Because knifeknuts are a friendly bunch, we will help you out. Although the question has been asked often, I guess there's no sticky or anything.
1. What can I import, export or possess?
There are a few primary legislation governing this topic. There may be subsidiary legislation, regulations and guidelines but you'll need to do some legal research on your own and if you have time.
Arms and Explosives Act:
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/sear...49-555fc9998837" Status:inforce Depth:0;rec=0
It deals with the import, possession, buying/selling of 'arms' which includes bayonets, swords, daggers, spears and spearheads.
An exception is made for the ownership of the above whereby it is not an offence to own for eg. a sword/dagger which is for ornamental or curio - this is why it is legal to buy swords as long as you import it legally and with a licence.
Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act:
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/sear...847-758d-40d9-8440-289b1fe30697;rec=0#pr7-he-
It deals with the carrying of 'offensive weapons' and 'scheduled weapon' in public.
“offensive weapon” includes any instrument which if used as a weapon of offence is likely to cause hurt;
“scheduled weapon” means any offensive weapon specified in the Second Schedule.
[Second Schedule]
Scheduled weapons
1. Any knife, sometimes known as a flick knife, which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife.
2. Any knife, sometimes known as a gravity knife, which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force and which, when released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever or other device.
3. Any whip manufactured from bicycle or motor cycle chains or from any similar kind of chainwork.
4. All kinds of knuckledusters.
5. Any blade or other instrument attached to or forming part of a bicycle pump, metal-pipe or stick, and concealed therein, which is capable of being used for cutting or stabbing.
6. Any sword, machete or parang, axe, sickle, bearing scraper, spear, bayonet, iron rod, or nancha-ku (segments of wood or metal joined by a chain, leather strap or cord).
7. Any knife, sometimes known as a wasp knife, which is capable of injecting a ball of compressed gas that freezes both human and animal tissues and organs surrounding the point of injection.
2. The SPF website helps to put this together in an easy to understand communication for the layman, and clarifies a little on 'licensing' in relation to the importation. It goes further to clarify what items require licensing (because as you can see, the primary legislation is quite widely drafted).
http://www.spf.gov.sg/licence/frameset_AE.html
But in a nutshell, this pictorial FAQ makes it easy for owner, users and collectors to know what they can buy (whether locally or imported) or otherwise:
http://www.spf.gov.sg/licence/AE/FAQ- Items.pdf
The preface in that PDF doc summarises it well:
Permissible Items are not regulated and no licence or permit is required for their import, export or possession. However unlawful possession of such permissible items in any public place may constitute to an offence of Possession of Offensive Weapon or Scheduled Weapon under the Corrosive and Explosives Substances and Offensive Weapons Act.
3. So, in your case:
- if your zombie sword is deemed to be a sword (maybe, as the blade length is 17"), then the item will require an import licence. The item will be detained and you'll need to present yourself at Cantonment to clear the item. There is no guarantee that you will be granted the import licence (there's some fee involved) - I have heard of requests being turned down and vice versa. If you want to be 100% sure, just email SPF and give them details of the item - links, pictures etc and they can advise you further.
- you may not carry that sword around in public unless you have a lawful purpose. Unless you want to be charged and prosecuted. Note the penalties - they are harsh. Note that a sword is a 'scheduled weapon', so the authorities don't have to prove that:
- it is an offensive weapon; and
- it was being carried in public.
So mere possession of a sword allows authorities to charge you if you don't have a lawful purpose, say - display, ornamental, art/exercise/ceremonial etc etc.
Hope that helps. You can donate USD10 to my paypal account to pay for my coffee and cookies
I shall save this as a text document and help to post it when others ask.
thanks for the contribution
