admin
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Post by admin on Jul 13, 2020 10:05:51 GMT
About a year and a bit ago, after several years of sporadic issues shipping swords from the USA to the rest of the world, things suddenly got a LOT harder super fast.. We raised the issue in THIS slightly controversial thread - but over a year later, the time has come for an update to see where the heck are we up to know?
What, if anything, has changed? First off, I want to look at the current Mail Forwarders - how are they working for you if you are using them? And secondly, I want to hear about your most recent international sword imports, especially from the USA or Canada (though not from China, they can ship anywhere okay right now ). MAIL FORWARDERS - Are there any that still work?We are not affiliated with any of these companies, but on THIS PAGE on our site we suggest three possible companies to ship swords to THEIR US address and they consolidate the package and forward it on, usually at a very reasonable price. The current companies listed include: - Access USA/MY US
- US Global Mail
- Forward It
Any others you have used? And what have been your recent experiences with the shippers above? In this article www.huffpost.com/entry/5-reliable-parcel-forward_b_7134628 it recommends the best forwarding companies, but all but one specifically prohibit the transportation of sharp items. Only the final one - www.nybox.com/ - I cannot find their list of prohibited items.. So who knows..? Have to contact them and ask (but be prepared for them to say no). In theory, Access USA CAN STILL ship sword - but in 2017 clamped down on Katana due to the Rayskin. They have a page where they list what they CANNOT ship: www.myus.com/benefits/shipping/customs-help/restrictions/Indeed, the only things that come close are: - NO Firearms, guns & accessories, including replicas
- NO Ammunition, magazines & bayonets
- NO Law enforcement striking weapons, including saps, batons & billy clubs
- NO Skin or leather of snakes, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, and other reptiles or amphibians
Nothing about swords or knives, just bayonets in the same sentence as Ammo and Magazines... And I personally used them for years when I lived in Australia and never had a problem. US Global mail are a little more ambiguous, they list pretty much the same stuff as Access USA (I.e. No nukes, no human remains, etc) but have a clause 'no weapons'. And that, as we know, is an argument waiting to happen.. But, in the past, they have been reasonable and not defined swords as 'weapons' and more than a baseball bat.. At SBG's end, I am looking into a company called EUROSENDER: www.eurosender.com/en/prohibited-and-restricted-itemsBut its semantics again - they do prohibit 'weapons' but are set up for companies and individuals: www.eurosender.com/en/shipping-services-companies Anyone have any experience with these guys? USA2ME may be an option too: www.usa2me.com/site/Mail_Forwarding_Restricted_Items.aspxUnder prohibited items, they specifically mention only firearms - only their last caveat, which is a coverall statement "Any item that is deemed illegal, dangerous, illicit by USA2Me.com" - but I don't think they would apply it to well made swords.
www.parcl.com/May offer some promise as their motto is 'Anything to Anywhere' and take a kind of community approach: www.parcl.com/how-it-works/forwarder/Worth trying perhaps? Another company, "Parcels Forwarding" also does not mention sharp objects or swords as prohibited: parcelsforwarding.com/restricted-itemsPlanet Express might be okay too - planetexpress.com/faq/#items only restrictions seem to be on military grade weaponry under ITAR regulations.
!STOP THE PRESS!support.shippingeasy.com/hc/en-us/articles/205492376-Shipping-knives-with-USPS-UPS-and-FedEx-OverviewThey have a PAGE about how to package and ship sharp objects like knives and swords. THIS may be the company that changes everything... Not only do they not prohibit sharp object, they explain how they should be packed! Is this too good to be true?
And then there is "rehsip.com" - with the most ambiguous restriction I have ever heard: www.reship.com/terms-conditions.html
They list general military grade weaponry, etc. But end the paragraph they say "Basically, if it can be used as a weapon, we won't ship it."
So I guess they can't ship anything at all because I can't really think of anything that CANNOT be used as a weapon!!
Any other companies you guys have used recently with success? We need to know - because for many, mail forwarding may be the ONLY economical way forward..
