Owning a katana in the United Kingdom is perfectly legal, but the law makes an important distinction between authentic, traditionally made Japanese swords and cheap, mass-produced curved blades. Understanding this distinction is the key to buying and owning a katana with complete confidence.
The relevant legislation is the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 Amendment No.2 Order 2008, and further updated by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Together, these laws ban the sale, import and possession of curved swords with a blade longer than 50 cm, unless a specific legal exemption applies.
No licence required. Unlike firearms, you do not need a government licence or permit to purchase or own a katana in the UK. You simply need to be aged 18 or over, and the sword must qualify under one of the exemptions below.
The 2008 ban was introduced following a rise in violence involving cheap imported blades marketed as “samurai swords”, not authentic Japanese weaponry. Genuine hand-forged katanas were never the target of the legislation, which is why broad exemptions were built in from the outset.
UK Law on Katanas : The 4 Legal Exemptions
A curved sword that would otherwise fall under the UK ban is fully legal to own, buy and sell if it meets at least one of the following conditions :
Made Before 1954 📜
Antique katanas produced before 1954 are exempt. These are considered historical artefacts and can be owned without restriction.
Hand-Forged Methods 🔨
Swords made using traditional hand-crafting methods, clay tempering, hand-polishing, hand-mounted fittings, are fully legal regardless of age.
🥋 Martial Arts & Religion
Katanas used for martial arts training, sporting demonstrations or religious ceremonies are exempt when used appropriately.
🏰 Historical Re-enactment
Swords used in historical re-enactments or sporting activities where public liability insurance is held are explicitly protected by law.
✅ All katanas sold on Japanese-Swords.co.uk are forged using centuries-old traditional hand-forged techniques and are therefore entirely legal to purchase, own and import into the United Kingdom.
Legal vs Illegal Katanas at a Glance
The law draws a clear line between authentic craftsmanship and mass-produced replicas. Here is how the most common sword types are treated under UK law:
| Sword Type | Legal Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-forged katana (traditional methods) | Legal | Exempt under the 2008 Amendment. Our entire range qualifies. |
| Antique katana (pre-1954) | Legal | Treated as a historical artefact; fully exempt. |
| Katana for martial arts / Iaido / Iaijutsu | Legal | Exempt when used for training or demonstration. |
| Decorative / wall-hanger (stainless steel) | Legal | Not classified as a weapon if clearly decorative. |
| Mass-produced curved sword (no exemption) | Illegal | Machine-made blades with no traditional craftsmanship documentation. |
| Ninja sword / ninjato (from Aug 2025) | Illegal | Banned under the CJA 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Amendment Order 2025. |
Importing a Katana into the UK
You can legally import a katana into the United Kingdom without a specific import licence, provided it qualifies under one of the exemptions above. UK customs may ask you to demonstrate compliance — here is what helps:
✔Invoice or receipt confirming the sword is hand-forged using traditional methods
✔Certificate of authenticity describing the forging process (clay tempering, hand polishing, etc.)
✔Any seller correspondence confirming the techniques used
✔Information about the steel type (Damascus, high-carbon folded steel, Maru…)
📦 Buying from Japanese-Swords.co.uk? All orders include full documentation confirming the traditional hand-forging process. You will always have what you need to demonstrate legal compliance at customs.
Carrying & Transporting a Katana in the UK
Even if your katana is entirely legal to own, UK law places strict restrictions on carrying it in a public place. A katana is classified as an offensive weapon, and walking in public with one — even sheathed — without a legitimate reason could result in arrest.
When is transport legal?
✔ Travelling directly to and from a martial arts class, dojo or Iaido training session
✔ Attending a historical re-enactment event where public liability insurance is held
✔ Transporting a sword to or from a specialist repair, polishing or appraisal service
✔ Moving a sword as part of a house move or collection transfer
Best practices when transporting
✔ Keep the sword in a secure, opaque bag or case — never openly visible
✔ Carry evidence of your purpose (club membership card, event invitation, receipt)
✘ Never carry a katana in public as a fashion accessory or for personal protection — this is illegal
✘ Never hand a katana to an untrained or unknown person in a public setting
Storage & Responsible Ownership
UK law does not currently mandate a specific storage method for swords kept at home, but responsible storage is both a legal safeguard and common sense. We recommend storing or displaying your katana on a dedicated katana stand (katana kake) or in a locked display case, out of reach of children. Proper storage also protects the blade from humidity and oxidation, preserving its beauty and value over time.
Our Swords & UK Legal Compliance
Every katana sold at Japanese-Swords.co.uk is hand-crafted using traditional sword-making techniques refined over centuries. Our manufacturing process includes:
✔Steel forging — high-carbon or folded steel, including Maru, Damascus and tamahagane-inspired compositions
✔Differential clay tempering (tsuchioki) — creating the authentic hamon characteristic of a genuine katana
✔Hand-polishing — traditional multi-stage polishing to reveal the blade’s grain and geometry
✔Manual hilt-mounting (tsuka-maki) — hand-wrapped handles with genuine ito and ray skin (same)
✔Hand-sharpening (where specified) — following historical methods for a functional, correctly profiled edge
🗡️ Every sword we sell qualifies under the “traditional methods” exemption of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 Amendment No.2 Order 2008. You can purchase, own and import any katana from our collection without restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to buy a katana in the UK?
No. There is no licence required to purchase or own a katana in the UK. You must be 18 or over, and the sword must qualify under one of the legal exemptions, most commonly the traditional hand-forging methods exemption. No declaration is required at the time of purchase from a UK-based seller.
What makes a katana illegal in the UK?
A curved sword with a blade over 50 cm that does not meet any of the four exemptions is illegal in the UK. In practice, this means machine-made, mass-produced budget katanas imported without documentation of traditional craftsmanship. Always ask your seller for proof of how the sword was made.
Can I display a katana at home in the UK?
Yes, absolutely. Displaying a katana in your home, on a stand, in a cabinet or mounted on a wall, is entirely legal and requires no special permission. Store it responsibly and ensure it cannot be accessed by children or unauthorised persons.
Can I use a katana for Iaido or Iaijutsu training in the UK?
Yes. The use of a katana for martial arts practice is one of the explicit exemptions in UK law. You can own and train with a katana for Iaido, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu or any other Japanese sword art. When transporting the sword to your dojo, keep it covered and carry evidence of your training activity.
Are ninja swords (ninjato) still legal in the UK?
No. Ninja swords were added to the list of prohibited weapons in England and Wales as of 1 August 2025. A government surrender and compensation scheme is in place for existing owners. This ban applies specifically to ninja swords and does not affect traditional katanas.
Is it legal to buy a sharp (functional) katana in the UK?
Yes. UK law makes no distinction between sharp (functional) and unsharpened katana blades. What matters is how the sword was made, not its edge. A traditionally hand-forged sharp katana is just as legal as an unsharpened training sword, provided it meets the exemption criteria.
Ready to buy? Browse our katana collection or read our complete buying guide.