Sword Shipping Ban in the UK

[Akitombo]

Dear All,

I am afraid to say that the last shipper of swords in and out of the UK, DHL has told all of it's business accounts, that from March 1 st, it will only ship blades under 8 inches long?

The full email I paste below.

This means that we are now facing the situation within the UK of only being able to buy swords from fairs.

Auction houses already will not ship, Parcelforce will return swords or destroy them.

We need to start telling those in power that these antique items we collect, are not being taken out on the streets to infilct death and destruction.

I do not know if they will listern or care.

David

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

[Alex A]

As far as im aware, they are not the last shipper

 

Try UPS

[Alex A]

This came in from the Arms and Armour society, some of you will know Matt Easton. Its a case of doing what we can, i did write to parcelforce but did not get anywhere. will try with DHL. Again, as far as aware UPS are still shipping, folks need to be exact with filling in any shipments. As the letter points out, the concern is others will follow, l have a blade that still needs finishing in Japan, seems to me they need to get a move on with finishing it.

 

What a country, depresses me that law abiding folks like us have to put up with this. email below.............................................

 

 

 

Dear colleagues in the blade trade,

 

Some of you will know me, but for those who don't, I run an antique arms & armour company, fencing clubs, and work on replicas with the Royal Armouries and others. I therefore have to deal with the import and export of swords on a day to day basis. I know that all of you do too.

 

This matter affects all blade trades, from antique auctions and dealers to the movie industry, to museums and fencing clubs.

 

Last year we saw Royal Mail/Parcelforce suddenly change their rules around the postage of blades very suddenly and this threw everything into turmoil. This affected many of us, and after a lot of lobbying and getting into various media such as the Antiques Trade Gazette, they did revise their policy slightly after a couple of months to permit blunt blades, fencing weapons, antiques and a few other categories.

 

Many of us switched to using DHL, UPS and DPD, who all shipped blades for account holders without the sudden threat of changing the rules again. Some of you have been using these other providers for years, even decades.

 

Yesterday we found out that DHL is now putting a block on shipping blades over 8 inches long. 

 

Given what is happening now with DHL, and given what happened last year with Royal Mail/Parcelforce, I would anticipate similar actions from the likes of UPS and DPD in the future, so this affects us all.

 

Various of us have been in contact with our DHL account managers and had this policy change confirmed now. Apparently the decision was made by 'the board' (the UK board), and their message below implies that anything over 8 inches is a 'zombie knife' (which is of course incorrect!):

 

Their message:

_____________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________

 

I propose that those of us who have an interest in trying to overturn, or at least modify, this decision by the DHL UK board coordinate a response. Or at the very least, send our individual responses and keep each other in the loop. 

 

I think there might also be mileage in engaging with trading bodies and organisations, for example LAPADA, which some of you might have the best contacts for. 

 

If you want to be part of this, please let me know by return email.

Parcelforce or UPS could also revise their rules at any time.

 

Regardless of whether you use DHL or not, I think that this is a sign of things coming down the pipeline and it would be better to be as prepared as possible.

 

For those of you using DHL, I have also obtained the email address for the DHL UK Managing Director, Ian Wilson - exec.customerrelations@dhl.com - who is the person in charge of customer relations and complaints. You can of course send direct letters to him there, or join our coordinated effort.

 

I have currently sent this email to a BCC list so that people's inboxes don't get spammed, but if you would like to be included in a group discussion then please say so by return email and I will look into that. Please feel free to forward this email to anybody you think it will concern. We need to start coordinating and building some media support if we are going to protect these sectors.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best wishes,

 

Matt Easton

[Brian]

These courier companies aren't banning this stuff because they fear being injured...they are doing it because of the threats from the UK govt and backlash if someone underage happens to get hold of (gosh...the horror!) of something sharp or pointy. The kids have to be protected at any cost to freedom.
The way to fight this isn't through trying to reason with the courier companies. They will rather err on the side of caution rather than be sued. The right way is to write to your politicians, and simply tell them that if they don't get logical and stop trying to legislate everything out of existence, you will be voting for another party. That's the only way you will get anywhere. The couriers don't care about your appeals. The govt cares about votes though. Poll all the political parties, see who is in favour of relaxing the rules...then actively support them.

