Packing, Shipping & Insurance for sword sales

Customs / Law

Shipping my swords to customers both inside and outside the European Union is 100% legal (for me to do) BUT please read my Customs Information first before agreeing to buy.

Packing

I use double skinned cardboard boxes (except for the smallest items / sizes), which I buy or sometimes make myself. I make my own boxes for odd sizes and where reinforced cardboard is required. I also protect the swords inside the boxes with bubble wrap and other packaging materials as I would if I was sending the sword to myself; I often pack swords that do not have metal scabbards in hardboard tubes first and then pack that into a box. I charge for this service, which actually is a bargain based on the cost, time, effort and gasoline it costs me. If a buyer would rather not be charged for packaging, I am very happy to simply stick an address label and stamps on the sword itself and post it! My charges for packing are commensurate with the box size;

100cm x 100 cm x 500cm (sgl skinned cardboard) - I charge £3
118cm x 118 cm x 800cm (dbl skinned cardboard) - I charge £5
150cm x 150 cm x 1000cm (dbl skinned cardboard) - I charge £8
150cm x 150 cm x 1180cm (dbl skinned cardboard) - I charge £10
Above this size / bespoke boxes (dbl skinned cardboard) - I charge £15

I am also able to have a carpenter make a solid sword carry case (any sword size) out of chipboard for £100.

Shipping

Option One: Direct Shipping
I use the Portuguese Postal Service's registered worldwide parcel service and have been very pleased with the results with not one sword gone missing or getting damaged. This service includes tracking, so packages are not likely ever to get lost. Cost: as per the Portuguese Post Office at the time. I no longer use the Spanish Post Office as they have now restricted what items can be handled by their workers.

Spanish / Portuguese UPS & Fedex: Because of the appalling service I have experienced from both UPS and Fedex in the Iberian Peninsula, I no longer offer them myself as an option. UPS Portugal: After having been charged for taxes which I should not have been, despite promises by them, I still have not received my refund, and after having had a priority item stuck in UPS Portugal's wretched system for 2 weeks, I do not think it is wise for anyone to use them. Fedex Iberia: I had a inbound parcel unofficially inspected (opened and not resealed with inspector's tape which is highly suspicious) and the contents slightly damaged using the Fedex system; be warned, Fedex use 3rd parties in many countries, including Portugal.

If a buyer wishes to appoint, book and pay for their own courier (including UPS or Fedex) to collect a sword from me; no problem. As most airlines allow edged weapons in checked luggage (please check with the airline first), I am also happy to meet buyers who would prefer to fly in and collect.

Insurance:
The Portuguese Post Office offers insurance up to 5000 Euros. The declared value must equal the declared Customs value. The cost is 5% for antiques (items over 100 years old), 3% for non-antiques (items under 100 years old).

Option Two: Indirect Shipping (via the UK)
Some customers, especially those in far away countries with good freight / parcel connections with the UK, believe items sent from Great Britain to them arrive faster and with less risk. Some customers insist they are offered full insurance including for antique swords. Some people want to use UPS UK because they trust them and know UPS UK offer a superb service. I am very happy to send swords to a Mail Boxes Etc. franchise I know and work with in the UK, for them to then send the sword(s) on to the customer. Mail Boxes Etc are a subsidiary of UPS. They can send items internationally using ParcelForce (the British Post Office parcels carrier) or UPS.

Insurance:
MBE offer an in-house full insurance policy including cover for antiques; it costs 3% of the specified value. As the insurance policy is separate, the declared Customs value and the insured amount can vary, though that is between you and the MBE.

Indirect Method Details:
You pay me for the sword, shipping and any Portuguese Post Office insurance required to the UK. I advise the MBE and you of the despatch. You then liaise with and pay the MBE directly for the onward shipment to you. In all probability the MBE will be able to use the box I used to keep costs down. From the point the sword(s) reach the MBE franchise undamaged, it is then between you and the MBE; I have fulfilled my legal obligations.

Reference Sites

Universal Postal Union Restrictions By Country - Arms are covered by Chapter 93 under each country. You will see all arms have been prohibited for carriage by the Spanish Postal Authority, so I am not able to ship via Spain. I send via the Post Office in Portugal and you will see only arms requiring authorization by the Portuguese Security Police are restricted.

Portuguese Security Police / Arms Legislation - In perhaps typical form the current legislation (Law 17/2009 of 6th May) was not on the PSP's (Portuguese Security Police's) web site when I checked last (24th January 2010). However Article 1, Paragraph 4 a) of 17/2009 specifically states traditional military swords, sabres, small swords, bayonets and other such edged weapons are not considered weapons within the meaning of this law and therefore are not subject to any licensing or permit. However the previous law on weapons 5/2006 of 23rd February which the PSP has published again excludes collector's swords, etc. from being classified as weapons under the old law under Article 1, Paragraph 3.