Replica swords in checked baggage

[con+insult=consult]

Hi guys...

I’m travelling from Tokyo to Sydney (via Gold Coast) on JQ12/JQ409 soon. I want to bring back a replica katana (samurai sword) with me in my checked luggage - is this permitted? Will I face any problems when I land in Gold Coast, and have to check in my baggage to fly to Sydney?

Please note - I am NOT travelling with Jetstar Japan (GK) - my flights are marked JQ (Jetstar Australia I assume). Also, the sword in question is NOT a real sword, but a replica. I've been getting contradicting answers from the Jetstar contact center (who didn't seem too confident, but still said "Yes, it can be carried"), and the Facebook team (who said "Jetstar Japan (GK) does not accept the carriage of swords restricted by the Act Controlling Possession, etc of Fire-Arms and swords.", which doesnt make any sense since im not flying GK anyways) so I'm not sure who to believe.

Hoping someone here may have dealt with this before......

Thanks !!

 

[opusman]

The Dangerous Goods page seems applicable:

Jetstar Airways (JQ) may agree to carry firearms and ammunition as checked baggage only. If we do these items must be packed in accordance with all applicable national and international laws and regulations.

Jetstar does not permit the carriage of Munitions of War (firearms and/or ammunition) into, out of or through Singapore.


Firearms cannot be carried on flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) or Jetstar Japan (GK).


Jetstar Japan (GK) does not accept the carriage of swords restricted by the Act Controlling Possession, etc of Fire-Arms and swords.

Based on that, if your flight is with JQ and not GK then I would guess you'd be fine.

 

[777]

Are they going to be wrapped in ISIS flags?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi guys...

I’m travelling from Tokyo to Sydney (via Gold Coast) on JQ12/JQ409 soon. I want to bring back a replica katana (samurai sword) with me in my checked luggage - is this permitted? Will I face any problems when I land in Gold Coast, and have to check in my baggage to fly to Sydney?

Please note - I am NOT travelling with Jetstar Japan (GK) - my flights are marked JQ (Jetstar Australia I assume). Also, the sword in question is NOT a real sword, but a replica. I've been getting contradicting answers from the Jetstar contact center (who didn't seem too confident, but still said "Yes, it can be carried"), and the Facebook team (who said "Jetstar Japan (GK) does not accept the carriage of swords restricted by the Act Controlling Possession, etc of Fire-Arms and swords.", which doesnt make any sense since im not flying GK anyways) so I'm not sure who to believe.

Hoping someone here may have dealt with this before......

Thanks !!

As for permission into Asutralia, the Australian Customs site has information (see page 42, the answer is 'allowed'): http://www.customs.gov.au/canibringitback/pdf/CanIBringItBack.pdf

Jetstar's conditions of carriage state (my underline of the relevant part):

8.4 Items Unacceptable as Baggage or to be Carried Inside Baggage(h) Firearms and ammunition, explosives, flammable or non-inflammable gas (such as aerosol paints, butane gas, lighter refills) refrigerated gas (such as filled aqualung cylinders, liquid nitrogen), flammable liquids (such as paints, thinners, solvents) flammable solids (such as matches, fire lighters), organic peroxides (such as resins), poisons, infective substances (such as viruses, bacteria), radioactive material (such as radium), corrosive materials (such as acid, alkali, mercury, thermometers), magnetic substances, oxidizing materials (such as bleaches);
(i) Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives and similar items provided that such items may be allowed as checked baggage at our absolute discretion for very special reasons. These cannot be carried into the aircraft cabin for any reason whatsoever.
If we discover that you are carrying prohibited items, we may do whatever we consider appropriate and what is reasonable in the circumstances, including disposing of the item without notifying you.

These terms and conditions can be found here: Conditions of Carriage | Jetstar

However... as you are departing from Japan, there might be a possibility that the same rules applying to Jetstar Japan would apply to other airlines? It appears the Japan Civil Aeronautics Act allows a sword in checked baggage (see http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000993851.pdf)
however I'd be thinking if a different law prevents you from possessing such an item, that won't be overruled by the Aeronatics Act.

I guess you could always have the sword shipped separately as freight?

 

[con+insult=consult]

Are they going to be wrapped in ISIS flags?

Hahahah - no flags, but I'm a brown male who's subject to more "random checks" than normal........

 

[con+insult=consult]

opusman and MEL_Traveller : Thanks !! I thought as much; there must be heaps of tourists who buy replica swords, so shouldn't really be a problem since it's not the real deal...

 

[medhead]

I also looked into doing this a few years ago. ISTR that a clearance to export from Japan is also required. This is about protecting their heritage. Ie this really is a cheap replica not a 1000 year old sword carried by Tokugawa called Tsumugari

 

[MEL_Traveller]

opusman and MEL_Traveller : Thanks !! I thought as much; there must be heaps of tourists who buy replica swords, so shouldn't really be a problem since it's not the real deal...

that's not what I was indicating.

while jetstar (AU), the Japan civil aviation board (or whatever the equivalent is), and australian customs will all allow the replica sword, that doesn't mean you can still carry it.

it may be the case that the restriction imposed by jetstar Japan is applied equally to your flight departing on jetstar australia. I think you'd need to get a firm answer from jetstar australia... perhaps via email with which you have enclosed a picture of the sword you want to buy.

i understand some of the 'replica' swords are the real thing... 'replica' only in name because they were produced recently, rather than being antique. if it is a replica of that nature (some of which can cost many thousands of dollars), it will likely be considered a weapon in its own right.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd suggest you carry clear documentation (preferably in Japanese and English) saying its a replica, with photos and purchase documents etc. I'd put a copy of that with the swords in the baggage, as well, together with your contact details (in case the bag gets opened at the departure airport).

 

[Madam Mina]

I flew back from a hiking trip in NZ a couple of years ago and as we had been hiking we obviously had a bunch of stuff that needed declaring including my friends reasonably large camping knife. As the customs officer was busily going through our bags checking we had properly cleaned our boots and that the knife was ok (single sided I think might be the thing with knives) we started chatting about people bringing in weapons and he related a story to us of how he had once had a guy come through with a sword from Japan. The guy had declared it as a weapon and apparently it was fine for him to bring it in however during the course of there conversation the value of the sword came up and the owner proudly (and stupidly as the officer wouldn't have known otherwise) declared it was worth well over 100 grand. The customs officer promptly busted him for exceeding the $900 tax free limit and he was up for a considerable amount of duty but was still allowed to keep the sword. So I would think you would be ok to bring it in but just make sure you declare it both as a weapon and its value if it's more than $900. Now that I think about it I kind of vaguely remember my sister, who used to do fifo, telling me about a guy she worked with that was really into some kind of Japanese martial art and he flew with his swords as hand luggage with a special permit as they were worth too much to put them in the hold!

 

[con+insult=consult]

Hi All

Thanks for your comments - much more feedback here than I've got from Jetstar themselves :shock:

As for getting documentation, I'll be sure to ask for it whilst buying the sword. Better safe than sorry.

About the price of the sword - I don't have $$$ to spend on a Katana it's likely going to be less than $400, so don't have to worry about tax implications. Good advice on the weapons bit though - will declare it as such.

PS - Does anyone have an email address for Jetstar? I haven't been able to find one.....