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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 18:07:23 GMT
With the new TSA rules, will it be possible to bring a sword into the U.S. from Asia when coming home via airplane? Has anyone tried this recently? Obviously, it would be in my checked luggage which always seems to have one of those pretty blue forms telling me they have searched my bag.
I am a total newby to swords and know absolutely nothing about them. The idea was that I would get one for my sensei at my Karate dojo, but that got me interested in them. Specifically, I will be in Vietnam for a short visit and there are many available there.
Anyone have some suggestions? Thanks!
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 3, 2011 18:14:53 GMT
As I understand it... you should be totally fine to have a sword in your checked luggage.
Its not explosive or toxic... and you won't have access to it during flight, so its all good. I'm flying soon and had considered doing exactly that... but I'm uncomfortable with letting the airline handle my luggage... I don't trust them. However, while I was considering it I did some research, and found nothing to suggest that you CAN'T do it if your willing to trust the airline with your sword.
Now... since you are flying international from Asia to the United States... the only thing that could be an issue would be the origin of the sword. If we are just talking about a modern day replica of little value... then no problem. If its an antique from the country your leaving or something of value from that region... you may run into customs snags with the legality of exporting it. If that is the case... I suggest you looking into the export laws where you will be leaving from.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 18:17:45 GMT
Thanks! I don't imagine that I will be bringing anything but a replica this time, but if I can find a source of decent swords then I might look into that since I go to that part of the world 2 or 3 times a year for work. If I could bring 1 or 2 back each time, what would be good ones to get?
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Post by Miekka on Jan 3, 2011 19:50:05 GMT
I would definitely check with your airliner to get specifics as to whether or not they allow transportation of a weapon like a sword. Many airliners require that weapons be inside a guncase with some form of lock from what I understand.
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Post by MEversbergII on Jan 3, 2011 20:18:48 GMT
If you have friends or family here in the states, mail it to them instead.
M.
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Post by Hiroshi on Jan 5, 2011 6:09:10 GMT
That is a much better idea!!!
If someone in the baggage dept wants your sword your fcked. You really wont have any recourse.
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Post by Bradleee42 on Jan 5, 2011 15:51:21 GMT
And if it is in a guncase, it HAS to be a double locking mechanism. Key and rotary ( like a briefcase lock) . And I would suggest Metal, not crap stainless shell, but an actual Aluminum case.
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Post by Bogus on Jan 7, 2011 0:20:15 GMT
Yeah, I would suggest just shipping it. As far as TSA rules go you can even carry guns and ammo in your checked baggage provided you declare it, but international travel complicates things as you have to worry about import/export laws of both countries involved. If you don't know much about swords I don't recommend buying them overseas, there are a lot of dishonest merchants that prey on tourists by selling them crap billed as quality stuff. You probably don't want the blade flying out of the handle and impaling someone the first time your sensei swings it around.  |
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Post by Cold Napalm on Jan 9, 2011 19:55:31 GMT
Just a quick note...you can't bring ammo. That's been against the TSA rules forever as it's an explosive.
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Post by Bogus on Jan 9, 2011 20:59:54 GMT
Oh but you can. Which makes perfect sense when you think about it since otherwise thousands of cops, field agents, bodyguards, etc. wouldn't be able to do their jobs, to say nothing of private citizens (I know a guy who carries when he travels due to threats against his life). But, as TSA and Miekka say the particulars vary based on airline, and it wouldn't surprise me if some of them prohibit it entirely.
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jan 9, 2011 22:15:11 GMT
Thanks for the link, Bogus- that site also has another page that lists all sharp objects that are prohibited/allowed for carry-on and checked luggage, and I've been wondering as I'm going to be flying to WI soon and want to take some swords and knives. According to the link below, swords and knives are fine for checked luggage, but obviously not carry-on. I'm not sure what complications international travel would add, however. www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm-Slayer |
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Post by Midori Kawakami on Jan 9, 2011 22:25:34 GMT
I had no problems transporting my swords in locked gun cases, but this was five years ago and only cross-country. I too believe shipping would probably be a safer option.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2011 0:44:25 GMT
Well, I guess I'll mail it as that seems to be the best option. Thanks for the input. How do I know if it is any good? Is there some way to test it before I buy it? I could ask some people there to recommend a reputable dealer.
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Post by Midori Kawakami on Jan 10, 2011 0:52:36 GMT
Unfortunately, I know of no reputable dealers or forges with base operations in Vietnam (it is entirely possible that they are there and the western sword market just hasn't caught wind of them, but I don't really know). If you could tell us specifically the type of sword(s) you're looking to invest in, we could better help you with what to look for in a good sword and what to avoid in a bad one.
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Post by Maynar on Jan 10, 2011 1:07:03 GMT
There's Citadel Swords in Cambodia (Phnom Penh). Not Viet Nam, but right next door. www.citadel.com.kh/Citadel makes excellent production swords, so they're not cheap by any means. But if I were going to buy a sword in SE Asia and ship it to the States, Citadel would be the manufacturer I'd buy from. Their quality would make the whole effort worthwhile. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2011 2:38:25 GMT
Thanks Maynar. I plan to be in PP later in the year and I'll check them out.
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avery
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Post by avery on Jan 11, 2011 4:27:00 GMT
I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll add my 2 cents; I've flown in and out of the U.S. numerous times, dealt with the T.S.A. and other foreign agencies; I've never had a problem checking any blades as long as I declare them. What I tend to do is get to the airport early, tell the check-in agent I'm bringing a sword in my checked luggage first thing and ask if there are any worries. The most I've ever had to do is either fill out a "duty" form or a "declaration" form.
I've never had to lock anything, as a matter of fact I put a kukri in a tool box with a lock, and they asked me to leave it unlocked untill inspection. That flight was with U.S. Airlines last year.
I think it boils down to good communication between you and your airline. Be nice, respectful, accomodating, or in my case sometimes drunk and they will do what they can to help you out. The problem comes when folks get an attitude about their stuff, saying things like "you can't look there" or "that's none of your business". Just be laid back, listen to what they tell you and work from there.
Something else; as I said, I go the airport early. Early enough so that if there is a problem I have a back up plan ready to go. Even though I may check my bags, I give myself as much time as possible to hang out without the worry of lugging my crap around. Get there right at check in, that way if there's a problem you've got time to run to the nearest post office. And if all goes well, you can hang out at the airport bar. And I've never been to an airport that didn't have a bar within a mile.
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Post by Cold Napalm on Jan 11, 2011 6:01:34 GMT
Humm...something is wrong then. Either the website or my TSA badge certificate course if off then since in my course, we were told that ammo is specifically not allowed. Ah well, something I can bring up when I have to get re-badged I guess. Not that I ever flown with ammo. I just bring the gun and use local ammo.
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Post by Maynar on Jan 16, 2011 23:39:40 GMT
It's not removed, just edited. (and not completely) :? Excise the demon, I say! *waves sword* And you can remove this too, mister admin- I'm all good. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2011 11:15:16 GMT
Well, I'm in Vietnam now and I think I have a lead on a sword.....but it sounds kinda shady......I'll let you know after I meet with the "contact" in a couple of days, lol.
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