[Alex A]

Your right about the couriers, Brian.

 

Trouble is, politicians don't seem too bothered either, didn't get a reply when i wrote to the local labour MP, 

 

One day we might have to use expensive arms shippers for overseas purchases, just a cost we will have to put up with.

 

 

[Matsunoki]

The UK has become so paranoid about “knives” that all reason has already been lost and I don’t think any political party would dare suggest any relaxation of the current situation. Indeed quite the opposite is likely……clamping down even more with the attendant “positive publicity” is likely to attract far more votes from the brainwashed masses.

Still, you can always just go look in the kitchen drawer.

The issue is rooted in the way the kids of today are brought up amid social media madness, peer pressure, exposure to hell knows what on the internet and are then left totally ill prepared for life by our education system and of course a lack of parental responsibility or awareness. 
Add in the simmering totally unresolved issue of illegal immigration (and it’s links to knife crime) and it feels like we are sitting on a social volcano. 
This reality is so utterly depressing. 
Never mind, our new chancellor is now accused of falsifying her online CV and of some very dubious expenses “problems” at her old employers. Just the profile we need to sort things out🫢

Rant over, where’s the vino. 
 

[Alex A]

Summed up nicely Colin, its a mess.

 

Amazes me that they never get to the real issue and look like they never will.

[Brian]

Sad to think that oneday, lkely in our lifetime, we'll have to write the UK off as a Nihonto and edged weapon collector location.
And having extensively gone into the other pending legislation on what I have to go through as a forum where people from the UK might just be able to get in touch with each other and buy edged weapons...I can tell you that a ban on the UK IP network is going to be the solution for many online forums. I've gone through their entire risk analysis questionnaire and requirements, and they can bite me. What a load of (to use the UK colloquialism) codswallop! 

[Stephen]

What the hell are the chefs going to do register they're knifes 

Bonkers!

[Alex A]

The reality is we here are a niche little community with an unusual hobby. Even mentioning the issue to the odd person and you kind of get a vague look, as generally, folks are not bothered whether or not there is a ban on shipping swords as it doesn't effect them. 

 

You hit the nail on the head, Stephen, its crazy.

 

Though we have a community that do marches and stuff complaining that knives are the problem and totally miss out the underlying issues. 

 

At this stage, maybe if the Government issued licences for folks like us, may actually improve our chances in the future. Not that i want that, just see it as maybe a way to allow the community to continue, without further legislation. 

 

 

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Brian, I don’t think we will be written off judging by the huge interest I’m getting at the Birmingham Fair…..and that is despite all the ridiculous shipping restrictions and media distortions. Same applies to the other bladed weapons dealers at the fair……you couldn’t fall over if you wanted to….its packed.

What I think might happen is that we revert to being a “Fair based” market, like it used to be before internet etc. 
After all, having something in your hand before you buy it is still the best and most enjoyable way to collect. 
 

[Alex A]

That would narrow the field too much for me, sadly.

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Stephen said:

What the hell are the chefs going to do register they're knifes 

Bonkers!

This....unfortunately.

 

[Matsunoki]

Just to add….i don’t believe that any UK Govt would impose an outright ban on ownership of genuine old/antiques/collectable bladed pieces …..unless they are prepared to pay massive compensation as per the handgun ban (which has achieved nothing in reality but cost the taxpayer a fortune). Where would they draw the line?…..impossible to enact imo. 
Maybe an opportunity for an entrepreneur to step in with a specialist weapons shipping proposition?

[Alex A]

They are out there already Colin, spoke to a guy in the UK last year that would ship swords.

 

Though only to the destination airport for pick-up and vice versa. Full delivery was extra cost.

 

I did put a link on here somewhere, at the time.

 

At the time, was looking for a price to send a pistol to the US, so came across his service.

