Knives-International Postage

Robocop35

Hi,

I collect antique silver bladed fruit knives.  I am unable to send these internationally as classed as a Weapon by Royal Mail.

Please can anyone tell me if there are any couriers I could use at all?  I would assume that as soon as the item is scanned by Customs then the item will just be seized and destroyed regardless of how I am trying to send the item?

Many thanks James

DullGreyGuy

Robocop35 said:

I collect antique silver bladed fruit knives.  I am unable to send these internationally as classed as a Weapon by Royal Mail.

Please can anyone tell me if there are any couriers I could use at all?  I would assume that as soon as the item is scanned by Customs then the item will just be seized and destroyed regardless of how I am trying to send the item?

Looking at a well known seller of antique cutlery, including folding fruit knives, they state that they use Royal Mail for international orders. 

Royal Mail defines "Weapons" as....

Includes items made for the sole purpose of causing injury to a person, items adapted for use to cause injury to a person, and any item intended by the person sending or receiving it to cause injury to a person Also including, but not limited to, Section 5 firearms, CS gas, pepper sprays, tasers and stun guns, flick knives, gravity knives, disguised knives, butterfly knives, crossbows, and other items that are banned under laws applicable in the UK or the destination country.


A fruit knife isn't made for the sole purpose of causing injury to a person and so whilst it could be used as a weapon it doesn't meet their definition unless it fell into the category of a flick or butterfly knife

soolin

I'll try and find a link but the blade policy was changed by RM in 2024 and no bladed items can now be carried within the UK or internationally. For many months ebay postage/label page had a reminder up about it. 

soolin

Here's the existing thread but it did go off on a tangent so I won't bump it. This basically though was the new rules introduced in April 2024

RM to stop carrying bladed items from April 2024 - Page 2 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

IMPORTANT NOTICE: on and from Monday 22 April 2024 Bladed Items will be prohibited by Royal Mail

Bladed items
International - Not allowed in the mail
UK - Not allowed in the mail

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (Commencement No. 2 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2022 These Regulations bring into force specified provisions of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17) (“the Act”).

soolin

and an even longer explanation about allowing items if RM do an age verification on recipient.

Prohibited goods - items you can't send through the post

Bladed items

UK destinations - see prohibitions, restrictions, and packaging guidelines below.

Prohibited Bladed Items
Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives that promote violence (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives, throwing knives, machetes, swords, fantasy knives, knives with images or words that suggest use for violence, stiletto knives, battle axes, open razors/folding razors and any similar items are prohibited and cannot be sent . Also see Weapons

The following are not prohibited and will instead be treated as Restricted Bladed Items, provided the only intended use is one of the permitted uses listed below:

Bladed items that are: commonly used for sporting activities; commonly used for religious or ceremonial purposes (must be blunted); sgian dubhs (must be blunted and for ornamental purposes); being sent to a recognised museum; commonly used in historical re-enactment (must be blunted); commonly used in theatrical productions (must be blunted); and antiques. Note: in order to avoid your item being treated as prohibited, in the event of any checks it would be helpful to include supporting documentation to enable us to verify the relevant permitted use listed above.

Important: Items intended by the person sending or receiving it to cause injury to a person are always prohibited and will be treated/handled as such regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above. In addition, see Weapons which are also prohibited regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above.

Restricted Bladed Items
Prohibited Bladed Items cannot be sent. However, other Knives or Blades as defined by s141A Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by s41 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 can be sent, provided certain conditions are met. These 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, lock knives, 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 and razor blades.

• • These items may only be sent using the Royal Mail Tracked Age Verification service; this service is only available through Royal Mail Click & Drop
  • Items must be packaged 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.
  • The outer packaging must be clearly marked to indicate a bladed item is enclosed and that it must not be handed to someone aged under 18.

  
  Note: this excludes folding pocket knives where the cutting edge of its blade does not exceed 3 inches (7.62cm) or razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing where less than 2mm is exposed which can be sent without using Age verification service.

  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 1988 
  Offensive Weapons Act 2019 
  Statutory guidance: Offensive Weapons Act 2019 

  • International destinations - Not allowed in the mail

Spoonie_Turtle

DullGreyGuy said:

Robocop35 said:

I collect antique silver bladed fruit knives.  I am unable to send these internationally as classed as a Weapon by Royal Mail.

Please can anyone tell me if there are any couriers I could use at all?  I would assume that as soon as the item is scanned by Customs then the item will just be seized and destroyed regardless of how I am trying to send the item?

Looking at a well known seller of antique cutlery, including folding fruit knives, they state that they use Royal Mail for international orders. 

Businesses tend to have different terms in their contracts than private senders (and perhaps even individuals running a small business). 

E.g. Evri only allow liquids under 1000ml for private customers, yet QVC use them to send entire sets of toiletries - sometimes multiple items of a litre each - via Evri, and have done so even since all liquids or creams of any sort were not allowed to be sent via Hermes by private senders.

daddyelf

It will be purely down to business terms and contractual agreements in place. I know UPS will allow bladed items in some cases, but there is a caveat that whilst items list as prohibited, will be accepted on a contractual basis for shippers with regular volume and the ability to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In all cases items here have to be sent with the adult signature required service.

kinger101

The application of the rules make little sense at times.  I wasn't in to sign for some toddler cutlery once but the Amazon driver refused to allow my wife to sign instead.