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How to Transport Your Collection Overseas?

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
11,445
Hi guys,

This isn't a knife-specific question but is a very general knife discussion (har har) question.

It won't happen anytime soon, but there's a chance that a few years down the road I may move overseas for an extended period. (Which in my case means, not America).

One thing I am very concerned about is, if I do this, how can I transport my collection? Has anyone moved overseas (or a very long distance/to another country etc) and had to do this already? If not, does anyone here know the ins and outs regardless? How would you do it if it were you? I've traveled overseas a few times and I've always brought a few favorites tucked away in my shaving kit in my checked luggage. But I don't know how I'd do about moving my collection.

If it helps, my collection is consolidated in one padlocked case.

All I can think of is the old movies where they'd ship stuff in those wooden crates that say "Caution, Fragile, This End Up" and all of that jazz.

If I end up moving overseas, I'd like to have peace of mind knowing with reasonable certainty that my knives can come with me, and can make the journey safely and securely without getting banged up or lost. I know nothing is certain, but can I do this with reasonable certainty?

Of course this doesn't address all the different laws and statutes regarding knives in various other countries and that's okay, right now I'm worried about transport because I have no idea.

Again, nothing in the works, but it might happen, and I'd like to know now that if it ever does, my knives can get to their new home safely too.

Thanks guys.
 
Have someone ship them to you once you're in your new location - an not all at once in one large package, but instead in a few smaller packages. As they say, don't put all of your eggs in one basket!
 
I think guns are handled differently at airports and treated differently than other luggage, so buying a cheap firearm to transport to the other country may be a good option and store your knives with it. Though it may be a bit of a conversation if you get to the other side and they ask you to open it and they see 1 small .22 pistol and a large gun case filled to the brim with knives. Than again just telling them your a knife collector and you don't trust the TSA with checking that in normal checked luggage, so you bought cheap gun to do this may do the trick. Just clear it with EVERYONE before you try this

There was a topic here made by a guy who worked at a delivery company on how they handled special packages which were worth over a certain amount and the owner paid for the specialty service which I can't quite remember the name of the service. But in essence the driver was under a lot of scrutiny if a package was lost in their care, and everything was handled with extreme care and inventory kept up to 100%, etc. I am sure you can find the thread on that if you try, that might help you find a good service to use.
 
When I relocated to Mauritius I left half my knives in South Africa and shipped the rest in my container in a box marked "Cutlery". I did have the option to ship them in a locked steel box (that had half of my camera gear in) but decided that would attract customs'attention. No problem at all. Over time I am bringing the knives that I still want here in my check in luggage every time I go back or business colleagues come here - no problems so far.
 
I moved from the UK to Asia several years ago and had this very same problem. I have ended up keeping a box of knives in my parents house and took what I would use and perhaps like to have about with me. I have ended up with two collections now so it's not all bad news. :p

When actually moving knives and other "weapons" (I have bows, sticks, hawks, batons and one of two other things) I went for a combination of posting some stuff and taking things in my checked in luggage. To put it bluntly I posted the stuff I would rather not have to explain to a customs person, if that situation came about, and took the rest with me in my bag. I have actually never had any problems moving knives and things from country to country and the only time I have been hassled was going back home on one occasion.
When sending anything like knives it's really best to just leave things that might be questionable at home. Things like automatics, balis and swords even when legal to own in a country can still get you in a fix at the airport (you can always get them there at a later date after testing the water). As for posting a large package or crate if you get the right paperwork to have the package labeled as "possessions" you don't pay import tax on it so that is worth doing. Most places will accept that as far as I can see and most places will generally charge for large, valuable packages.

If you are moving to a country and don't have friends or family there exercise caution with what you take, if you do then they will know what's what and you can act accordingly. It's always best to err on the side of caution and have nothing happen than endure a disaster of sorts. :)
 
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