International bayonet sales question.

[bheskett]

Question about overseas bayonet sales. Are there US regulation prohibiting the sales of bayonets outside the U.S. ? I lost several rifle magazines a few years ago. They were OK to mail but not to send outside the U.S. Really don't want this to happen again.

 

[m1a2u2]

Department of Commerce technically regulates bayonet exports but generally nothing is requires as most countries have no restrictions. Where are you sending them?

[917601]

Customs and Border Patrol ( yes CBH) confiscated an inert marked, totally empty WW2 mine I was sending to a museum in Italy. I sent it by US Post, and 60 days later I received a letter with a court date in Miami not from the Post Office but CBP. I called the agent in charge and was given two options, surrender it or show up for a court date in Miami Federal court ( I live in Atlanta). I explained all about it being an empty tin can, they said the " agent" determined it violated DOS regulations on exporting " instruments of war". They in essence stole it. Four five years ago I imported a pallet full of Model 1917 Belt loaders in their boxes ( sea freight from Australia). It was flagged in LA and confiscated, saying I needed a permit from DOS to import / export " instruments of war". I hired Kuhn and Nagel to get it released through legal channels. That cost me a grand. I no longer import/ export any " instruments of war" or anything I am not prepared to lose....ps, when you ship overseas, you fill out a Customs declaration, on it are categories to be checked off, they are very detailed. Selecting generic " machined metal", "metal stock", etc.... no longer works. My advice, your chance of confiscation lessens if shipped UPS or Fed Ex.

[Ivydiv]

I know for sure you can't send them to Italy. Customs there will not allow them to be brought into the Country. I did get the one I sold returned to me, so only out the refund. I think bayonets in Japan can only have a 1 or 2 inches of blade on them. Not sure. Dave

[bheskett]

Thanks for the replies. I found the customs website that specifically mentions bayonets as a no-no. Now to find good site here the US to sell my foreign bayonets.

[TheMariner]

Honestly it really depends on what they are and what country they are going to! I have sent edged weapons to 3-4 countries over the years and all arrived without issues! To include Australia, China and I think maybe England and France. Just research their local shipping laws because some countries can't receive weapons over a certain size and others not at all! Certainly it is a risk but if garnering a higher sale price it is worth the risk! I wouldn't say thats it is entirely a worthless endeavor!

[bheskett]

Mariner. I checked the customs website and they specifically mention bayonets. I assume knives and swords are OK, but not bayonets.