A once 'secret' method to buy swords in the USA and ship them internationally on the cheap..

It is easy to buy swords in the USA. Indeed, most US based sword collectors are literally spoiled as many sword stores simply don't (or can't) ship their swords overseas either due to fraud concerns, USPS shipping and length restrictions, import restrictions (especially the UK) or just carriers flat out refusing to carry them for no legitimate reason other than, they can..

In many cases, non-USA sword buyers just give up and resign themselves to massive local markups on a severely limited selection by buying locally, because despite monopolies and massive markups by comparison, it's just easier (and sometimes, pretty much the only way). We list these below:

But there is another way..Kind of.. And no, it's not a futuristic drone service of 'Sword Air'..

We can all dream. But a good mail forwarder is the next best thing next best thing...

Please note: These shipping methods are not foolproof and not 100% guaranteed. Despite the fact that almost all sword collectors are good, honest citizens and collect swords for many legitimate reasons - such as historical research, stage props, re-enactments, traditional martial arts practice and heck, even Belly Dancing, local import regulations are not always cut and dried.

So please do your own research and contact the providers listed here for the most up to date information should you have any doubts or concerns.

Enter the Mail Forwarder!

These services were originally designed primarily designed for US Ex-pats, Digital Nomads and other 'globetrotters' to receive their mail and packages from the USA, but over the years are increasingly being used by people living outside America who simply want to be able to directly access the USA market (as many sites, not just sword related, do not ship overseas because of factors such as the risk of fraud, the hassle of additional paperwork and difficulty of arranging returns on defective items, or are simply have an agreement with the Master distributor or the maker to only sell within a given 'territory').

Essentially what happens is that these services provide you with a 'Suite' or street address and either order direct for you from the site in question or you just use your American address and they will consolidate and ship when you are ready for them to. They are very professional and because they get access to bulk shipping rates, usually considerably CHEAPER than if you were to have the item shipped to you directly by the seller!

The Problems is that in recent years, these services have show almost disdain for their sword collecting customers.. Not all forwarders are equal, many prohibit 'sharp objects', 'weapons' and some even explicitly mention swords..

So here are some that either did (or still do, if you can jump through the right current hoops), though please note - as the situation is changing all the time we cannot guarantee any of the services listed below.

We will try to keep you updated, but it is changing all the darned time so please do your own due diligence and if you find out something new, please report it by contacting us directly.

BUT FIRST A WARNING:
Three Services to AVOID
Shipto, US Global Mail & My US

One forwarder went from hero to zero recently, and that is the forwarder 'Planet Express'. They actually reached out to us a few years ago and promoted themselves as the next best thing to 'sword air' but in late 2022 they started refusing multiple shipments, stopped answering basic questions and ignored our own inquires as to what is going on. So it would seem that apparently the sword industry is too much work/trouble for them and wish to officially withdraw our support for their services.

Another has also gone down BIG TIME over the last few years. I used to swear by Access USA/My US but now their customer support is truly awful, they have become extremely unreliable and their prices have exploded with many new hidden fees and charges.

While both of these were once highly respected and the 'go to' choices for sword enthusiasts, this is sadly no longer the case, which is the same as US Global Mail who refuse to carry swords.

And then they were just joined by 'Shipto' as they use DHL and DHL can usually ship swords without panicking.. This last one is a saga, so let me let the customer best explain it..

Shipto Nightmare

AT first our hapless customer was told 'no problems', we cam carry swords. Then once arrived, they advised: "Items of this nature are considered tactical weapons, and cannot ship internationally. Please have these items returned back to the sender to proceed with shipping. Please contact customer support for any questions or concerns regarding your package"

So the hapless customer thought, lets try anoher service and give US Gobal Mail a shot.

Who said the same thing, but their excuse was basically 'we are too lazy to do the paperwork for you'as thier exact quote was "Our Shipping Supervisor has informed me that, unfortunately, we won't be able to ship swords because the import restrictions in different countries change too much. So sorry about that!
Please let us know if we can help with anything further."

