Ivory handle

Sajen · 3rd March 2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Nice keris Detlef. congrats with this bargain.

In the Netherlands I haven't had any problems with import either. (knock on wood

)
Although I hardly collect nor buy ivory object.
But mandaus that came from abroad where never stopped with questions about the hilt material.
Best thing here is to let the shipper describe it onthe parcel as antiques.
In that case I pay 5 or 6 % VAT.

Anyway.
Sirek, you write :

Amazing, they answered you ?!?
In the past I have tried to contact them about new made hornbill ivory (buceros vigil) objects that where offered on ebay, and I received no reply whatsoever.

Thank you Willem,

and I knocked on the wood already!

Here in Germany we pay 7% VAT for ethnograhic items and I will be happy to pay it when it passed!

sirek · 4th March 2010, 08:24 AM

Its because I have no experience with buying ivory abroad, therefore I have collected this information.

and I would add: it is not only the recipient that takes a risk, but also the seller

I wanted to share this information which I have received, so maybe someone can use this. And I would just say: even though its a litle risk, there is a risk.

(on the other hand: its all in the game Win Some Lose Some

)

Tatyana Dianova · 4th March 2010, 09:26 AM

Detlef,
Be very careful with the ivory import!
I have bought once in the USA a nice antique Netsuke made from ivory, and it was confiscated by the German customs. If the customs will open the parcel and will see the ivory, and if the CITES papers are not included there, it will be 100% confiscated!
The seller should recieve the CITES paper in his country before sending the ivory - there is no way for you or him to get CITES paper afterwards!!!! I have contactes CITES, I have contacted people in German customs and some German ministry responsible for nature (I do not remember which exactly :-), but there is really no way to get your ivory back from customs hands, if they fetch it without papers! Even if it is really more than 100 years old!
Even more painful was the fact that after the confiscation this very ministry has started an investigation about illegal import of ivory from my side, and said that it is a criminal thing! I think that they wanted to get some money from me, but I was lucky (and clever :-) enough to explain all this matter in such a way that they left me in peace :-)
If I would ever again buy ivory outside the EU, I would contact the seller and ask him to make the CITES papers before sending....

A. G. Maisey · 4th March 2010, 09:41 AM

The red tape and costs associated with import/export of ivory are such that it is a practical exercise for something like an antique harpsichord with ivory keys that is worth $25,000, but for something worth at most a few thousand dollars it is absolutely impractical.

This is the case in respect of the application of CITES regulations in Australia : USA trade.

Tatyana Dianova · 4th March 2010, 01:45 PM

Detlef, It seems that all the parcels are XRayed by the customs on arrival in Germany. When they see a knife or a sword they normally send this parcel to the local customs office, where you should come personally to prove that you are older than 18 years (and pay taxes :-) And normally when you come and open your parcel there, they take a look what is inside (at least at my local customs office in Chemnitz). And in this moment you may get some troubles :-)
Good luck!!!!!

Rick · 4th March 2010, 02:16 PM

Sorry for the edit Tatyana; but we have a rule against discussing how to circumvent Customs .

Tatyana Dianova · 4th March 2010, 07:08 PM

No problem, Rick - and pardon me...

schmoozer · 4th March 2010, 10:16 PM

You are lucky it did not get bumped from eBay in the US. They no longer allow the sale of any item with ivory, regardless of age. Even using hte word in describing celluloid can get it bumped...
I must have been alseep at teh wheel to miss that one! Congratulations!

4th March 2010, 08:24 AM	#2
sirek Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 171	Its because I have no experience with buying ivory abroad, therefore I have collected this information. and I would add: it is not only the recipient that takes a risk, but also the seller I wanted to share this information which I have received, so maybe someone can use this. And I would just say: even though its a litle risk, there is a risk. (on the other hand: its all in the game Win Some Lose Some ) Last edited by sirek; 4th March 2010 at 08:38 AM.

4th March 2010, 01:45 PM	#5
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 741	Detlef, It seems that all the parcels are XRayed by the customs on arrival in Germany. When they see a knife or a sword they normally send this parcel to the local customs office, where you should come personally to prove that you are older than 18 years (and pay taxes :-) And normally when you come and open your parcel there, they take a look what is inside (at least at my local customs office in Chemnitz). And in this moment you may get some troubles :-) Good luck!!!!! Last edited by Rick; 4th March 2010 at 02:16 PM.

4th March 2010, 09:26 AM	#3
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 741	Detlef, Be very careful with the ivory import! I have bought once in the USA a nice antique Netsuke made from ivory, and it was confiscated by the German customs. If the customs will open the parcel and will see the ivory, and if the CITES papers are not included there, it will be 100% confiscated! The seller should recieve the CITES paper in his country before sending the ivory - there is no way for you or him to get CITES paper afterwards!!!! I have contactes CITES, I have contacted people in German customs and some German ministry responsible for nature (I do not remember which exactly :-), but there is really no way to get your ivory back from customs hands, if they fetch it without papers! Even if it is really more than 100 years old! Even more painful was the fact that after the confiscation this very ministry has started an investigation about illegal import of ivory from my side, and said that it is a criminal thing! I think that they wanted to get some money from me, but I was lucky (and clever :-) enough to explain all this matter in such a way that they left me in peace :-) If I would ever again buy ivory outside the EU, I would contact the seller and ask him to make the CITES papers before sending....

4th March 2010, 09:41 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	The red tape and costs associated with import/export of ivory are such that it is a practical exercise for something like an antique harpsichord with ivory keys that is worth $25,000, but for something worth at most a few thousand dollars it is absolutely impractical. This is the case in respect of the application of CITES regulations in Australia : USA trade.

4th March 2010, 02:16 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	Sorry for the edit Tatyana; but we have a rule against discussing how to circumvent Customs .

4th March 2010, 07:08 PM	#7
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 741	No problem, Rick - and pardon me...

4th March 2010, 10:16 PM	#8
schmoozer Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Seattle, Wa. USA Posts: 12	You are lucky it did not get bumped from eBay in the US. They no longer allow the sale of any item with ivory, regardless of age. Even using hte word in describing celluloid can get it bumped... I must have been alseep at teh wheel to miss that one! Congratulations!