UK Bokken Customs

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[Alexander Lee]

Hi all,
Ive recently purchased two bokken in Japan. I was wondering if I would be able to bring it back in a cardboard box marked as fragile.

As far as Ive researched bokken are not offensive weapons per se and as a training weapon I should be able to bring them back.

Cheers,
Alexander

PS: For those wondering why I didnt check before purchasing, the two bokken are currently at my brother's home in Malaysia where they were shipped (perhaps I should just ship them?)

[Michael Douglas]

You can bring bokken in any way you want.
The customs blokes have no interest in such things.
I've taken more interesting things through ... declare, go through red, they will take one look and let you in.
(Or you can post them, makes no difference.)

[BokkenReview]

I can't imagine customs cares about two wooden sticks.

[Carl Thompson]

I’ve taken bokken through customs several times in a few countries and had no trouble. Often customs are particular about people bringing wooden objects into the country, but if you declare everything, they usually just have a quick look at them and wave you through. It can actually be quicker to get through customs if the “anything to declare line is short”.

Disclaimer: If the customs official stares in horror at your brutal, wood-borne-disease-carrying weapons, and has you taken into a cubicle for the “rubber-glove treatment” – I was just telling you my own experience. I think you would be unlucky for that to happen though.

Carl