Shipping to Germany?

[brannow]

Hi All,


I have a shipping question. Are there any issues in sending an army dagger and WWI US knuckle knife to Germany from the US?


Thanks in advance!


Bill Rannow
Mpls, MN

[ivbaust]

As long as there are no forbidden symbols on the items (e.g. swastika, SS runes, etc.), it shouldn’t be a problem.

If such symbols are on the item, it can be a problem.

It depends mainly on the size of the package, on the information on the customs declaration and on the screening images.

The package is usually screened (x-Ray) and assessed a first time by German customs at the arriving airport (mainly Frankfurt).

The customs officer there have now 2 possibilities:

1) to release the package to the recipient (no further action required)

2) to send the package to a local customs office nearby the recipient. Then the recipient is notified to show up at the local customs office to pick up the shipment personally. One the one side they check the content there (for forbidden items) and you have to open the package in front of a customs officer. They inspect the content and they can claim value-added tax for items over $30 (which is a little more than 20%). When there are forbidden symbols on the item (e.g. swaz) it depends on the individual customs officer if he‘s willing to release the shipment without hassle or not. It is not forbidden to import original nazi items with forbidden symbols, but you have to proof a certain reason for it. And this can be complicated.

Hope that answers your questions.

[Luko]

I do not know how it looks nowadays, but Germans never allowed to take back any WWII items with Hakenkreuz or any ''banned symbols''. No matter, if the item is from period (pre May 1945) or fantasy piece.

They have had opportunity to get for free one of the biggest eagle from war ship found few years back, but they refused it, because of Hakenkreuz...

At the end you can try luck, all depends on who will have the parcel in their hands by customs.


Luko.

[JohnZ]

Another option is to send the package to a contact in another EU country and have them resend it.

I have used contacts in the UK and in Scandinavia for this. If the parcel comes into Germany from an EU or a Schengen country, it will not attract customs review.

John

[ivbaust]

In Germany it is illegal and penalized to import post 1945 copies of nazi items with forbidden symbols.

Under selected, very particular circumstances it is allowed to import original pre 1945 nazi items with forbidden symbols, e.g. if they are bought for research or science purposes. It’s regulated in §86 of the German criminal code.

The challenge is to proof this particular circumstance to the customs officer. It depends if he believes you or not. If he doesn’t accept the explanation, the item will be confiscated without refund.

The only last remaining chance is then to hire a lawyer and claim for the item. This step usually costs more money than the actual item.

So it can be quite a challenge to send items to Germany!

[Billy G]

John's suggestion of shipping to another EU country first is an excellent one. It may take longer & cost more but it does minimizethe seizure of the item.

[Mac 66]

Another option is to send the package to a contact in another EU country and have them resend it.

I have used contacts in the UK and in Scandinavia for this. If the parcel comes into Germany from an EU or a Schengen country, it will not attract customs review.

John

Bingo

[Serge M.]

Excellent suggestions here by guys that know.

I hear that the German Militaria Auction House, Ratisbons, will no longer accept consignments from the U.S.
They must have had Custom's problems.

[Immelmann]

I do not know how it looks nowadays, but Germans never allowed to take back any WWII items with Hakenkreuz or any ''banned symbols''. No matter, if the item is from period (pre May 1945) or fantasy piece.

They have had opportunity to get for free one of the biggest eagle from war ship found few years back, but they refused it, because of Hakenkreuz...

At the end you can try luck, all depends on who will have the parcel in their hands by customs.


Luko.

Not quite true...they have now purchased it for an un disvlosed sum and will be melting it down to create a holocaust jewish star memorial to be placed in the Tiergarten, Berlin.

[Luko]

Not quite true...they have now purchased it for an un disvlosed sum and will be melting it down to create a holocaust jewish star memorial to be placed in the Tiergarten, Berlin.

Really? I did not hear about this. What a shame, it has been great eagle!

[brannow]

Thanks Guys!


Bill Rannow
Mpls, MN