Job Discussion Forums

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:32 am Post subject: Japanese Sword to USA okay?

I want to buy a sword from, if it matters, the oriental bazar in Harajuku-Omotesando area. I don't think they are real ninja swords or anything, but they are really neat. I want to bring it home as a gift, can i do this? Can I get in trouble for it? I'm hoping somebody has an answer here, this forum always has the answers to everything for me! Thanks in advance!

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

You'd probably get stopped at the airport. The rules seem to be strict now-a-days.

It might be more expensive, but maybe you'd be better off shipping it home, but I might be wrong here.

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:16 am Post subject:

I don't have a problem shipping it, or checking it into my baggage, i would most definately not carry it on. But am i allowed to?

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/SwordLawLetter.pdf
http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?p=67599#post67599

Any reason you can't mail it home instead? Heed these safety precautions.
http://home.att.net/~hofhine/Shipping.html

Other considerations:
http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5726
http://www.munakatashiko.com/NewFiles/samurai_sword_shipping_and_exporting.html
http://japanese-katana.com/samurai_sword_after_hours_appointment.html

kahilm · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 43

I brought home a sword I bought at Japan Sword http://www.japansword.co.jp/ back in June. They wrap them up and put them in a box with a note on them declaring that it's a replica. I told the woman when I checked in that I had a replica sword in my checked bag and it wasn't a problem.

By the way, if you haven't bought a sword yet, I really recommend this shop. It's small and a little hard to find, but it's half a museum with real swords/tsuba/armor for sale (if you have tens of thousands of dollars) and replicas. The sword I bought, with a nice wooden mount, was about $250 I think.

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject:

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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seklarwia · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:14 am Post subject:

That was during my year abroad year at uni when I caught 14 flights in 12 months... absolute nightmare! Luckily on the first flight when I refused to be parted with about �300 worth of brand new cosmetics which the check in clerk had not told me would not be allowed pass security, I was allowed to go bag and check in the offending handbag.

I'm glad they allow small quantities of liquids and gels on board now, but I wish places sold travel sized contanct lens solution in 100ml bottles.

But yes, you are supposed to carry on your laptop and remove them from your bag at security and place them in a separate tray for scanning.

To the OP:

You need to check with your airline and airport security. Some airlines might not have a problem with you checking in or carrying on certain items, but the security in the airport might. I know UK airport security have a huge problem with any imitation weapons and toy guns.

projectrook · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 45

I don't know why when I read the OP to this I immediately thought of the scene in Kill Bill Vol.1, when The Bride is on the plane, on her way to Tokyo.

Anyways.....mail it. Safest way to do it.