COUNTRIES SEEMINGLY BUSINESS AS USUAL (USPS)
Specifically regarding orders going from North America to some other part of the world (not China, they are back to normal - just badly backlogged and jammed up) what recent experiences have you had? It appears that at this moment there are 6 countries outside of the USA that still allow USPS shipments:
- Switzerland
- Poland
- The United Kingdom (though get ready for a customs war)
- Australia (except Victoria, where a special permit is needed)
- New Zealand
- Germany (though the paperwork involved now is worse than ever)
Has anyone from any other country had any luck receiving a sword from Kult of Athena or another US seller (again, not China). I think they can still ship some items via USPS but mostly ship UPS express, and it can result is some really crazy charges.. For example, I tested the waters with a Polypropylene Dao worth 19EUROs. Only option to ship, UPS - and the cost? A little more than 5 times the cost of the actual item (which is small and lightweight!). For a real Dao, the cost is EURO175 (around US$200). Big jump from $60..
So please, let us know where you are, how you ordered, how it went - and if you use or know of any forwarding services that still work properly - or any countries where USPS still ship to okay...
Thanks guys, - Paul
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 13, 2020 12:11:26 GMT
I live in Costa Rica and use Aeropost.com as my freight forwarder. I know them as Aerocasillas, but I think that was the name they were going by 15 years ago when I discovered them. I have had no problems with them other than being arbitrary as I find ticos are. Sometimes the sword will come through without a hitch and other times I need government clearance first. They handle the paper work for me other than getting the government’s approval but supply all needed documentation in one package for me to submit. It is not cheap and I can expect to spend at least double the vendor’s price after all is done. I have had to obtain a lawyer at times to get through the government’s red tape even with Aerocasillas’ assistance. aeropost.com/site/en?gtw=SJO |
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Post by Dandelion on Jul 13, 2020 12:44:41 GMT
Customized Zombie Tools Deuce III arrived via Fedex, directly commissioned at ZT. Delivery was very fast until german customs. Then they started a big paperwork hazzle due to declaration stuff. I mailed the a link to the product, a short description, my payment printout from Paypal and Joey from ZT provided some kind of "art certification" and it moved along quick.
Before that i had a private shipment from SBG forumite "viscountx", a modded SBG Vorpal sword with grip and scabbard by Steve Huerta. Standard shipping via USPS, in a PLASTIC GUNCASE. No problems. About two weeks running time.
Beginning of the year two karambit knives from forumite "pattyb", standard USPS shipping, no problems.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jul 13, 2020 23:08:35 GMT
Finland should be ok for USPS too. Got an antique through USPS last year and it was the most horrible experience I've ever had with post offices. The item was just "stuck" in Miami for a month, then immidiately after contacting it arrived to Finland on the next day...
International shipping costs are getting so high in general as you add VAT that we have to pay in the mix that I probably will never get production swords from US ever again. Of course my own interest in production swords is not there anymore like it used to be. I will rather spend my money on books than production stuff.
I have never used mail forwarders as I have never had any problems in getting items to Finland. Unfortunately the shipping costs have risen so greatly in the last 5 years it is not economical to buy from US anymore, unless the sword is expensive to begin with. Makes it lot handier to buy within EU if I need or want a production sword.
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admin
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Post by admin on Jul 14, 2020 5:19:30 GMT
Pgandy: Aeropost sounds interesting. Will have a look presently. Dandelion: Yes, German customs are a pain. The 'art certification' is interesting and leads us back to the age old question. What is the best declaration description for swords that causes the least amount of panic. "Historical Steel Replica", "Sporting goods", etc. Having friends send a sword is one thing, but there are a lot of sword collectors who have no interest in forums or social media - but that service www.parcl.com/how-it-works/forwarder/ looks like they have done something like this in a formal way. But will it work for swords? Germany is ok for USPS still, just the paperwork side is a true nightmare every time.. Jussi: That's good news that Finland can still ship USPS, though when I tried to order that Dao again at KoA to Finlamd, the price was 200 Euros via UPS. :-( Shipping prices most forwarders use are usually much lower than a merchants ship to price as they have negotiated massive deals with the carriers and can consolidate multiple shipments and help with paperwork. But yes, with VAT and stores that sell direct charging crazy prices..
EDITED - QUICK UPDATE: As it turns out many of the forwarders that looked the most promising are set up for export companies, so its something I need to look into.. But there must be some valid options I am missing. Everytime I get an email from a non US buyer, I have to be the bearer of bad news and I am sick of it. A solution WILL be found.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 14, 2020 14:07:07 GMT
Sent PM listing countries they serve. You will find them in the drop down box new the top. I didn’t want to make it public as the link is part of my log in.
