Importing kitchen knives now banned?

[welcomebrand]

I just had a rather worrying email and phone conversation with one of my suppliers and then our account manager at DHL and wondered if anyone is able to help shed a bit of light or point me in the direction of where I can find out more about this.

Basically, we import and sell Japanese chef knives and one of our wholesale suppliers this morning emailed to say they couldn't ship with DHL any more because since 6th April the Offensive Weapons Act has banned the import of knives into the UK.

Spoke to our account manager at DHL who confirmed they are no longer able to import knives into the UK (since 6th April).

Obviously as a business that specifically imports a certain type of kitchen knife from Japan, this is deeply worrying to discover and I fear that if DHL have already implimented this restriction, it's something the other shipping companies will have to follow and the results for us a business will be - well, catastrophic - no imports = no products to sell.

On first hearing this, it seems crazy that there's a blanket ban on importing all knives into the UK but if DHL won't bring them in it has me scared to say the least so does anyone with knowledge of import and this legislation have any guidance or advice they can point me to try and figure this situation and what to do?

Many thanks.

 

[Ozzy]

I think they are misreading the legislation, kitchen knifes for sale as a kitchen utensil are still Ok to be imported.

Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control

This guidance summarises the requirements, controls and sanctions that Border Force applies to firearms and offensive weapons when they are imported into the UK.

www.gov.uk

 

[fisicx]

DHL are wrong. The act doesn't prevent the import of kitchen knives:

Offensive Weapons, Knives, Bladed and Pointed Articles | The Crown Prosecution Service

www.cps.gov.uk

and:

New measures to restrict access to corrosives and knives

Measures in the Offensive Weapons Act come into force today which will restrict access to knives and corrosives.

www.gov.uk

I suspect it's more to do with DHL not wanting to have to deal with any documentation regarding the knives.

 

[welcomebrand]

OK, thanks folks - I've just spoken to HMRC helpdesk who were very helpful and they're not aware of any legislation updates that would prohibit the import of kitchen knives either on their general helpdesk or the technical team and both the people I spoke with there seem to be of the opinion that this may be more of a DHL thing than a customs thing.

I'll obviously continue to follow this up because it's so significant to our existence but hoping it's as you've mentioned above and nothing more.

 

[japancool]

Fedex is usually cheaper from Japan than DHL. Perhaps try them. They might be more willing to handle the paperwork.

 

[welcomebrand]

Fedex is usually cheaper from Japan than DHL. Perhaps try them. They might be more willing to handle the paperwork.

Yeah, we do import with various companies - usually it's the suppliers who book the shipping through their accounts and so I've asked a couple of them to speak to their account contacts at FedEx/UPS to see if they know of anything.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

DHL are wrong.

What he said!

 

[Thomas_Stewart]

It seems to me that this is a mistake of the DHL, since kitchen knives are not weapons, but kitchen utensils. So I think you can challenge their decision.