Purchasing a knife from the US

[Mike357]

Does anybody know if there would be any issue at UK Customs re the importation of a knife into the UK from the US. The item would be posted. Is it legal? The seller does ship to the UK and hasn't had problems before but his web site carries a caveat which got me thinking. Anybody have any experience of purchasing a knife from the US?

[JonC]

Plenty of people on BritishBlades have had trouble, mainly with locking folders, but also avoid anything with combat connotations, or finger guards (knuckle dusters).

Main issues with locking folders is that they "could" be classed as flick knives, depending on interpretation of the law.

[Mike357]

Knife in question is a fixed balde, straightforward but modern design, kydex sheath. Blade approx 3.5"

[Christel]

Knife in question is a fixed balde, straightforward but modern design, kydex sheath. Blade approx 3.5"

UK Legal knife length is 3"

[ovenpaa]

As long as you have good reason to hold it such as removing Boy scouts from horses hoofs it should not be a problem. As an aside apparently the Bear Grylls fixed blade knife built by Gerber (4.8" blade) was the best selling knife of its kind in the world in 2011.

[DW58]

I've ordered multi-tools and Swiss Army knives from US dealers with no problems whatsoever.

[Charlie Muggins]

Knife in question is a fixed balde, straightforward but modern design, kydex sheath. Blade approx 3.5"

UK Legal knife length is 3"

Minor correction to a common misconception, the 3" limit relates to being allowed to carry a non-locking folding-blade knife without needing to provide a 'good reason'. Crminal Justice Act 1988 S139a. There is no 'legal maximum' to knives in UK law, you just need to be able to provide a 'reasonable defence' if found carrying anything that does not meet the above criteria. Common defences are work, hobby/pastime, national costume and religious custom.

[FencepostError]

Knife in question is a fixed balde, straightforward but modern design, kydex sheath. Blade approx 3.5"

UK Legal knife length is 3"

Minor correction to a common misconception, the 3" limit relates to being allowed to carry a non-locking folding-blade knife without needing to provide a 'good reason'. Crminal Justice Act 1988 S139a. There is no 'legal maximum' to knives in UK law, you just need to be able to provide a 'reasonable defence' if found carrying anything that does not meet the above criteria. Common defences are work, hobby/pastime, national costume and religious custom.

Additionally, it's worth noting that this just applies to possessing things in public - you can buy and own most knives (at home) even without any specific "good reason".

(Though if you follow the discussions on BritishBlades, you'll see that customs are largely able to interpret the law as they like - they have little to lose even if you win an appeal.)

[Harry Brown]

Hi,

I used to have a very big commando knife collection with some very rare WW2 FS knives. I re-imported many from the USA. Customs at this end are W****ers .
i
Get the seller to state on the custom declaration " Used Cutlery" this is legally what it is if S/H and does not attract unwanted attention. Then ask him to declare value below $30 to avoid import duty and attention!
I used to ship many this way ....Some well over a $1000! never had a problem.

Good luck













Too many to post.

[DL.]

Hi,

I used to have a very big commando knife collection with some very rare WW2 FS knives. I re-imported many from the USA. Customs at this end are W****ers .
i
Get the seller to state on the custom declaration " Used Cutlery" this is legally what it is if S/H and does not attract unwanted attention. Then ask him to declare value below $30 to avoid import duty and attention!
I used to ship many this way ....Some well over a $1000! never had a problem.

Good luck



Too many to post.

My compliments on such an impressive F.S collection.

I've only ordered hunting knives once from the US, and they were declared as being "Kitchen cutteries" I notice that the company I used no longer exists, but was seriously considering sourcing a modern military knife by Ontario Knife Company, however the red tape just seemed to be too much of a deterrent.