WrongFriend lost 1st round of millennium

WrongFriend

WrongFriend

Joined
Jul 6, 1999
Messages
1,151
Hi dear forumites:
Since last October I had my best luck that I didn't know I had. Three 20" AK and two 15 inchers have been successfully imported to me and my friends

So I came to think I should have a Gelbu Special. I emailed to Uncle Bill to put me into the waiting list, then some days later he told me it was my turn, asking which handle type I prefer, horn or wood. I couldn't choose one and ordered both.

It was around 20 Jan, now I have a mail from customs instead of GS... It said that the knives are considered as swords and I need some (special) certification to import a sword legally.

It seemed that from their point of view, an AK is a knife/tool, but a GS is a sword/weapon. Correct!
But does it mean I lost my luck, or they'd got so keen eye on khukuris? Must have been made from a real expert's observation!

Anyways I have to send them back to Uncle Bill, then I'll try again. This kind of trouble with cusgoms is like dancing a rain dance, if I keep on long enough, it's to be rewarded.

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Sorry to hear about your problems, WF. Dealing with government agencies of any kind can be a pain in the rear.
 
I'm very sorry to hear that, Wrongfriend.

I devoutly hope that you can work things out to get them back into the country legally.

Does this also apply to the little ones, or have you been afraid to ask?

If you could get a 12" Sirupati, or 12" AK, or the 9" CBKC in under the knife classification, at least you'd have something to comfort you and remind you of their bigger brothers. And some of the little ones - well, we have a saying over here that "...it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." Each khukuri, no matter what the size, has it's own spirit.
I wonder if the hijacking of the airliner from Nepal a couple months back had anything to do with the change in attitude?

Bill should be back shortly, and I sincereley
hope that he or others have some better ideas.

You might post on netsword or swordforum and see if others have had experiences that could help. Rusty

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Horse sense is what a jackass ain't got.
 
WrongFriend,
Sorry to hear about your situation. Do you think if someone brought your G.S. via check in baggage into Japan, would it make it? When I went there during last April, I had several knives, and no one questioned it. E-mail me back because I some ideas so you can get your G.S..
 
OK, does a machete fall under the sword catagory? I'm sure it does, but if it doesn't it could be Nepalese machete. Maybe??

- D
 
A Lawyer Writes -

Sounds to me like you need to be able to make a case to Customs that these items are tools, not weapons.

Ok; so what defines a sword in Japanese law?

Is it strictly a matter of blade length and physical dimensions, or is it a question of what the item was designed for and how it's customarily used?

If the former, and your khuks fall within the definition, you're probably out of luck.

If the latter; I imagine that letters from Uncle Bill representing the manufacturer (saying that the khuks were designed to be used as general-purpose utility cutting tools and marketed as such) and maybe a dozen owners and users of khuks (decribing how we use them for clearing scrub, chopping wood, harvesting guavas, opening letters, sharpening pencils, shaving etc... anything, in fact, other than cutting human flesh or practicing Iaido) might help tip the balance.

I guess I speak for all of us when I say; "If we can help, let us know!"
 
Yup. I could even send testimonials from my shrubbery that has been trimmed.

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
Tom is right: if we didn't all feel the spirit in these khukuris we wouldn't be so eager to own the next one. From the baby sirupati to the sumo salyan, and Sanu Forward Curving "Surya, Chandra, Tara" every one of them is different and every one of them calls to me, to us all.

WrongFriend, what is happening to you is a tragedy. Hold onto courage, strength, steadfastness until you prevail.

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Horse sense is what a jackass ain't got.
 
I know that you have already thought aobut this, but what would it take to get a licesce to import "swords". Circumvent the law by using it to your advantage. Can't hurt, Might help...

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
Nephew, it took three trips to get that first 20 inch AK into your hands but we were successful because we didn't quit.

Never quit, never give up!

Bill oji-chan.
 
Mizutani San! I feel sad reading your post! In my case - Pakcik Bill @ Makcik Yangdu always specify Khuks as Nepalese Steel Handicraft in the Custom Declaration Form as well as in the Invoices! Maybe in your case Pakcik Bill @ Makcik Yangdu has to specify Khuks as Nepalese Machete or Nepalese Wood Cutter - who knows it might works next time!

NEPAL HO!
 
Would labeling it a machette help?

How about leaving the edge dull and call it a Nepali boomerang? There is probably a law against boomerangs in Japan. I suspect it might even be worst than Canada.

You have to laugh when these things happen at customs.

Will
 
FYI, my 1st few shipment of Khukuris were being opened & inspected by Custom peoples before there were released for delivery. I know it happened because the parcel were sealed back with a kind of tapes which displayed "Open for Inspection" phrases on it. Alhamdu-li-(A)llaah! Later on it seems they never bother to open the parcel for inspection any longer - no more such sealing on the parcel - they just stamped with a "Released" chop on the parcel! I guess Malaysian Custom peoples already familiar with Himalayan Imports name & the normal contains in the parcel - just Khukuris!
 
Thank you for encouraging and kind words! I didn't and wonn't give up GS anyway.
Laws about blades are vague. There are two major points.
One: Switchblades are illegal at any size.
Two: Edged weapons are illegal.
"Edged weapons" stand for daggers/dirks and swords. "Daggers/dirks" are defined as double edged blades over 6" (15cm), but "swords" are quite vague as there are no definition but only a few example like " bent blade, and like." All illegal. With a very
hypocritical manner katana is not contained in sword category but art category from which we can get artistic impression of its hamon and traditional craftmanship. Oh this is what is described, not my opinion. I have to add that functionality is not required. If without traditional material and traditional manufacturing process by certified katana smith, any good katana is to be categorized as a sword. All the other non-katana sword is defined "banto (barbarous sword)"! Let King Arthur hear this....
So, how to tell a legitimate "long tool blades" from swords? DEPENDS on areas, departments, personnel. And if customs makes a judge about the blade, Law Enforcement and court will definitely follow it. I could make a case, with little hope to win it, risking my AK.. Yokohama customs told me that even if the edge were dull, it's a sword essentially by it's material of steel and shape, sharpning doesn't matter. It seems a sword by its bent, so you can cut the blade to under 6" to own it but....I advise you not to waste your time trying cut THIS blade! "
I forgot to mention the exceptions. Traditional dancers can bring their needed swords, a museum can buy/import a sword for public exhibition.

In importing long knives over 6" blade, they are usually declared to customs "Nata (hatchets)". Randalls, machets, khukuris, bayonets, bowies are all "hatchets" when at customs. Sometimes some customs "finds" it a banto, and the knife is sent back or confiscated. In my little experience, 15" AKs have had no problems yet, must have passed as a hatchet to ordinary customs. I know Tokyo customs opened 20 incher parcel and delivered it after checking, but no GS. Must be a matter of luck.

As for size of khukuris, to me smaller khukuris are attractive, larger khukuris are only irresistible. A khukuri's unique geometry seems to utilize its momentum better in heavier blades. Another reason is that I could impress HI's skill to knifenuts around me very easily with large size khukuri. A 20 incher's weight and heftiness are more eloquent than its sharpness, finish heat-treating, and spirit inside. So far HI could have a good start in Japan, I believe. For now, GS is my obsession, maybe until I can put my hand on it. If GS owners can report/brag/showoff his one on this forum, I will really appreciate and will be encouraged. Like hunger makes best sauce, teasing makes a best dress, happy GS owners will make me hang on.

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
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