DHL blade size restriction coming into play 1st March?

[welcomebrand]

I just had a rather upsetting call from our DHL account manager who kindly informed us that effective March 1st, any bladed item over 8" / 20.3cm will not be permitted to ship with DHL - either import or export.

Given we import and sell Japanese chef knives, this is a rather troubling development because while many knives are under this size, an equal amount are legitimately larger - typical chef knives are often 21-24cm and then things like carving knives, bread knives etc can be longer still.

I'm not immediately bothered about the export to customers part as we barely sell outside the UK but obviously the import part is hugely problematic because we can't run a business without selling the most common size of chef knives if we can't import them.

Is anyone aware of this change and god forbid if other carriers might follow suit particularly for import? Below is a copy of the email they've just sent.

Thanks!

As a customer currently using our Adult Signature Service (ADS), where a courier verifies the receiver is aged over 18 when delivering, we would like to draw your attention to a forthcoming change in policy when sending bladed articles. If your business currently sends knives or other bladed articles, please review the change below.

If you use ADS when sending other items, such as alcohol, no further action is needed.

From the 1 March 2025, DHL Express’ policy for sending knifes and other bladed articles will change and will apply to all shipments, regardless of origin or destination (domestic, export, import).

The restrictions for shipping are:

• All bladed articles must be 8 inches / 20.3cm or less to be carried by DHL Express in the UK
• All bladed article shipments (apart from folding pen knives less than 3 inches / 7.6cm) must be sent using the Adult Signature Service (ADS) to help ensure that our Couriers continue to verify the receiver’s age is over 18 years old on delivery, in line with UK legislation

This change in restriction aligns with the maximum size of specific types of blades before they are legally considered offensive ‘zombie’ style knives. Nearly all household knives or bladed products are less than 8 inches, meaning these more standard consumer items can still be carried.

We are sorry if this change impacts your business, and hope the notice period enables you to find an alternative partner where items currently being sent fall within these restrictions.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact your DHL Express Account Manager.

Kind regards,
DHL Express

 

[japancool]

Have you spoken to the other international carriers like Fedex or UPS?

 

[welcomebrand]

Have you spoken to the other international carriers like Fedex or UPS?

Not yet, DHL account manager dropped it on me as I was leaving the office so they're my next port of call tomorrow.

Spoke to hmrc and they're not aware of any legislation updates matching this description but said I should also speak to home office to see what they say too.

 

[japancool]

I find Fedex is usually cheapest out of Japan, of the premium carriers. I guess this is just a DHL policy.

 

[DontAsk]

I would speak to your account manager at DHL. Are you sure it actually applies to B2B imports? Sounds more like a B2C issue to me.

 

[welcomebrand]

I would speak to your account manager at DHL. Are you sure it actually applies to B2B imports? Sounds more like a B2C issue to me.

Yep, this is from our account manager. Seems like it's a DHL wide decision B2B/C. I'm not hugely bothered if it's just DHL as we'll just switch to someone else but if it's legislative change that does obviously make a difference.