Yes — we ship authentic Japanese swords to the United Kingdom. We dispatch to the UK by UPS, fully tracked and insured, with formal export clearance from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and all UK import declarations prepared for you. Here is exactly how your sword travels from our Kyoto showroom to your door in the UK.

Are Japanese Swords Legal to Import into the UK?

Yes — genuine Japanese swords are legal to own and import in the UK. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended in 2008), curved swords with a blade of 50 cm or more are restricted; however, the law specifically exempts swords made before 1954 (antiques) and swords made by traditional methods of production by hand. Authentic Japanese swords — whether antique nihonto or blades hand-forged by licensed smiths using traditional methods — fall squarely within these exemptions and can be lawfully imported.

What the exemption requires is evidence of traditional manufacture, and every sword we ship is supplied with exactly that (see below). For a fuller overview, see our guide on how to legally own a Japanese sword. Please note that carrying a sword in public is not permitted in the UK; swords should be kept and transported responsibly in a secured case, for a lawful purpose such as collecting, display, or martial arts.

The Import Declarations We Prepare for You

To satisfy UK customs, every UK shipment includes the declarations that demonstrate your sword qualifies for lawful import — completed by us, so you don't have to.

• Sword Declaration — confirms the blade meets the UK exemption (made by traditional methods by hand and/or an antique), stating the sword's length and blade type, with a photograph, signed by us as the exporter.
• Work of Art / Antique / Collectors' Item Declaration — for antique swords, this declares that the piece was made more than 100 years before importation, supporting the reduced import VAT treatment the UK applies to antiques.

Your sword arrives with the correct paperwork already in place.

How Your Sword Leaves Japan Lawfully

Every sword is exported with formal permission. Before shipping, we confirm the sword's registration certificate (torokusho) and obtain export approval from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. This official process is your assurance that the blade is a genuine, registered Japanese sword — not a reproduction — and that it is leaving Japan entirely lawfully. It is also the evidence of traditional manufacture that the UK exemption calls for.

From Our Kyoto Showroom to Your Door

1. Export approval in Japan — we secure the export permit from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
2. Careful packing in Kyoto — your sword is packed to protect the blade and its koshirae for the journey.
3. Insured transit by UPS with tracking — your sword is dispatched to the UK by UPS, fully tracked and insured, with the UK import declarations enclosed.
4. UK customs and delivery — your sword clears UK customs and is delivered to your door. We contact you directly with tracking details and help with anything you need along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aren't samurai swords banned in the UK?
The 2008 restriction targets cheap, mass-produced replica curved swords. Genuine hand-forged and antique Japanese swords are specifically exempt and legal to import. We supply the Sword Declaration and export documentation that prove your sword qualifies.

Will I have to pay import VAT or duty?
Any import VAT or duty is the recipient's responsibility, as with any international order. UK import VAT is assessed on arrival; antiques over 100 years old qualify for the UK's reduced valuation for import VAT, which we support with the Work of Art / Antique / Collectors' Item Declaration. UK customs assess any charges on delivery. For more, see our guide on Japanese sword import tariffs.

How is it shipped, and how long does it take?
We dispatch to the UK by UPS, fully tracked and insured. Because every sword needs an export permit, the full process takes a few weeks; once dispatched, UPS delivery to the UK typically takes a number of business days, and you will receive tracking.

Do you handle the paperwork?
Yes. We prepare the export documents from Japan and the UK import declarations — the Sword Declaration and, for antiques, the Work of Art / Antique / Collectors' Item Declaration. You are not left to navigate customs alone.

Is shipping free, tracked, and insured?
Yes. Shipping to the UK is free of charge, and every sword is sent fully tracked and insured.

Browse Our Collection

Ready to find your sword? Explore our collection of authentic Japanese swords, or contact us with any question before you order — we are glad to help.