Problem with German customs

Well, nothing has changed with customs-guys since biblical times...

Due to me being a german, I have frequented customs offices a few times.
They rarely know what they are doing. Getting my sword was a royal pain, because the ignorant lady there was dead certain it was illegal to buy or own that sword (and I was a criminal, calling the police.... ad nauseam)

Even though I told her what § to look into. That's just been plain arrogant.

Another time everything was handled okay. It took ages, everything was done with an anal approach to the letter of the laws. That's cliché-german for you... :rolleyes:


To german knife laws:

They became pretty shitty concerning carrying knives. But there are really few illegal knife types. Balisongs, forward opening automatic knives and push daggers for example.

The knife can be designed as a weapon, that only makes carrying in public illegal. Not ownership!

Magnusson, you were deceived by the customs guy. Your Knife was perfectly legal to own. I am afraid nothing will come out of it if too much time has passed. My deepest regrets for that. I hope the guy who robbed you is not happy with his loot! :mad:


@ Wulf

I would really be interested how that customs guy came to his conclusions concerning the knife's worth...
If it really was a gift, why not declare it as one? I would simply count cost of material and use this amount as worth. If you wanted to give it to the soldier as a present, your work was for free. No trickery in that in my opinion.
 
Well it's been a few months and unfortunately the knife never made it back. I'm guessing it's sitting in some customs officer's dresser drawer somewhere in Germany and won't likely make it back out again...

I followed up with the USPS and they finally sent me a letter saying there was no record of the knife ever being delivered in Germany. In the letter they included a form that I must fill out to file a claim.

This is all very disappointing to me. This knife had great personal significance, both to me and my cousin.

Anyway, even though it's a long shot, please keep your eyes open for this knife and let me know if you see it pop up anywhere. If anyone in northern Germany sees this post, please try to make a mental note of it and keep an eye open next time you head out to your local knife shop. The original destination was Bargteheide, near Hamburg, so it's possible the knife is still in the area.

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Thanks,
D
 
BlackToe Knives said:
I have shipped hundreds of knives over seas in last year. Here is couple of things I might do. First remove any indications it might be a knife like JoBlows Knives from the address. Next claim it a wood working tool or a camping tool. Next claim the value about $40.00.
Not that I have done any of this. I am just saying.
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I agree - I frequently use the description "forging sample" and place a value of $50.00 US.
 
So over a month ago I filled out all the claim forms the USPS sent, provided all the supporting documentation, etc., and waited... and waited... and waited. I had completely written it off, but then yesterday when I got home from work, lo and behold, there was the box on my doorstep, covered with stickers and tape and looking like it had been to Afghanistan and back.

Inside it was the knife, just as I had packed it. :)
 
Wow... are you going to try and send it back or just frame it as a reminder? By the way, beautiful knife.
 
I agree with what has been said about marking it as a camp tool with a value of about $40. I also have seen much better experiences with USPS Express than with USPS Global Priority. The only two pieces of advice I would add would be:

1) Wrap it in several layers of brown packing paper, then put it in a big envelope with the recipient's name and address on the envelope. The envelope then goes into the box for final shipment.

2) Never declare a high dollar value for an overseas shipment or use USPS insurance to cover the knife. Instead, if you're sending or receiving knives, take out a simple private insurance policy that covers mail shipments, and confirm that they cover shipments overseas. Most policies will require basic documentation for a claim of loss, such as emails between buyer and seller, and mailing receipts, and they will typically require that you request a signature from the recipient to release the package, which USPS Global Express requires by default.
 
Wow, It broke my heart when I first read this story. So glad you got it back undamaged.

SO the moral is that German customs guys are good folk after all???:rolleyes:
 
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