Importing Japanese knives into the UK

Importing knives into the UK from Japan

Knife Japan has a policy of free shipping for all purchases and all destinations. If you’re resident in the UK it’s important to know that when ordering a knife from overseas you’ll pay an additional sum in order to receive your knife. Free shipping doesn't mean 'no more to pay'.

As a UK resident, your overseas online purchases are subject to VAT of 20%.

The shipping company will prepay your VAT in order to speed your parcel through customs and apply a fee for this service. The DHL Express fee is £11.00. UPS charges £13.60. This fee also attracts VAT.

What will I be required to pay once my order reaches the UK? 

Our preferred delivery company is DHL Express so you will be asked to pay £13.20 plus 20% of your purchase. A bit more for a delivery from UPS.

How will I pay?

DHL Express will send you an invoice and payment link to you by SMS or email prior to delivery, for you to pay online.

What else do I need to know?

Postal deliveries

Under the UK Weapons Act delivery of a bladed item to a UK address requires an adult signature. A delivery person who delivers a bladed item without proof of age (Adult Signature Delivery) is liable for prosecution. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide don't offer Adult Signature Delivery for parcels from overseas and that means postal deliveries from Knife Japan are off the table.

Import Duty

Import duty is not applicable to knives made in Japan, thanks to the UK-Japan CEPA trade agreement. 

Knives over 8 inches

DHL UK now refuses to deliver knives with a blade length over 8 inches / 20.3cm. Company policy.

If you wish to order a longer knife from Knife Japan please understand that we would have to use another company and shipping a single knife over eight inches in length has the potential to tip us into the red. We know you wouldn't want that. We'll assess your order and decide if our free shipping policy can apply (it usually will). Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions about our products or how we can deliver them to you in the UK, please drop us a line using the form below.

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