Pens categorized as weapons held at warehouse

GIFU, Japan - Photo taken on July 4, 2012, shows pens, including Smith & Wesson ballpoint pen (upper) and a Schrade Walden fountain pen (C), at knife merchant Yamahide Cutlery Mfg. Inc. in Seki, Gifu Prefecture. More than 200 American-made fountain pens and ballpoint pens, including products made by the companies mentioned above, have been held at a Chubu airport warehouse in Nagoya since the spring of 2011 after customs categorized them as weapons, denying them importation as stationery items, according to customs officials and importer.