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Post by christianshort on Jul 15, 2020 3:02:27 GMT
I’ve shipped to UK , Germany , Australia and New Zealand without a problem.. also France but it’s been a while.
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Scott
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Post by Scott on Jul 15, 2020 5:18:20 GMT
I had a sword shipped to Australia via USPS earlier this year without any problems. After the issues I had with shipito a while back I'd be dubious about using a mail forwarding service again. The main issues were them changing what they wouldn't ship without warning or notification, and their arbitrary way of applying their rules.
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admin
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Post by admin on Jul 16, 2020 6:04:31 GMT
pgandy: thank you for the link sir. It looks like a great localized solution for South America and the whole of the Caribbean. I have added them to our revised list of forwarders (and warned that it may be easy, or it may be hard).. christianshort: UK, Germany, Australia and New Zealand are still ok. France, probably only by forwarding service or courier (definitely not USPS). We have opened back up to ship via USPS to these countries - and bracing ourselves.. Scott: Australia used to be great for sword collectors (unless you live in the state of Victoria, where permits are required - and curiously, also where Global Gear is based, Australia's largest seller of swords, knives and cool collectibles). But recently, it's getting to the point where you may have to argue with customs.. Shame about shipto - under prohibited items they list 'weapons'.
Tactical Knives is clear enough, but 'Weapons' has a weird definition:
'used with intent'? Yeah, shipto are out - too much leeway and I still don't know how you can prohibit any device that can be used with intent to damage people or items. Are hammers ok? Rounded lengths of wood? Chainsaws? Steel pens? Can shipto ship anything at all?
Anyway, I digress, the point is Australia got hammered the same time as everyone else and while it's looks like it might be possible again, the golden days are long behind us.
Our friends at KoA have the following to say:Special note for Australia - We can ship to Australia. However, please be sure to verify the legality of your selections in your area. Australian customs has become very strict lately, and we would hate for your shipment to be confiscated. A special license may be required for you to import some of these items. Please be absolutely sure you may legally do so, before placing your order. We will not be able to refund confiscated shipments. In general, they have the biggest issues with double edged knives, most swords are usually not an issue.
So as we stand, it looks like there ARE still some options left - a lot of those I discovered in the initial post are for the business side of shipping, so that's something I need to look into (though probably well beyond out budget). But in the end it looks like we have 7 valid services based on experience and their stated policies and lists of prohibited items that suggest swords are not a problem at all:
If you know of more, or have experiences with one of them, or think the guide is missing some critical info let me know. I am hoping this solution, though awkward, will open things up again for collectors around the world. Only one way to know..
In the meantime, I will continue my own research - but even if you only read about it on social media or something, let us know.
- Paul
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admin
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Post by admin on Jul 28, 2020 2:40:37 GMT
Just another update - I have been going through recent order records and have found that as recently as last month, Access USA successfully shipped one of our $200 Gunto (the one that's pretty much an exact replica and wildly popular). It also has RAYSKIN, which was preventing Katana orders shipping by Access USA, so at least we know that they are still shipping swords as recently as one month ago.
Now this next bit of news might be too early to celebrate, but a MAJOR forwarder and competitor to all of these companies saw our plight and reached out to me personally - they actually want to help! If so, we won't have to deal with forwarders that barely tolerate us as sword collectors to one that is more than happy to ship any sword to where it is legal to possess!
In the meantime, please keep sharing your experiences. If we work together, we can find solutions. If no-one helps, it's an uphill battle for me as I am not in Europe or Australia, so need feedback from people who ARE.
To abuse the Covid-19 mantra 'we are all in this together'...But it is true, we are.
So let me know guys. Maybe we can open the world up for sword shipments again at only slightly more expensive prices that the good old days, not quadruple what we were used to or worse still, no way to ship at all..
OTHER UPDATES on DIRECT SHIPPING
CHINA: China generally ships direct to the USA via one of two services, SF Express or EMS - and each covers half of the country respectively. I don't recall which one opened up first, but for a while only half the states could receive shipments until the other service came back on line, and there was a heck of a lot of swords that bounced at Chinese customs - only NOW are things STARTING to return to normal shipping wise. But shipping prices have gone way up - from what I hear the government has stopped subsidizing them, so expect a fairly steep shipping increase.
