and local laws over here) double edgedness is specifically a factor. AFAIK, though there's rarely any trouble about this, it is illegal to buy, import (from anywhere, United State, or not), and maybe possess, a double-edged blade in California and Massachusetts (though AFAIK enforcement is sporadic and selective); every place that sells such mail-order seems to have a warning about these two states and some won't even ship such to them. The mail seems to me to be significantly safer/less minded than luggage taken with, at least USA-wise. Also, I don't think you'll get in any worse trouble over an edged weapon in the mail than having it stolen or owing a tariff (in USA they're known to come knocking at your door over some pills or ivory), so I have often just sweated it until the thing came, then been glad when it does, but a friend who got hit ONCE with the taxes says they were more than the item is worth and swears "Never Again [source country deleted before it's repeated ]!" Last edited by tom hyle; 18th April 2005 at 04:52 PM.

18th April 2005, 06:05 PM	#5
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	#7
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.

18th April 2005, 01:38 PM	#1
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

18th April 2005, 04:30 PM	#3
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	#4
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	#6
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

19th April 2005, 03:07 AM	#9
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	#11
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!