International Shipping Advice

Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
captaincaed

captaincaed

(____((__________()~~~
KKF Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2017
Messages
3,999
Reaction score
7,695
Location
Pacific Northwest
Hey all,
Had my second international shipping issue, and had others ask me “how can we do better”. I realized I didn’t have a great answer.

#——————————————#
If there is already a thread, would someone be kind enough to link it? I realize older advice exists, but I keep hearing things are changing in the past year or two.
#——————————————#

Obviously knives can be shipped internationally, because they do get shipped internationally, but I’ve gotten inconsistent messages from shippers themselves.

DHL told me I could not ship a razor home from Spain because they don’t ship knives. I’ve received knives by DHL.

USPS rejected a package for having a knife. Knives are not on their mailing hazard list (at least my local branch), and they were not listed as an import ban in the country of receipt (Singapore). It was declared as a ‘kitchen knife’. In the past, I’ve declared ‘kitchen tool’ and ‘kitchen knife’ with equal frequency.

If any experienced traders, or vendors especially, have any advice, would love to know, share with the group.
 
I mailed knives via USPS. It should not be an issue mailing one from the US. A family member works for USPS and has helped troubleshoot close to a dozen knife packages in the last 2 years; sending knives via USPS is definitely allowed.
 
Personally I’d avoid USPS. Everyone has their own shipping horror stories, and all of mine involve USPS. DHL is great, but can be expensive. I use UPS or FEDEX.
Also, always worth just declaring it as “Kitchen tool” the word “Knife” can set off red flags even if it’s allowed.
 
I've had knives mailed to US from Europe and Japan via DHL. Boxes were clearly labeled as containing kitchen knives. Never had any issue with USPS domestically either, though I usually don't claim what is in the box.
 
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field
-7%
$13.99 $14.99
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field Crazy Potato
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe
$99.99
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe Dfito Direct
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making
$199.95
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making Knife Aid, Inc.
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black
$79.99
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black Amorston Offical
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs.
-19%
$129.99 $159.99
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs. LXSEREY STORE
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide
-21%
$26.99 $33.99
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide keepooon
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$25.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
$42.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
$8.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves
$32.84
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves Sakai Heritage
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.98 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use
$15.99
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use Crazy Potato
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
-33%
$51.10 $76.79
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series
-25%
$88.98 $118.00
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series Brodark Store
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black
-20%
$39.99 $49.99
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black Astercook
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop YeopAsda
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath
$9.99
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath IEXPO
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black
-23%
$99.99 $129.99
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black Jianyamei
Interesting that DHL doesn't ship knives; have received plenty of them through DHL.
But from what I remember most of them were marked as kitchen tool.
 
DHL is a mess for anything other than documents and clear cut things that are nowhere near any regulation, their interpretation of laws is far off....

IMO it completely depends on what you ship from where to wat country BUT....USPS to EU is at best wonky and can take literally forever... a secondary issue is that a package is handled by the local postal service once in country...customs and handovers can mean trouble...
(I have a parcel from Japan sitting at customs now for three weeks, calling customs get you nowhere and PostNL is no help either, if someone at customs decides to refuse the package or enters the wrong code it's gone and good luck putting in a claim)

Fedex works quite well into the EU, added benefit, they handle customs clearance upfront so packages whizz through as if there was no border. UPS can do the same...surely you pay more...
 
DHL does ship knives, but sometimes there will be uninformed people working at local centers who do not realize this but have power to return things. We've had that happen before and have had to argue with them to get things working. There are also country specific regulations you need to be aware of.
 
I've had similar issues with USPS etc. in the past, a lot of it boils down to the person you get. Sometimes, while annoying, going to a different branch or just talking to a different person will give you a different result.

Easiest way to get around any of this is just doing your labels at home/online and just dropping off. Zero questions from USPS/UPS/Fedex in that scenario.
 
The system is just full of idiots unfortunately. I tried to ship a knife to Brazil using USPS, and the clerk literally wouldn't take it because he said that wasn't an approved item to ship to Brazil. I literally took the list of prohibited items on the USPS website, showed them that kitchen knives or cutlery wasn't on there, only weapons, and he still refused to even scan it in because he didn't want to get himself in trouble.

95% of the time I've been doing UPS with no issues, I've still sent a couple USPS doing all the customs stuff myself on pirateship and just dropping off the package
 
Do they even crosscheck the contents for usps? I’ve put Damascus spoons one time and it worked fine lol
 
jedy617 said:
95% of the time I've been doing UPS with no issues, I've still sent a couple USPS doing all the customs stuff myself on pirateship and just dropping off the package
Click to expand...

I think this is part of the key - do all the paperwork at home and then just have them scan the package in.
 
IMG_5280.jpeg
 
“wood, horn, and a sandwich of iron and steel”

jedy617 said:
The system is just full of idiots unfortunately. I tried to ship a knife to Brazil using USPS, and the clerk literally wouldn't take it because he said that wasn't an approved item to ship to Brazil. I literally took the list of prohibited items on the USPS website, showed them that kitchen knives or cutlery wasn't on there, only weapons, and he still refused to even scan it in because he didn't want to get himself in trouble.
Click to expand...

Interesting, post-Covid I haven’t been able to ship knives from Brazil to the US using our national postal service (Correios, the equivalent to USPS). Clerk said something about USPS flagging it as a “cold weapon” (USPS handles the delivery once the package enters the US). The clerk is probably misinformed but it might have some connection to your case.

So far I’ve used DHL, Fedex and UPS to send knives from Brazil to the US and Australia [almost] without issues. Always declared as “kitchen knife”. Although I’ll probably change that after UPS opened a package to Aus containing a Tsourkan and it arrived to the buyer with a 2 inch spot rusted and pitted (knife was oiled before packing).
 
Also, if you want to send a knife to UK and actually have it delivered, just avoid DHL like the plague.

Their interpretation of prohibited items is completely misaligned with UK law, which is super helpful. Plus, they will let you ship it in the first place so they can still take the shipping cost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top