CANADA: US orders are crossing the border just fine, but China still cannot ship there. Indeed, my understanding is that right now they can ONLY ship to USA..
JAPAN (EXPORT): Major blockages with outgoing shipments despite the correct paperwork, leaving surface mail (i.e. by SEA) as the only valid shipping right now.
I don't much info on anywhere else yet, some of our suppliers can ship almost anywhere, others are really restricted to the US only - so for them, a forwarder is the ONLY way forward (pardon the pun).
I will try to keep you updated guys, but if you know ANYTHING not covered yet - please contribute, don't keep it to yourself.. The community needs to know what forwarders are 'sword friendly' and which are 'Hoplophobes' who would be nervous about flying with a large shipment of forks (have you SEEN what a fork can do to someone when it is weaponized..?).
I won't say I hope common sense prevails as common sense is sooo 2019 - but rather that we find ways to restore international shipping that doesn't cost an arm or a leg.
Thanks all, - Paul
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Post by Dandelion on Sept 11, 2020 9:54:39 GMT
Sword via USPS to germany from sneakypete Arrived safe; around three weeks, ten days or so were the usual german customs hazzle.
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Post by haon on Sept 14, 2020 7:14:19 GMT
Sword via USPS to germany from sneakypete Arrived safe; around three weeks, ten days or so were the usual german customs hazzle. Same experience for me, however, my last shipping from China to Germany arrived at the 14th February, so something could have changed from then on. Besides the usual hazzle and paperwork with german customs, it was fairly expensive. If I remember correctly, the taxes were 19% plus (maybe wrong) 5% of "payment" for the custom themselves, and another ~80€ for the next shipping company called "GDSK". All around this was a markup of ~180€, which really makes me think twice nowadays if I want to import something. Could have bought a sword from europe for the same or less money and modify it myself. (Yes, if I would drive to the customs and get the package myself I could have saved the ~80€ for the other shipping company, but that wasn't an option back then) Also, I didn't include the 95$ initial shipping costs in this, as I count these to the usual costs of ordering something Edit: initial shipment was via EMS from China to Germany, as neither DHL or UPS were available at the time apparently |
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Post by Bernhard H. on Oct 9, 2020 21:08:39 GMT
Does anyone please have good info on getting a sword from Canada to Germany, for a reasonable amount?
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Post by christianshort on Jan 13, 2021 0:41:17 GMT
I have been shipping to many countries with no issues though it has been over a year since I shipped to Germany.
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ghost
Member
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Post by ghost on Jan 21, 2021 0:44:07 GMT
dhl parcel is very slow, germany to usa closing in on 8 weeks+
update: USPS inquiry letter today
hope they havent lost it...especially if usps just lost one of stormmaster's
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Post by wildyracing on Feb 2, 2021 20:28:45 GMT
I live in EU and have received several swords from USA within the last year. Two of them were via FedEx, 12 of them were via USPS. So postal service actually do work reliably IMO and a lot cheaper than private couriers.
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ghost
Member
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Post by ghost on Feb 18, 2021 1:44:39 GMT
shipping via dhl parcel -> USPS , 2 days shy of 3 months from Germany to California (Nov 2020 - Feb 2021)
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Post by alientude on Feb 18, 2021 4:36:34 GMT
USPS, California -> Poland, Priority Mail International. I shipped it just about a month ago, and no tracking updates for 3 weeks. Hoping it's not lost, but did file a request for a search.
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Post by Richter on Feb 22, 2021 15:33:51 GMT
Hi Everyone
Has anyone based in the Netherlands successfully imported swords that were purchased online? I would like to order an Albion, but I see similar restrictions, e.g. apparently one needs a weapons import permit - does anyone have experience with this?
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Post by Dandelion on Feb 23, 2021 11:57:29 GMT
Hi Everyone Has anyone based in the Netherlands successfully imported swords that were purchased online? I would like to order an Albion, but I see similar restrictions, e.g. apparently one needs a weapons import permit - does anyone have experience with this? You sure about the restrictions? There are lots of sword shops in Netherlands... |
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