Royal Mail Bladed Items; Sharp Objects and Weapons update

From the 7th of May, new Royal Mail restrictions come into effect for sharp objects and weapons.

Prohibited Bladed Items

Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives (such as Bowie 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

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 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.

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.

Sharp or pointed items

Sharp or pointed items such as scissors, mini chopper blades, food processor blades, sewing kits, knitting needles, syringes, chisels, piercing awls, saws, nails, pins, fishing hooks can be sent through the post. The requirements are:

• 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.

You can read the full restrictions and prohibited items (and allowed items) on the Royal Mail website.