Samurai sword

[Ramandeep]

i would like to know whether i can import or bring in it in as person a "Katana" or more popularly known as samurai sword.

[DAN]

It's more popularly known as a "Katana" than what you call a "samurai sword" ramandeep.
Here's a 4 page topic on the same issue http://www.indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7708
Search the forum next time before posting next time.

[Subal das]

check this thread "Want to import Katana in luggage" in same section

[full_circle]

Ramandeep, you can get in touch with IFG member katana...

[boris]

in the last 3-4 days i got to talk to my seniors in karate who had contacts ,for a civilian if he is an experienced martial artist then for training purposes they are allowed to import it just like top shooters for import of firearms,unless you arent into martial arts its possible but very hard best is to go to japan yourself get the sword and get a certificate alongwith it from the dealer.

[Subal das]

that question rise here many times, why not to make sticky thread and get it answered once and for all.

according to http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india ... ule_I.html

Sharp-edged and deadly weapons ... with blades longer than 9" or wider than 2" considered as a arm

and

http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india ... r_1_2.html

Licence for import and export of arms, etc.

(1) No person shall bring into, or take out of, India by sea, land or air any arms or ammunition unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder:

[Rajat]

,for a civilian if he is an experienced martial artist then for training purposes they are allowed to import it just like top shooters for import of firearms,unless you arent into martial arts its possible but very hard best is to go to japan yourself get the sword and get a certificate alongwith it from the dealer.

I consider this a very misleading post unless you post the appropriate Govt. Notifications along to support your claim / "assumption".

However, if this is correct and you can give us the details it will be very helpful and enlightening.

[boris]

well i just talked to the chairman of the mugai-ryu iaido assoc. in india,iaido is amongst the japanese sword arts.

see there are two types of samurai sword,iaito which is made of a metal that cannot be sharpened and it comes with a certificate that it is an unsharpened blade and doesnt cause damage as per indian law anyone can import it.

now coming to the real deal the real live blade swords which are very sharp -yes they can be imported but you have to apply for a license from the police/crime branch and here unless you are practising any jap. sword art or are an experienced martial arts practitioner getting that license is very hard,for those who are into the martial arts its fairly easy to get the license.i think i should apply for my license as i meet the criteria.

but again the good quality ones from japan cost starting from 4000 US dollars upwards.

now i have asked the best possible person in india about it so hope all doubts are cleared.

-- Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:14 pm --

well i just talked to the chairman of the mugai-ryu iaido assoc. in india,iaidois amongst the japanese sword arts.

see there are two types of samurai sword,iaito which is made of a metal that cannot be sharpened and it comes with a certificate that it is an unsharpened blade and doesnt cause damage as per indian law anyone can import it.

now coming to the real deal the real live blade swords which are very sharp -yes they can be imported but you have to apply for a license from the police/crime branch and here unless you are practising any jap. sword art or are an experienced martial arts practitioner getting that license is very hard,for those who are into the martial arts its fairly easy to get the license.i think i should apply for my license as i meet the criteria.

but again the good quality ones from japan cost starting from 4000 US dollars upwards.

now i have asked the best possible person in india about it so hope all doubts are cleared.

[Subal das]

that cleared unsharpened blade import, but not import of actual sword.

what kind of license are you going to get, arm license to own such sword

i.m. such license does not give you rights to import that kind of sword, as for import you may need IEC and import license, or you can buy such sword from some dealer who has license to import such swords.

[boris]

subal sir,the chairman said its a normal license and valid only for martial arts practitioners.its not a firearm license, a sword is not as powerful as a firearm though both can kill.

anyway for those who have an intrest the unsharpened blade iaito is a good product my teacher has owned one.

[Subal das]

Sharp-edged and deadly weapons ... with blades longer than 9" or wider than 2" considered as an arm

so katana sword according to Indian law is considered as an ARM, so regulated by Indian Arms Act 1959
and Indian Arms Rules 1962

according to that rules blades longer than 9" or wider than 2" cannot be imported, there is no such special license for martial art practitioners, as far as I know. but I agree such sword can be owned once entered in arm license.

importing of actual blades as unsharpened blade iaito - smuggling.

I'm not a lawyer and i can be wrong. would be great if other members with better knowledge of laws can shade some light on that discussion.

[Rajat]

Boris talking to the chairman or the best possible person in India is just not enough. Either bring up a relevant notification here or do not discuss this further.

We all are willing to learn something new from you if any such thing exists else do not insist or offer such advice.

You know what I find funny here?
A person who claims to be an expert in martial arts (read Japanese sword arts) says " a sword is not as powerful as a firearm though both can kill"

[boris]

you know what i find funny here??

when i have posted that the chairman himseld used the same license procedure for himself to import the sword and has been used by many in india is in itself simple enough to show the legal side.indian law is one big subject certain procedures might not be stated and there are certain laws which we have no idea why they are there/what is the logic behind them.

a sword can kill but like a 9mm can it kill you at ranges of upto 35 m.this is where i meant that "it isnt as powerful" at a short range of 3ft with just hands when can break a persons neck and can kill him or cause severe damage.and guess what you might find even this funny that after years of training we believe that if used correctly even simple objects can be used as a weapon.

[Subal das]

boris, I can tell you what is not funny. Not funny if your friends will get into troubles just because of you bringing them into this discussion. It is open public board any one can read. you should not bring someone's activity as justification in such case.

get it clear in your head, stone is not a weapon according to law. .177 air rifle is not a weapon, but katana is a weapon - ARM, does no matter it is fire arm or just arm. what consequences it may be if some one possess katana and it is not entered into his valid arm license. it is same as having illegal fire arms and it means jail.

if some have katana entered into his license, he may be asked from where it been procured and if it was imported it means jail. that is pretty simple and jail is not a fun for sure.

in case if you are right and there is some exclusion some notifications been issued in favor of martial arts practitioners, lets find out. Indian law is confusing indeed, but your arguments are not valid till your can show some documents proving it.

[boris]

then the best thing for you guys to do is to ask the police authorities ,period.they are the enforcer's of the law who better to ask.