How much Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into United States?
Prohibited
You cannot bring Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives into United States.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
If you do not declare
- Step 1: Confiscation
Official sources
- 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
- 19 CFR 12.98 - Importations permitted by statutory exceptions (switchblade knives) U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Questions about Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in United States
- How many Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into United States?
- Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives may not be brought into United States 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 States 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 States?
- Under 12.101: the goods are confiscated.
- Can I post or ship Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives to United States 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 States?
- United States 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 States 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?
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law.. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Importations of switchblade knives, except as permitted by 15 U.S.C. 1244, are importations contrary to law and are subject to forfeiture under 19 U.S.C. 1595a(c).”
- How does United States 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 States is among the strictest.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.101 - Seizure of prohibited switchblade knives · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 12.97 -- Importations contrary to law. · verified 2026-09-19