How much Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into United Kingdom?
Prohibited
You cannot bring Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives into United Kingdom.
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
- Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control GOV.UK — Border Force / HM Revenue & Customs
Questions about Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in United Kingdom
- How many Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into United Kingdom?
- Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives may not be brought into United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom 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 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 Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) 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 Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out of United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Kingdom 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?
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does United Kingdom 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. United Kingdom is among the strictest.
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control · verified 2026-09-19