Do I have to declare knives at United Kingdom customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare knives in United Kingdom?

Under Travellers' Allowances Order 1994, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, section 167, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship knives to United Kingdom 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 knives out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry knives in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Prohibited. In checked baggage: Allowed with conditions. The carriage limit is 6.0000 cm. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the United Kingdom limit for 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?

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Personal items. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) No Yes (check with your airline)”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on knives?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Knives into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage Prohibited Source: National regulator

Checked baggage Allowed with conditions Source: National regulator

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

National security rule

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Prohibited

Checked baggage Allowed with conditions

check with your airline

Blade length (cm): At least 6 cm

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Personal items - GOV.UK UK Government (GOV.UK)

Last verified Sep 19, 2026

Report a mistake with this rule

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Personal items GOV.UK (Department for Transport)

Questions about Knives in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare knives at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare knives in United Kingdom?: Under Travellers' Allowances Order 1994, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, section 167, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship knives to United Kingdom 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 knives out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry knives in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Prohibited. In checked baggage: Allowed with conditions. The carriage limit is 6.0000 cm. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the United Kingdom limit for 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?: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Personal items. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) No Yes (check with your airline)”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on knives?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Antique and replica weapons Banned knives and edged weapons Buddha images, artifacts/objects, antiques CITES-protected species and products Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) Consumer fireworks