Well, shipping a sword would be kind of nice..

Finally, Planet Express (one of the bad guys!) siad 'okay, we will do it - but only with Fedex'.

I will let the customer explain the next surreal momnet..

"Shipito then cancelled the Shipment AGAIN telling me: Swords cannot be shipped using our shipping methods internationally. The package will need to be returned to the original sender. Please contact customer support if you have any questions.

I thought like: WTF?!

I am sending the package from Torrance CA to Torrance CA - exactly 1,7 miles in the same town...

Contacted their customer Support who said she would talk to the warehouse so I tried a third time:

Result:

Unfortunately, the items in your package are considered tactical and cannot ship neither internationally nor domestic.The package will need to be returned to the original sender with a prepaid label provided by them..DEFINITE NO GO

ANYONE LEFT?

It seems some will do it at some times and not at others. Its a very, very expensive crapshoot and the domestic sword markets are looking more and more attractive..

But here's a few more that may or may not work. We can't guarantee anything with these - Caveat Emptor guys..

PLANET EXPRESS

We have had some run ins with them over the years. But at the time of writing this article in early 2025 they can and will ship to Fed ex under the following conditions.

"DISCLAIMER: Knives, blades, swords, etc., cannot ship via DHL, Planet Mail, Aramex, Asendia and Yamato. Blades are not allowed to the UK and Australia, with any shipping method. FedEx can ship this item to most countries, except for the UK and Australia. Please email or chat with our support team if you have any questions about shipping..."

Quote from their "Terms and Conditions Page": (https://planetexpress.com/terms-and-conditions/)

Knives, Blades, Sword etc. cannot ship via DHL, Planet Mail, Aramex, Yamato, and USPS anywhere in the world (but Fed Ex is okay)
Knives, Blades, Sword etc. cannot be shipped to Australia, or the UK with any of the shipping methods available. Why? No explanation..

But out of all the lost options, these guys seem to be one of the last (for now). Ad not so expensive, $150 for 6 APOC swords to Austria is almost US prices!

USA2ME

Now we are starting to get into untested waters. USA2ME is a popular forwarding service and if you look at their restricted item policy here they only mention ITAR rated military weapons as prohibited (so no grenades, etc). The only catch, they basically reserve the right of refusal with the final sentence (Any item that is deemed illegal, dangerous, illicit by USA2Me.com) so it might be a good idea to confirm with you before you buy swords and ship to them..

But we are getting towards the last of the options to buy swords and get them sent to you at a decent price (or get access to swords that simply do not ship outside of the USA). However recently, they started refusing swords too. Grenades, no problems. But swords, guess they will jump out of the box and attack the pilots..

USA2ME

Aeropost

This is a special service that covers pretty much all of the Caribbean and SOUTH America - from Anguilla to Venezuela and pretty much every other country in between throughout the region. They can and do ship swords, and will even help with the paperwork because sometimes swords sail on in, and other times even Aeropost cannot help, so it's not perfect. But for the area it covers, it may well be the best way to buy swords and have them shipped to you if you live South of the border or in the beautiful Caribbean (lucky you)

Aeropost

Conclusion

There are several other services available. A quick google search on 'international mail forwarding' will reveal several pages of potential forwarding services.

The shipping carriers are not the problem. DHL and Fedex will usually carry them, but the forwarders are the ones being difficult!

So the big key is, check FIRST! COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!

Customers must contact the parcel forwarder with pictures of the swords and request these to be handled, before ordering with SBG. If the forwarder (like Planet Express) says "Yes, but only with FedEx" - the customer needs to check with the shipping calculator if they are fine with the conditions and then order.

Just make sure that you explain you are a legitimate sword collector and ask if they have had any issues shipping swords in the past first before you jump in. It's worth the trouble because when it works, it opens up a whole world of sword buying opportunities at great prices that most Non North American sword buyers are simply locked out of...

You can still get stuck, but its so much better to be told 'no' than risk it and lose the whole darned sword..