Twice in the last year I've seen items made in UK that I really wanted to buy, but did not as don't want any nasty surprises from either side's customs process. The makers' advice is unhelpful - its up to the buyer. Concerns are large surprise taxes or even confiscation if there are rules against (say a sword, large axe or large seax). I would not mind paying reasonable taxes if necessary (as long as I know what it could be, worst case, when I buy) but I will not take the risk of losing many $ to opaque bureacratic rules.

Any advice from experience or knowledge of customs rules? Thanks!

I've bought numerous things from overseas and have had to pay a tariff only once. England has been the easiest in my experience. Packages from there have arrived the fastest, with Czech being second fastest. The only tariff I had to pay was from Czech. If you're worried about extra fees just factor in an extra hunred bucks to the price that you keep aside until it arrives. That way you have the money if you need it and if not it's a good start for your next purchase! Fortunately we live in the USA where owning weapons is still legal in most areas. If you're concerned abou the items being confiscated you may want to check your local laws first.

I had no trouble buying my crossbow from Tod and having it shipped here - in fact it arrived very quickly to my surprise.

I have bought dirks and sgian dubhs from a Scottish maker for some time with no duties and no hassle. The major problems I have had, and there have been few of those, involved exporting items. Not knowing what items are not acceptable to the authorities overseas can result in a call from the local postal inspector.

I've received several things from the UK (and from the Continent). These items are handed off from the country's delivery system to our US Postal Service and delivered to our doors. There have been no issues and nothing has been subjected to duties, taxes, custom issues, etc.

The UK has pretty tough laws on most of this stuff, so if a UK vendor is selling it (and is credible), then you can be pretty sure it is UK legal. This means it will not be confiscated on the UK side.

If it gets out of the UK then you can be pretty sure your laws in are less strict (except as a general rule Scandinavia and Australia) so it will get through your customs OK.

As regards import duties I can't comment specifically, but a recent package I sent seemed to be due about 8% when it hit your side.

If the item is legal on both sides and it doesn't get through then insurance will cover it.

FYI I have had 2 packages in about 10 years dissappear when going to the states. 1 I know I forgot to put the customs form on, so my fault. The other just dissappeared, so basically 1 package in maybe 500 and I got insurance for that.

Personally as a buyer I would say if a seller shugs his shoulders and says 'not my problem' do you really want to deal with him?

As a guide the UK has very tough firearms laws, curved swords are restricted but not banned for sale in the UK (but not for export), conceable weapons such as belt buckle knives are banned, and exlusively offensive weapons such as gravity knives, flick knives, throwing stars and punch daggers are banned. Pretty much everything else is legal.

Regards

Tod