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Post by craigd on Oct 27, 2010 18:22:45 GMT
Hi all, After holding a life-long dream of purchasing a genuine period katana (and at 39 that is a long time  ), I have finally purchased a Hanwei Mushashi Elite and Tori Elite as the next best thing from the US for import into the UK. The problem is that as I live in the UK I need to provide evidence that these weapons are indeed traditionally hand-forged and I was hoping someone could provide some guidance and what I need to do as I do not want to break any laws. I have spoken to about 7 or 8 different customs people and have been passed to Animal Imports (CITES) and Trade exports... so they have not been very helpful.  Regards, Craig |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 27, 2010 18:27:31 GMT
Of the members here that I can think of off the top of my head, I believe Hyoujinsama probably knows the most about traditional Japanese swords and forging methods. You can try pming him with your situation; he's a great guy and very knowledgeable, so he may be able to help you.
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Post by craigd on Oct 27, 2010 19:07:02 GMT
Thanks (and a very fast response) |
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Post by tom on Nov 9, 2010 1:30:09 GMT
Sorry to hear of your troubles, Craig. What was the response? Perhaps you could start a thread on how to import a sword into the UK.
Better yet, move over here to the US. Then you can buy whatever you want. We need guys like you over here.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Nov 9, 2010 1:48:11 GMT
If I recall correctly you need a license to import a Katana into the UK... one way to acquire one is to be an Instructor or student of JSA and have proof of such. Also, you need to verify that the sword in question has been construction in a 'traditional manner'... not sure what they consider to meet that standard tho.
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Post by Wes on Nov 9, 2010 2:40:34 GMT
What... No wall-hangers allowed in the UK? I don't quite understand this logic...
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Post by Ceebs on Nov 9, 2010 5:00:42 GMT
I believe it had something to do with gangs and the like. They would get cheap katana SLO's and swing away at each other/random people/other gangs
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Nov 9, 2010 5:05:56 GMT
Actually, I heard it had to do with someone high up in the government, possibly the prime minister himself, getting attacked by someone wielding an SLO katana.
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Post by Ceebs on Nov 9, 2010 5:37:54 GMT
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Nov 9, 2010 5:51:33 GMT
It's odd that criminals would consider the sword a weapon, but, judging by the number of stupid stunts with them, nobody else does. Eh, well, this isn't the proper place for that. Anyways, Sean kinda hit the nail on the head. What really constitutes 'traditionally forged' in the eyes of UK customs? Plus, if you have to be a JSA instructor, well, then I doubt there's much that can be done in that situation.
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Post by craigd on Nov 10, 2010 19:53:20 GMT
Thanks for all the replies, sorry for the late response! re. Ban. After a few tragic sword attacks hit the media headlines, the uk politicans made the ridiculous decision to ban all curved swords with a blade over 50cm in length. How this translates into the thinking that if you are a psycho you have just been stopped in your tracks I have no idea. The fact you can import/buy/sell a Straight bladed weapon, or use a smaller blade (which is obviously far more dangerous in enclosed spaces) doesn't matter as apparently only curved blades are used by violent people. Rant aside, there was an exception for MA practitioners and for weapons made before 1954 or made in Japan using traditional methods. Fortunately this was later amended with the Japan requirement removed, i.e. ' or was made at any other time according to traditional methods of making swords by hand.' As I am not currently a member of a Martial Arts association I need to rely on the above defence. From what I can tell it WILL be seized by customs and I will then have to prove the traditional methods that went into making the swords. The Hanwei Tori and the Hanwei Musashi both fall under the above defence and are sold legally in the UK by a number of companies. I have spoken to a couple of them who have been very helpful (blades-uk in particular) and on these forums Hyoujinsama has kindly provided me some very detailed construction information which I hope will ease the process. Anyway, they haven't been shipped yet as KoA are waiting for more stock but once they are I will keep my fingers crossed. As a side note, KoA have been excellent, providing great advice and suffering me changing my mind between the Tori Elite and Tori XL a couple of times (and hence the delay ). Thanks, Craig |
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Post by craigd on Nov 10, 2010 20:07:27 GMT
That is the crux of it, and here the Tori is easier to pass inspection than the Musashi being a folded blade. However it appears to be taken as any 'hand-forged' blade at the moment so I should be OK. You definitely don't need to be a JSA instructor, and indeed part of the amendment to the law was to allow collectors access to items such as these, and in all honesty I am just glad the amendment is there. That said, I have finally decided to be more pro-active in seeking out a dojo. It is not just the blades and the making and history of them that interest me, but also the martial arts and beliefs/traditions that surround them. I have wanted to learn a swords-based Martial Art for over 20 years and will be attending an HNIR Keiko this weekend and hopefully an MJER dojo from next week. Hopefully it won't be too demanding for a 39 year old father of 2 who has become far too lazy with old age. |
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Post by frogdude on Nov 12, 2010 20:01:28 GMT
The easy way is to buy from a UK supplier. I've looked into importing myself, but the cost and time involved is prohibitive. Southern Swords stock the Musashi range.
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Post by craigd on Nov 12, 2010 20:59:45 GMT
Ordinarily I would agree, but not with the recent offer on the Tori/Musashi where the cost to import is over 1-200 less than what they can import them for (and I couldn't have afforded them at UK prices).
That aside, I was very impressed by Blades-uk and rgw and when funds allow will definitely be buying an Iaito from blades-uk. (the don't list a lot of the Hanwei stuff they can get on the site?)
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Post by craigd on Nov 25, 2010 18:31:03 GMT
Quick update, My Swords say "Received From Customs - Charges to be paid", unless these are criminal charges :? it means my package has been cleared by customs and will be delivered to me once Parcel force send me a bill for the charges. Impressively smooth sailing for a UK import. So a big thanks to Hyoujinsama, I am pretty sure it was his wonderful explanation of the processes involved for these particular blades that was a huge factor in helping this pass through Customs. I added some additional snippets and also mentioned some websites that sell the blades legally in the UK. KoA were great and passed this info along with their own documentation after waiting patiently for over a week for me to give them the go ahead. So fingers crossed, my 1st traditionally made katana will be with me within the week, now to save up the next 20 years for a true nihonto.  |
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), I have finally purchased a Hanwei Mushashi Elite and Tori Elite as the next best thing from the US for import into the UK.
