[wiki]

I'm just thinking through my list of things to pack and I'm a bit stuck on two inherited fur items.

I know I probably won't ever wear them, but I've got a fox fur coat from one dead English relative and a fur stole from my grandma.

(apologies if this upsets any anti-hunt/animal protection people, but I figure if the animal has already suffered in a time when that was more permissable, I'm okay to keep them now)

Has anyone else shipped ancient fur coats and did MAF need to inspect them? Would I be better to take them on the plane and deal with MAF at the airport?

I've also got an old cavalry sword that I picked up for about £80 which I've since found is about 200 years old. I use it for decorative purposes, but should I declare it on the MAF form as a weapon (the form seems to mention swordsticks, and not swords)

Any advice would be happily accepted

[Ana&Steve]

stole from my grandma.

(apologies if this upsets any anti-hunt/animal protection people,


I'm offended you steal from your grandma! *jk*

Seriously, we have a similar situation, with furs, leather, and swords, and I think you just make sure you declare everything and also make sure the furs are packed separate and in the front of the container, along with anything else that MAF will want to inspect/spray. Avalon once posted about this, and I think her post has been linked to recently in another thread.
Hope that helps,
Ana

[Ana&Steve]

Me again..found the thread I was thinking of, which has personal experiences as well as excerpts and links of official rules.
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5976&highlight=shipping+inspection
Ana

[veronica]

think that you are best to declare them and sword and let Maf know. might be as well to get the coats cleaned and get a receipt in case that helps.

As for offending the animal welfare brigade. those animals died at a time when it wasn't an issue and dumping the items now would achieve anything. Be different if it was a Bengal tiger coat you bought last week :-)

[Avalon]

Yep - declare it - and put all this stuff aside in a separate "MAF" box. Chances are it'll all come through

[wiki]

Thank you so much for that help. It certainly puts my mind at rest.

My gran died a few years ago, so I'm pleading "not guilty" to the fur stealing. And on checking last night, the coat is red squirrell (even more un-pc than I thought) and the stole is fox ... but both are more than 60 years old.

Avalon, I'm very impressed with the sort of things you brought in - horn spoons and mead cups sound gorgoeus. And it reminded me I do have an antler-handled spoon somewhere. *adds to declaration list*

I've also got a reindeer pelt from my travels to Finland, but to be honest that moults so badly that I'm tempted to sell it even if we don't get permission to go!

[Avalon]

Avalon, I'm very impressed with the sort of things you brought in - horn spoons and mead cups sound gorgoeus. And it reminded me I do have an antler-handled spoon somewhere. *adds to declaration list*
!
Years of banqueting and dressing up in swanky costumes are to blame! I really was worried that I would lose a lot of stuff that meant a lot to me. ANd then equally gobsmacked when it all got through without a hitch.