USPS permits shipping knives with any of its service offerings as long as the item is securely packed to prevent injury to postal workers handing the packages.
No person on U.S. Postal Service® property may carry or store firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or deadly weapons, either openly or concealed, except for official purposes.
Illegal knives: All knives with automatic-opening (switchblades), push daggers, gravity knives, disguised knives (belt-buckle knife, sword cane, etc.), knives with two-parted handles (butterfly knives), knives with ready access by the wearer (neck or belt knives, boot knives, etc.) are illegal to own or possess.
Check for other common hazardous items
Other commonly missed items that require special packaging are perfumes, nail polish, hairspray, cleaning supplies, firearm accessories, knives, swords, lighters, auto accessories, and plants or seeds.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) and big carriers like UPS and FedEx have rules for knife shipping. Most knives are okay to ship, but not all. Items like switchblades and automatic knives are off-limits. These rules help keep shipments safe and legal.
USPS permits shipping knives with any of its service offerings as long as the item is securely packed to prevent injury to postal workers handing the packages. We'll cover some recommendations on packing materials and how to keep them secure in transit in the paragraphs that follow.
Vehicle Parts - Large Vehicle Parts Including Vehicle Panels, Spoilers, Doors, Bonnets, Bumpers, Carbon Fibre, Engines, Any Car Parts Containing Oil Or Liquids, Airbags, Steering Wheels Containing Airbags, Seatbelt Tensioner. Weapons - Including Replicas, Ammunition, Axe, Blades, Chainsaws, Guns, Knives Etc.
Toxic substances (poisons) and infectious substances, etiologic agents, clinical specimens, biological products, sharps, other used medical devices. Radioactive materials. Corrosives. Miscellaneous hazardous materials (e.g., lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetized materials).
Offences related to carrying knives and other offensive weapons are set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Prevention of Crime act 1953. There are two broad categories of offence: possessing a weapon and threatening with a weapon.
A dull blade is actually more dangerous to use than one that is sharp. Here's why: A dull blade needs more pressure to cut, increasing the chance that the knife will slip with great force behind it. A sharp knife "bites" the surface more readily.
In the above examples, a restricted knife would likely be concealed if carried within a pocket (which is how most of us carried pocket knives before the early 1980s when Sal Glesser, Spyderco, devised the pocket clip).
California knife laws are among the strictest in the U.S., and several cities and counties have even stricter local knife laws you are expected to follow. Many knives such as switchblades meet the statutory definition of “dangerous weapons,” which means possession, manufacturing, and sales are tightly regulated.
In California, it is legal to carry knives of any blade size openly, and most knives, except for illegal types like switchblades over 2 inches, allow for concealment. Ballistic knives, disguised knives, and undetectable knives are among the illegal types, with specific laws against concealed carry of dirks and daggers.
In California, it is legal to buy, own, transport, and carry any knife that is not restricted. The three most common types of knives — switchblades, folding knives, and fixed blade knives (also known as dirks and daggers) — have certain rules surrounding them and are explained in more detail below.
Sharp objects like knives*, kitchen utensils and gardening tools may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they are no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients.
Rail travel is very restrictive of knife carry. Amtrak, for example, bans knives completely. They are not allowed on your person, in your carry-on, or in stowed luggage.
This meant sharp instruments were used in 41% of the 594 homicides that occurred in England and Wales in 2022/23. ONS data shows that in 2023/24, West Midlands Police recorded the highest rate of 178 offences per 100,000 population.
Understand the consequences:
Carrying a knife increases your risk of being injured. It also increases the risk of people around you being injured and can cause great distress and upset to your family. Police are allowed to stop and search someone if they believe a weapon is being carried.
A switchblade (also known as switch knife, automatic knife, pushbutton knife, ejector knife, flick knife, gravity knife, flick blade, or spring knife) is a pocketknife with a sliding or pivoting blade contained in the handle which is extended automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or ...
Domestically Prohibited Items
Explosives. Gasoline. Liquid Mercury. Marijuana (medical or otherwise); hemp/CBD is allowed, but restricted.
Biological substances, Category B and exempt human or animal specimens. Dangerous goods (UPS Guide for Transporting Hazardous Materials) Firearms and weapons (including inert and replica explosive weapons) Furs.
All sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instruments such as knives, tools, ice picks, razor blades, etc., that are otherwise mailable, must be securely packaged in a strong container. An inner and outer packaging container is recommended.
“Employees are reminded that carrying or storing firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives — either openly or concealed — on USPS property is prohibited and can result in discipline up to and including removal from the Postal Service, as well as potential prosecution,” the message states.
Checked Bags: Yes
Except knives with rounded-blades, blunt edges without serration/teeth such as butter knives, or plastic cutlery. Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.