How to Legally Own a Japanese Sword — A Country-by-Country Guide for International Collectors

The United States is one of the most permissive environments in the world for Japanese sword collectors. Federal law does not prohibit or regulate sword ownership — the government does not classify Japanese swords alongside firearms in its weapons statutes. There is no federal registration requirement, no permit required for ownership, and no minimum age mandated by federal law (though individual states typically require buyers to be 18+).

Import is legal and, when properly documented, routine. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not prohibit swords. What causes shipments to be delayed or held is missing paperwork on the Japan export side — not U.S. import restrictions. Antique nihonto over 100 years old clear at 0% import duty; modern shinsakutō attract approximately 2.7% duty. The documents CBP may request are the commercial invoice, the Agency for Cultural Affairs export certificate, and a copy of the original Token Toroku-sho. Original NBTHK papers should travel physically with the blade.

• State laws vary — California, New York, New Jersey, and some other states have specific restrictions on carrying swords in public; check your state's laws.
• Chicago and Washington D.C. have city-level restrictions that go beyond state law.
• Carrying a sword in public is generally treated as possession of a dangerous weapon in most states — avoid this entirely.
• Transport to and from authorised activities (martial arts, exhibitions) with the sword secured and covered is generally acceptable — verify state-specific rules.

The UK has some of the most complex sword laws in the Western world — a result of legislation drafted in response to violent incidents involving cheap, mass-produced curved swords in the mid-2000s. The 2008 amendment to the Criminal Justice Act made it illegal to sell, import, or hire curved swords with blades over 50 cm. However, the exemptions are critical — and authentic nihonto fall squarely within them.

The law exempts: swords made before 1954 (antiques); swords made using traditional methods (hand-forged, clay-tempered, folded steel); and swords used for legitimate martial arts purposes. In practice, a genuine hand-forged Japanese sword purchased from a reputable Japanese dealer is legal to own in the UK — it is a traditionally made martial arts weapon and/or an antique, not a mass-produced replica. Mass-produced, factory-made curved swords are what the ban targets. The seller must be able to provide documentation confirming traditional manufacture — which a properly documented nihonto with NBTHK papers and an Agency for Cultural Affairs export certificate inherently satisfies.

• Public carry is illegal under all circumstances — no exceptions exist for collectors or enthusiasts.
• Transport must be in a secure, locked case with a demonstrable lawful reason (e.g., going to a dojo, moving home, attending an exhibition).
• Unlawful possession can result in up to six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different rules — consult local legal advice if in doubt.
• As of September 2024, an additional exemption was added for blunt swords — but this is irrelevant for authentic sharpened nihonto, which qualify under the traditional manufacture exemption.

Canadian federal law categorises swords as knives (edged weapons), and private ownership is generally legal for those over 18. Provincial regulations are more significant than federal rules when it comes to actual possession. Most provinces permit sword ownership for collecting, display, and martial arts purposes without registration or permits.

Importing from Japan follows the same export procedure, with antique nihonto typically qualifying for preferential duty treatment under Canada's antiques tariff provisions. Public carry is prohibited under criminal law provisions relating to concealed weapons. Transport between home and authorised locations (martial arts schools, exhibitions) should be in a locked, covered case.

• Check your specific province's regulations — Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia may have additional requirements.
• Carrying a sword in public for any reason is a criminal offence; transport must be to and from a specific, demonstrably legitimate destination.
• Customs Canada may inspect shipments; ensure all export documentation from Japan is complete and physically accompanies the sword.

Australia presents the most complex state-by-state legal landscape for sword collectors in the English-speaking world. While swords are not illegal to own at the national level, individual states have enacted regulations of varying strictness — largely in response to several high-profile incidents involving swords in the early 2000s.

