Help with Customs!

**cfaustus** · 08-03-2004 10:08 AM

I am hoping someone here may be able to give me some advice. A few months ago I purchased a Mensuren schlager (Paukdegen) on Ebay. The gentleman from whom I purchased it, would not ship out of Germany. I therefore had him send it to my Uncle in Bremen. I call the post office and they told me that as long as the package is clearly marked I should have no problem receiving it shipped. Well, the German Post disagreed and said that I would probably never see it once it got to America because it would get confiscated at Customs.

My mother is going to Bremen this fall to visit my Uncle and offered to bring the sword back. Even though the blade is not much different from the practice blades we use, the guard is ornate and looks particularly menacing. Therefore, I am afraid it may raise some eyebrows in customs... I really don't want to get my Mom detained. Any suggestions you have would be great.

**CvilleFencer** · 08-03-2004 10:19 AM

Keep in mind that the last time I flew I was working for the DOD and this was before 9/11. Keeping that in mind I never had a problem with real (as in sharp and pointy) large knives, swords, or even handguns and rifles as long as they were properly secured in my checked bags. I would not think she would have any problems as long as she kept her head. For example, when the customs agent asks if she has anything to declare she should not whip out the blade with a flourish and say "Just this weapon of vengeance you foul TSA worm!" As long as she just says a couple of bottles of Riesling and some sporting equipment and/or decorations/artwork she should have no problems.

**Inquartata** · 08-03-2004 10:45 AM

Strange. People import swords from Europe all the time---real ones.

**Louweasel** · 08-06-2004 06:57 AM

I think it may be helpful to speak to Customs direct. For example, here in the UK, HM Customs and Excise have a National Advice Line, which is a telephone number for any customs query. They also have a website with lots of advice and FAQs. Perhaps US Customs have something similar? You might as well get it from the horse's mouth!

**sabreur** · 08-06-2004 07:34 AM

Here's the webpage: http://www.hauptzollamt.de/kontakt/index.html.

It lists phone numbers for a variety of offices.

MR

**grotto** · 08-06-2004 08:51 AM

your best bet is to have it wrapped boxed and shipped. Saves mom the hassle and you the worry. you can declare it on the shipping as an ornamental swork e.g. antique wall hanging etc.

**canthidefromme** · 08-06-2004 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by cfaustus

... I really don't want to get my Mom detained. Any suggestions you have would be great.

That would make for a good story at parties...

**cfaustus** · 08-06-2004 11:33 PM

Thank you all... between your suggestions and several other inquiries I made, I think we have a solution to this...

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	Register Help Remember Me? Forum General Fencing Armory - Q&A Help with Customs! Results 1 to 8 of 8 Thread: Help with Customs! Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page… Subscribe to this Thread… Display Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode 08-03-2004 10:08 AM #1 cfaustus Senior Member Array Join Date Jun 2004 Location Wisconsin Posts 498 Help with Customs! I am hoping someone here may be able to give me some advice. A few months ago I purchased a Mensuren schlager (Paukdegen) on Ebay. The gentleman from whom I purchased it, would not ship out of Germany. I therefore had him send it to my Uncle in Bremen. I call the post office and they told me that as long as the package is clearly marked I should have no problem receiving it shipped. Well, the German Post disagreed and said that I would probably never see it once it got to America because it would get confiscated at Customs. My mother is going to Bremen this fall to visit my Uncle and offered to bring the sword back. Even though the blade is not much different from the practice blades we use, the guard is ornate and looks particularly menacing. Therefore, I am afraid it may raise some eyebrows in customs... I really don't want to get my Mom detained. Any suggestions you have would be great. "Si tu no sabes todas las acciones es como si un músico no supiera tocar todas las notas." - Fernando Chiriboga "If you do not know all the actions it is like a musician who does not know all the notes." 08-03-2004 10:19 AM #2 CvilleFencer Senior Member Array Join Date Jan 2003 Location Charlottesville VA Posts 3,589 Keep in mind that the last time I flew I was working for the DOD and this was before 9/11. Keeping that in mind I never had a problem with real (as in sharp and pointy) large knives, swords, or even handguns and rifles as long as they were properly secured in my checked bags. I would not think she would have any problems as long as she kept her head. For example, when the customs agent asks if she has anything to declare she should not whip out the blade with a flourish and say "Just this weapon of vengeance you foul TSA worm!" As long as she just says a couple of bottles of Riesling and some sporting equipment and/or decorations/artwork she should have no problems. Just another lost soul saved by the (hit) First Church of EPEE! Bona Na Croin. "Neither Collar nor Crown" 08-03-2004 10:45 AM #3 Inquartata Curmudgeon Emeritus Array Join Date Jul 2001 Location Somewhere in your nightmares! Posts 34,471 Strange. People import swords from Europe all the time---real ones. 08-06-2004 06:57 AM #4 Louweasel Senior Member Array Join Date May 2003 Location UK Posts 1,573 I think it may be helpful to speak to Customs direct. For example, here in the UK, HM Customs and Excise have a National Advice Line, which is a telephone number for any customs query. They also have a website with lots of advice and FAQs. Perhaps US Customs have something similar? You might as well get it from the horse's mouth! Louweasel "I grew up in Europe, where the history comes from" [Eddie Izzard] "she might not look like much, kid, but she's got it where it counts" 08-06-2004 07:34 AM #5 sabreur Senior Member Array Join Date Jul 2000 Location Heidelberg, GE Posts 5,827 Blog Entries 153 Here's the webpage: http://www.hauptzollamt.de/kontakt/index.html. It lists phone numbers for a variety of offices. MR Why sabre? Because you don't take heads with the point. 08-06-2004 08:51 AM #6 grotto Senior Member Array Join Date Dec 2003 Location Wilmington NC Posts 432 your best bet is to have it wrapped boxed and shipped. Saves mom the hassle and you the worry. you can declare it on the shipping as an ornamental swork e.g. antique wall hanging etc. 08-06-2004 07:04 PM #7 canthidefromme Senior Member Array Join Date Sep 2003 Posts 193 Originally Posted by cfaustus ... I really don't want to get my Mom detained. Any suggestions you have would be great. That would make for a good story at parties... 08-06-2004 11:33 PM #8 cfaustus Senior Member Array Join Date Jun 2004 Location Wisconsin Posts 498 Thank you all... between your suggestions and several other inquiries I made, I think we have a solution to this... "Si tu no sabes todas las acciones es como si un músico no supiera tocar todas las notas." - Fernando Chiriboga "If you do not know all the actions it is like a musician who does not know all the notes." « Previous Thread \| Next Thread » Similar Threads Canadians who've been dinged by customs By shamshir in forum Water Cooler Replies: 9 Last Post: 04-14-2003, 03:01 PM Best Equipment supplier... By Tim P. 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