* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Export of Japanese Art Swords and Export Inspection Certificate for Antique Art Objects
美術刀剣の輸出と古美術品輸出鑑査証明
The current system under which, when antique artworks including Japanese swords (nihontō) are exported overseas, the exporter obtains an Export Inspection Certificate for Antique Art Objects from the Agency for Cultural Affairs confirming that the item is not designated a National Treasure, Important Cultural Property, or the like, and submits it to customs at clearance. Its purpose is to prevent the outflow of cultural properties abroad, and it forms the premise of international sword trade.
Description
Purpose of the System
Japan's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties and related laws generally prohibit, in principle, the export overseas of art objects designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties and of items certified as Important Art Objects, in order to prevent valuable national property from being lost abroad by mistake. Japanese swords are often designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties as works of art and craftsmanship, so when they are exported, a procedure to confirm that the sword has received none of these designations or certifications is indispensable.
Procedure Flow
When attempting to export an antique artwork, the exporter must first obtain an Export Inspection Certificate for Antique Art Objects. This certificate confirms that the sword or other item to be exported is not designated a National Treasure or Important Cultural Property and does not fall under recognized Important Art Objects. If there are no deficiencies in the application form, it is issued in principle within 10 business days. For a Japanese sword, the application for this inspection certificate requires submission of a copy of the Sword Registration Certificate (Tōken Tōroku-shō) issued by the prefectural board of education.
Customs Clearance and Return of the Registration Certificate
The issued certificate (original) is submitted to customs when filing the export declaration. The certificate is valid for one year and is valid for only one export. When multiple items are being exported, an attached document in itemized list form is prepared when applying for the inspection certificate and submitted together with the application form. The registration certificate becomes invalid at the moment it is taken out of the country, so it must be returned to the board of education of the prefecture where it was registered.
Its Place in Today's International Sword Trade
The inspection certificate system functions as a stage preceding export customs clearance, and the presence or absence of the registration certificate and the inspection certificate determines whether a sword may be traded across national borders. When transferring a Japanese sword to an overseas collector or museum, passing through this series of administrative procedures is legally mandated. The cultural property protection framework established after the war forms the foundation that supports today's international sword distribution.
Characteristics of This Era
- The Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties and related laws generally prohibit the export overseas of National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, and recognized Important Art Objects
- Obtaining an Export Inspection Certificate for Antique Art Objects, which confirms that none of these designations applies, is a prerequisite for export
- Applying for the inspection certificate requires a copy of the Sword Registration Certificate (issued by the prefectural board of education)
- The original of the issued inspection certificate is submitted to customs when filing the export declaration; its validity period is one year, and it is limited to one export
- The inspection certificate is in principle issued within 10 business days if there are no deficiencies in the application form
- The inspection certificate functions as a stage preceding customs export clearance; after export, the registration certificate is returned to the prefecture where it was registered
- When multiple items are exported, an attached document in itemized list form is required