Victoria is the most restrictive state: swords are classified as prohibited weapons, and possession requires a specific permit unless the owner can demonstrate a genuine reason (recognised martial arts practice, legitimate collection, etc.). Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia generally permit sword ownership with fewer formal requirements, but all prohibit public carry and have specific rules around transport. Before purchasing, confirm the current status in your specific state with the relevant police or licensing authority.

• Victoria: swords classified as prohibited weapons — obtain a prohibited weapons permit or confirm your activity qualifies for an exemption before importing.
• All other states: ownership generally legal for adults, but confirm state-specific requirements.
• Import through Australian Border Force requires full export documentation from Japan; ABF may inspect packages containing edged weapons.
• GST (10%) applies to all imports regardless of antique status; antique duty exemption reduces tariff but not GST.
• Public carry is a criminal offence in all states; transport must be secured, covered, and to a specific legitimate destination.

Germany's Waffengesetz (Weapons Act) classifies swords as "other weapons" rather than firearms, and private ownership is generally permitted for collectors and martial artists without a specific licence. There is no registration requirement for swords as cultural objects or antiques. However, the "legitimate use" requirement is taken seriously — owning a sword purely as a trophy without a demonstrable collecting or martial arts context can attract scrutiny.

Import from Japan follows EU customs procedures. Antique swords (HS 9706) enter Germany at 0% EU tariff; VAT (currently 19%) applies. Germany uses a Netherlands-based logistics hub as part of Tozando's EU shipping network for smoother customs clearance.

• Ownership is legal but "legitimate use" (collecting, martial arts, historical research) should be documentable.
• Public carry is prohibited; transport must be in a locked, non-accessible container.
• VAT applies on the declared value including shipping cost — budget approximately 19% on top of the sword price for total landed cost.

France classifies swords under its weapons legislation as Category B items — regulated but not prohibited. Private ownership for collecting and legitimate sporting/martial arts purposes is generally legal. Sharp blades may require a declaration to authorities, and the collector context should be demonstrable. Tozando ships directly to France via UPS with full insurance, and the necessary export documentation from Japan facilitates smooth customs processing.

• Keep documentation confirming the sword is a cultural artifact and collector piece.
• Public carry is prohibited; transport is restricted to specific lawful purposes in a covered, secured container.
• VAT (currently 20%) applies on landed value; antique classification reduces or eliminates import tariff.
• Legal shipping to residential and commercial addresses is generally possible with full documentation.

The Netherlands is the location of Tozando's European logistics hub, enabling efficient delivery across the EU. Tozando routes EU shipments through the Netherlands hub to facilitate smoother customs clearance and reliable delivery across all EU member states. Both the Netherlands and Belgium permit private sword ownership for collecting purposes without specific permits. Public carry is prohibited; storage and transport rules follow general EU weapons transport guidelines.

Italy permits private sword ownership for collectors but has a specific logistical requirement: legal swords must be shipped to a commercial address, not directly to a private residence. In practice, this means Italian buyers should arrange delivery to a registered business address — a dealer, a martial arts school, or a similar commercial recipient — who then transfers the sword to the private collector. Tozando is familiar with this requirement and can advise Italian buyers on the correct delivery arrangement.

New Zealand follows broadly similar principles to Australia. Sword ownership is legal for adults with a genuine reason — collecting, martial arts practice, or historical interest — but swords can be classified as restricted weapons under certain circumstances. Confirm current New Zealand Police guidelines before importing. Public carry is prohibited; storage should be secure and out of reach of those without a legitimate interest.

Japan's sword laws are included here for reference — relevant to collectors who visit Japan or who purchase from Japan. Every nihonto in Japan must be registered under the Jū-tō-hō with the prefectural Board of Education. Only traditionally made swords by licensed Japanese smiths are eligible for registration; mass-produced swords, foreign-made blades, and WWII military-production shōwatō cannot be registered. The Toroku-sho is surrendered when the sword is exported. Public carry is absolutely prohibited; swords must be securely stored and can only be transported for specific, documented purposes (maintenance, appraisal, submission for NBTHK examination).