Sending a tactical knife from UK to USA, is this illegal?

RFW

eddddy said:

RFW said:

Hoenir said:

Not your problem. Hand the knife in. Be foolish to land yourself in trouble. 

I agree. Take it to a police station, if you can find one, and explain.

Or call 101 and explain.

If it was me I'd be looking to get rid of it asap. Presumably 101 would tell you where your nearest police station or somewhere to hand it in would be. I certainly wouldn't be sending it in the post, especially out of the country.

molerat

List of police stations for handing in knives, really for zombie knives but I doubt they will care what they get - you jut won't get the compo £.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66c8a1f099faef7c8c117834/Zombie-Style_Knives_-_List_of_Designated_Police_Stations.pdf

There are plenty of other locations, Google "surrender knife" and your area.  Lancashire for instance have bins in libraries and youth centres.

EffieTrinketsWig

The OP could just take a big hammer etc to it and drop it in their recycling bin once it is damaged beyond use.

soolin

EffieTrinketsWig said:

The OP could just take a big hammer etc to it and drop it in their recycling bin once it is damaged beyond use.

Personally I think it might be better to hand it in, even ask for a receipt or some sort of proof it was done - that's assuming it is illegal in the UK, so that is seller gets funny about it they know you haven't just kept it. If it is legal to own, put the ball back in the sellers court, let them run about trying to find a cheap and legal way to get it back to the states, and store it in a box buried in a cupboard somewhere in case a solution is ever found. 

Robertson74

Thanks for all your replies- I don't really think I want to take the risk of getting into trouble through this.
Soolin, I am really glad to have read your replies- I never thought of those things like customs and HRMC and I really can't stand the thought of something really bad happening through this. I was going to just risk sending it back, before my post and I glad I didn't now.
I hate the thought of being in the mans position and him losing his knife and his money and I just wanted him to get it back, but I can see now that those things would go wrong for me and he would still lose his knife with the couriers and customs anyway
I don't like the thought of the seller trying to find a courier- all the ones I have checked out say they don't send bladed items. 
I have been really bothered by all this, not knowing what I should do, but I could end up doing something illegal.

RFW

Robertson74 said:

I have been really bothered by all this, not knowing what I should do, but I could end up doing something illegal.

To prevent doing anything illegal, speak to the law!

prowla

You can go to this reputable UK site and see what they have for sale.

https://heinnie.com/ 

If they have one similar to yours then you are OK to own one and can stop worrying about that.

You're not allowed to carry them out and about though (of course).

As for posting sharp objects, a lot of the issues are for the safety of their staff rather than the law, for example a poorly packaged knife could injure the courier/postie who is handling it; that's just common sense. Further some of the items need age verificationa and they even include bread knives and scissors in the RM ban.

Parcelforce (https://www.parcelforce.com/help-and-advice/account-customers/account-prohibitions-and-restrictions ) say the following:

International destinations only

Knives” or “Blades” defined by s141A Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by s41 of Offensive Weapons Act 2019 may be sent. Such items include, but are not limited to, any knife or knife blade, including cutlery knives, bread knives, knives that can be used for hobbies and trades (for instance, utility knives and snap-off cutters, gardening, camping, bushcraft and farming tools with a blade or any other trade tool that could commonly be described as a knife), butcher knives (including meat cleavers), felling axes, razor blades.

• Package appropriately so items present no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients.
• Wrap heavy cardboard around sharp edges and points, strong enough to ensure that the contents do not pierce the outer packaging
• Wrap each item with cushioning material and place in a suitable outer container such as a padded envelope.
• The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging
• Marked to clearly indicate a bladed item is enclosed.

Please Note: It is the senders’ responsibility to ensure compliance with the law.

The following links to the legislation and guidance may assist but Royal Mail prohibitions and restrictions regarding the sending of bladed items must also be followed:
Criminal Justice Act 1988Opens in new window
Offensive Weapons Act 2019Opens in new window
Statutory guidance: Offensive Weapons Act 2019

So, no need to panic! :-)

Dookdik17095

If its a Gerber tactical its completely legal in UK I have one  with a 6'' blade  use it when camping  ,, keep it  ,it may be useful one day .

MattMattMattUK

Knives are generally not illegal, only very specific types and almost everything Gerber make is legal in the UK. I really cannot understand why everyone is freaking out and panicking about needing to dispose of this as if it will result in the OP being hunted down by the police and jailed for life, when the reality is it is almost certainly a perfectly legal product to own.

soolin

[Deleted User] said:

Robertson74 said:

Thanks for all your replies- I don't really think I want to take the risk of getting into trouble through this.
Soolin, I am really glad to have read your replies- I never thought of those things like customs and HRMC and I really can't stand the thought of something really bad happening through this. I was going to just risk sending it back, before my post and I glad I didn't now.
I hate the thought of being in the mans position and him losing his knife and his money and I just wanted him to get it back, but I can see now that those things would go wrong for me and he would still lose his knife with the couriers and customs anyway
I don't like the thought of the seller trying to find a courier- all the ones I have checked out say they don't send bladed items. 
I have been really bothered by all this, not knowing what I should do, but I could end up doing something illegal.

The last place I would ever do with the knife  is to go to a police station or call 101. You could end up in more bother.

 Package the knife very well and take to a surrender bin ASAP.

Dont used public transport. Stick in boot of car out of sight.

Good luck.

What bother? I don’t think anyone was suggesting they go into a police station brandishing a knife in a threatening manner, I’m sure we all meant  that if it needed to be handed in, that it be wrapped in newspaper or something and handed in with an explanation. As for calling 101 and asking for advice, what bother could they get into?

it’s all a bit academic now anyway as this is a resurrected thread and OP has probably already dealt with the matter.