​We’re No Longer Using Royal Mail For Our Knife Parcels

The Early Years

When Heinnie Haynes was new, back in 1996, our founder would load up his backpack with parcels, and every day, walk from his home (Heinnie-HQ) to the Post Office to buy stamps. He’d lick them, and stick them on the three or four parcels, and put them in the post. Fast forward 25-or-so years, and our volume of parcels has grown so that we now have trucks from all our carriers coming to collect parcels from our warehouse - no more licking of stamps.

Laws Have Changed…

As times have moved on, so have the rules regarding selling and posting knives and other bladed items. Here at Heinnie Haynes, we’re proud to follow both the spirit and letter of the law, so that when you buy from us, you can be assured that everything is done properly. 

The most recent change to knife rules in 2022 implemented the need to carry out age verification at the point of delivery for parcels containing sharp things. We’ve been able to adapt to these changes with the assistance of our delivery partners, and Heinnie customers are now used to their delivery drivers verifying their age when handing over their parcels.

We’ve been able to adapt to the changing requirements of the law and, as a result, if it’s legal, we can send it, if it’s not, we can’t. However, this year is different. Royal Mail have introduced a third category between legal and not legal, which they name “Prohibited Bladed Items“. Royal Mail have decided to apply their own view on what they are willing to ship or not.

Royal Mail’s New Definition

The full Royal Mail definition of Prohibited Bladed Items is: “Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives (such as Bowie knives), throwing knives, machetes, swords, fantasy knives, knives with images or words that suggest use for violence, stiletto knives, battle axes, open razors/folding razors and any similar items are prohibited and cannot be sent”.

Some of that wording matches the wording of legislation, some of it is absolutely understandable - we won’t have anything to do with the promotion of combat or violence, for instance, but the devil here is in the detail. We do sell survival knives, and the Crocodile Dundee knife was extremely popular when it was in production. We’re able to sell them, because they’re legal to sell and own in the United Kingdom.

Our Decision

As a result of Royal Mail’s new Prohibited Bladed Items changes, it is with reluctance that we have made the decision to no longer use Royal Mail for the transport of any of our bladed items.

The reason for this is simple - in order to classify a knife as suitable for sending out, we need clear rules. Broad definitions such as Royal Mail’s do not give us confidence that our items will make it to their destination. Royal Mail’s inclusion of “...and any similar items…” suggest that the application of the new rule will be at the discretion of their staff. One person’s perfectly acceptable knife-as-a-tool could too easily become Royal Mail’s Prohibited Bladed Item. We are as frustrated as you by this turn of events.

We have strong relationships in place with a wide range of carriers who will continue delivering our parcels to you - in the UK and around the world. As ever, if you have any questions or problems we’re here to take your call or email.