 

From memory, it was around £450

[Matsunoki]

Sorry Alex, I wasn’t clear….i was talking about internal UK shipping for Auctioneers, dealers, private transactions etc

If you watch the sheer volume of antique weapons of all types ( not just knives/sworss) going through the rooms every week there is a large potential customer base for a specialist carrier. 
 

[Alex A]

Would assume tons of private couriers that will jump at the chance.

 

Seems courier overload these days with the likes of Amazon etc.

 

 

[Brian]

Colin, afraid they have already done it with vast quantities of collectibles. They have banned many genuine wartime collectible bayonets and fighting knives. You can't deal or own WW1 trench knives with knuckles anymore, many serrated wartime bayonets are gone. No compensation, just banned. It can, and is being done.

[Davis]

Lockdales Auctioneers under the heading "About Our Auctions" state "Bladed Weapons: we can post bladed items now within the UK again" I'm finding it all really confusing. Colin, I agree with you regards the state of this country.

[Matsunoki]

40 minutes ago, Brian said:

Colin, afraid they have already done it with vast quantities of collectibles.

Agreed but I think they all fell under the category of “zombie knives” or the like or were classed as “offensive weapons” along the lines of flick-knives or gravity knives….whatever the hell that means. Well I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed but I still think we are safe. We would be talking a vast sum of money for the total of everything that is in the country. Then …..what about antique guns that can knock a hole in a brick wall …..percussion revolvers etc etc. Hmm, a right can of worms.

Fingers crossed for now I guess. 
Im going to collect ring-pulls and beer mats🙂

 

[Alex A]

Lately, seen more and more antique percussion pistols deactivated, even though they are legal.

 

That's another concern, hence now will generally consider flintlocks, though who knows.

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Sadly we are now seeing a far more effective offensive weapon used…..cars. They going to be banned? 

[Shugyosha]

No, providing they're made from an alloy of thistledown, spindrift and cottonwool and they're only driven by kittens and fluffy bunnies.

 

It really is getting silly, there is practically nothing in this world that can't be used as a weapon or made into one by those so-inclined. Just ban everything now, it will save time.

[Stephen]

3 hours ago, Brian said:

This....unfortunately.

 

WTF remove the pointy bit and it's okay?

makes no sense a razor sharp knife across the femoral artery they're going to bleed out before you get them anywhere.

[Lewis B]

Anyone who thinks the idea that de-tipping a knife is an effective solution is kidding themselves. The dedicated perp will just invest in an angle grinder and put a point on it themeselves. Its just crazy some of these knee jerk reactions that will have no bearing on knife crime per se. The problems are far deeper and embedded in the communities where these crimes are being committed.

[Shugyosha]

I think the answer is that we all eat cold, pureed food. No need for knives and no chance of getting a nasty burn whilst cooking or eating it. Problem solved.

[Alex A]

5 hours ago, Lewis B said:

Anyone who thinks the idea that de-tipping a knife is an effective solution is kidding themselves. The dedicated perp will just invest in an angle grinder and put a point on it themeselves. Its just crazy some of these knee jerk reactions that will have no bearing on knife crime per se. The problems are far deeper and embedded in the communities where these crimes are being committed.

 

Think what we need to remember here is we are sadly dealing with morons.

 

Said this before, look at prisons as an example. Not allowed knives but folks still get stabbed. If they cant stop it there then they cant stop it on the streets.

 

Its absolutely crazy.

[The Forest Ninja]

Alcohol and junk food are probably responsible for more deaths than blades. When They banning that?

[Lewis B]

8 minutes ago, The Forest Ninja said:

Alcohol and junk food are probably responsible for more deaths than blades. When They banning that?

Never happen, way too much tax revenue.

[Mark C]

Sadly I believe it will get worse as we are governed by a bunch of idiots and have an ever increasing number of people who can't decide if they are Male, Female or a bloody desk lamp.

 

Banning things is not the answer, Education is and I think the UK has passed that stage.