Shipping Japanese Swords to Europe
For years, collectors across much of Europe were told the same thing: we cannot ship a Japanese sword to your country. That has changed. Through our European forwarding hub in the Netherlands, we now deliver throughout the European Union — fully tracked, insured, and with free shipping.
Why European Collectors Had to Wait
A nihonto is not an ordinary parcel. Export documentation, national import rules, and the simple fact that it is a blade have long meant that most international couriers would carry Japanese swords to only a small handful of European countries. Collectors in Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg and many other nations were left with two choices: slow sea freight with little visibility, or nothing at all.
We were never comfortable with either. Entrusting a certified antique blade — often centuries old, and in most cases the only one of its kind — to weeks of untracked transit is not a service we were willing to recommend.
So in spring of this year we built the alternative ourselves.
Our European Hub in the Netherlands
Rather than searching for a single carrier willing to reach every European address from Japan, we established a forwarding hub in the Netherlands. Your sword travels from Kyoto to that hub as a fully tracked, insured international shipment, and is then forwarded to your address by a trusted carrier appropriate to your country.
The result is straightforward: a route that reaches across the European Union, without ever placing your sword on an untracked or uninsured leg of the journey.
- Prepared and documented in Kyoto Your sword is packed by our specialists with the export documentation required to leave Japan legally.
- Flown to our Netherlands hub The blade travels as a tracked, insured international shipment under its first tracking number.
- Forwarded to your country From the hub, your sword is dispatched to your address by a trusted carrier — and a new tracking number is issued for this final stage, which we send to you.
- Delivered to your door Most orders arrive within roughly two weeks of dispatch from Japan.
Two Tracking Numbers, One Continuous Journey
Because your order is forwarded through our European hub, your shipment will have two tracking numbers: one for the journey from Japan to the Netherlands, and a second for the final delivery to your country.
This is normal and expected. We send you the second number as soon as it is issued, so that your sword remains traceable from the moment it leaves Kyoto until it reaches your hands. If you ever find that your original tracking number has stopped updating, it simply means your sword has reached the hub and is being prepared for the final stage — please contact us and we will confirm exactly where it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship a Japanese sword to my country in Europe?
Yes. Through our forwarding hub in the Netherlands, we deliver authentic Japanese swords throughout the European Union — including countries we were previously unable to serve, such as Spain and Luxembourg.
National regulations on the ownership and import of blades differ from country to country, and a small number of European nations restrict private purchases. If you have any doubt about your own country, please contact us before ordering and we will confirm your situation directly.
How long does delivery to Europe take?
Most orders reach their destination in Europe within approximately two weeks of dispatch from Japan. Delivery times can vary slightly depending on your country and on customs processing.
How much does shipping to Europe cost?
Shipping is free. There is no delivery charge on swords sent to Europe, including the forwarding stage through our Netherlands hub.
Please note that import duties or taxes levied by your own country are separate from shipping and remain the responsibility of the recipient.
Is my sword insured while in transit?
Yes. Your sword is insured throughout its journey, on both the international leg from Japan and the final delivery within Europe.
Can I track my order?
Yes, at every stage. You will receive a tracking number when your sword leaves Japan, and a second tracking number once it is forwarded from our Netherlands hub to your address. We send the second number to you as soon as it is issued.
Do I need to arrange any documentation myself?
No. We prepare all the documentation required for your sword to leave Japan legally, including its Japanese registration papers and export permission. You simply receive the parcel.
If your country requires anything additional on the import side, we will tell you before your order is dispatched.
Why is my sword being sent through the Netherlands?
Very few carriers will accept a Japanese sword travelling directly from Japan to every European address. By forwarding through our own hub in the Netherlands, we can reach the whole of the European Union while keeping your sword tracked and insured for the entire journey — rather than resorting to slow, unmonitored sea freight.
Is the sword I receive a genuine, certified Japanese sword?
Yes. Our antique blades are genuine nihonto, legally registered in Japan, and NBTHK certification is our standard for authentication where applicable. Each sword is personally examined by our specialists in Kyoto before it is offered for sale.
Browse Our Collection
Authentic Japanese swords, sourced and examined in Kyoto — now within reach across Europe.
View Available SwordsUnsure whether we can deliver to your country? Contact us and we will confirm before you order.
