How much Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into Netherlands?
Prohibited
You cannot bring Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives into Netherlands.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Wet wapens en munitie Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid
Questions about Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in Netherlands
- How many Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into Netherlands?
- Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives may not be brought into Netherlands at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives at Netherlands customs?
- There is nothing to declare — Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
- What happens if I do not declare Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in Netherlands?
- If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, eerste lid, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, tweede lid, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 0 and 4 years of imprisonment; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Can I post or ship Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives to Netherlands instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out of Netherlands?
- Netherlands publishes no separate rule for taking Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Netherlands limit for Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) states it in Wet wapens en munitie. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does Netherlands compare with other countries on Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 12 prohibit Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives, 7 limit it and 1 let it through. Netherlands is among the strictest.
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — Wet wapens en munitie · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — Wet wapens en munitie · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — Belasting betalen over aankopen uit het buitenland · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — netherlands postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — Wet wapens en munitie · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) — Wet wapens en munitie · verified 2026-09-19