On 7 May, Royal Mail and Parcelforce implemented new restrictions on the types of knives they carry across their delivery networks. This update follows a previous announcement in February by Royal Mail intending to ban all knives and bladed items, which sparked concern and debate among various stakeholders.
However, after reconsidering the broad implications of a total ban, Royal Mail decided to apply more specific restrictions on certain types of knives. Parcelforce announced shortly afterward that it would align its policies with those of Royal Mail, leading to a unified approach that takes effect from May.
Under the new policy, Royal Mail and Parcelforce will accept items such as cutlery knives, bread knives, utility knives, snap-off cutters, and other tools commonly used in hobbies, trades, gardening, camping, and farming. Butcher knives, meat cleavers, and felling axes will also continue to be shipped.
Prohibited items under the new guidelines: “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”.
This revised policy comes amid concerns from retailers about the potential for vague definitions leading to arbitrary enforcement by postal staff. This could result in stopped deliveries, penalties, and dissatisfied customers. Concerns specifically include the classification of certain items as “hunting” knives, which could lead to confusion and mislabelling during the shipping process.
The Scottish concern, BushWear, has been using DPD as its primary age verified delivery company for some time so will be unaffected by the decision. This may be the way to go for many retailers. However, company managing director, Alisdair Troup, feels as though our industry is being unfairly singled out. He told Gun Trade Insider, “The further restriction and vilification of law-abiding and hard-working small businesses throughout the UK by a minority of people who almost exclusively live in cities and have no knowledge or understanding of our sector is a source of intense frustration. This issue is of special interest in Scotland where the provision of reliable deliveries to remote and rural addresses is very poor with the courier network in these isolated communities, which often rely on mail order via Royal Mail for their supplies of specialist equipment for their professions and recreation. I cannot help but feel that if we were any other “special interest” group being persecuted in this way by companies forming their own policies to block/ban/prohibit us from trading, it would be illegal.
