Swords are shipped by Express Mail Service to and from Japan and the charge is $200. per blade. This covers the shipping, packing and handling of items to and from artisans (which can be several per item) and Shinsa organizations, while in Japan, as well as the journeys to and from Japan.

The level of insurance coverage for the journey to and from Japan can be set either by the owner or the agent and the premium is 1.5%. Items can be insured for the entire time they are in Japan, as well as the journey both ways, but we have never found it necessary to do this. The premium, in such a case, could be very expensive.

All sword blades entering and leaving Japan must be registered and de-registered and this is a time-consuming business. Torokusho, as it is called, involves the unpacking of items in the presence of Customs officials, waiting hours while they are duly recorded and then re-packing the items and having them shipped to the agent, who just re-packed them. This procedure has to be gone through again, when the item is de-registered and given export permission. We charge $150. per blade for this service.