Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control
This guidance summarises the requirements, controls and sanctions that Border Force applies to firearms and offensive weapons when they are imported into the UK.
Introduction
Border Force works alongside other government departments and agencies to prevent the import of illegal firearms (including their component parts), ammunition and offensive weapons into the UK.
What counts as a firearm
Firearms are lethal barrelled weapons and other weapons including:
- rifles
- shotguns
- handguns
- automatic and semi-automatic firearms
- CS gas canisters, pepper sprays and other self defence sprays
- high voltage electric stun guns
- high-powered air rifles and pistols
- items that have the appearance of being a firearm and can be readily converted into a live firearm
Importing firearms and ammunition into the UK
You must meet certain legal requirements in order to lawfully import firearms and ammunition into the UK.
For ammunition and live firearms, you must hold:
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the relevant import licence or certificate from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
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Home Office permission for handguns, pistols, revolvers and automatic or semi-automatic firearms
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permission from your UK regional police authority for other firearms
For deactivated firearms you must hold the relevant import licence from DBT and the firearm must be physically accompanied by an EU deactivation certificate.
Realistic imitation firearms, which are imitation firearms that appear so realistic that you cannot easily tell that they are not real, can only be imported into the UK in certain circumstances. See further information for more details.
Importing knives, swords and other offensive weapons into the UK
Offensive weapons which are designed to kill or inflict serious injury and do not have a legitimate use are banned or restricted from being imported into the UK.
It is an offence to import certain specified weapons including knives, swords and other blades.
Banned knives and weapons
It is illegal to bring into the UK, sell, hire, lend, give or possess in private the following, unless a legal exemption applies:
- butterfly knives (also known as ‘balisongs’): these have a blade hidden inside a handle that splits in the middle to reveal the blade
- disguised knives: where a blade or sharp point is hidden inside what looks like everyday objects such as a buckle, phone, brush or lipstick
- flick knives or gravity knives (also known as ‘switchblades’ or ‘automatic knives’): folding knives where the blade automatically opens or opens by gravity when a button or something else on the knife is pressed
- stealth knives, which are knives or spikes not made from metal which are not made for use at home, for food or as a toy
- zombie knives: a knife with a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words suggesting it is used for violence
- swords, with a curved blade over 50 centimetres (with some exceptions, such as antiques and swords made to traditional or methods before 1954)
- sword-sticks: a hollow walking stick or cane containing a blade
- push daggers: a knife where the handle fits within a clenched fist and the blade protrudes from between two fingers
- blowpipes (sometimes known as ‘blow guns’): a hollow tube out of which hard pellets or darts are shot by the use of breath
- telescopic truncheons: these extend automatically by pressing button or spring in or attached to the handle
- batons: straight, side-handled or friction-lock truncheons
- hollow kubotans: a cylinder-shaped container containing a number of sharp spikes
- shurikens (also known as ‘shaken’, ‘death stars’ or ‘throwing stars’)
- kusari-gama: a sickle attached to a rope, cord, chain or wire
- kyoketsu-shoge: a hook-knife attached to a rope, cord, chain or wire
- kusari (or ‘manrikigusari’): a weight or hand grip attached to a rope, cord, chain or wire
- hand or foot-claws: a band of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude
- knuckledusters: a band of metal or other hard material worn on one or more fingers
- cyclone or spiral knives: a blade with one or more cutting edges that form a helix and come to a point
- belt buckle knife: a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife
The full description of these weapons may be found in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988.
Flick knives and gravity knives are described in the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959.
The definition of a flick knife has been updated by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.
Circumstances where restricted offensive weapons can be imported
Some organisations are allowed to import and hold restricted offensive weapons for specified purposes, this includes:
- museums, galleries and universities to present, display, research or interpret material of historic, artistic or scientific interest, such imports may also qualify for relief from duty and VAT
- HM forces
- visiting forces
- police forces and the prison service for example direct imports of batons and truncheons
- those making commercial imports solely for onward supply to the police or prison service or trade samples to be evaluated - evidence must be produced including a contract stating quantities, where applicable
Restricted offensive weapons may also be imported:
- for theatrical performances
- for rehearsals of theatrical performances
- for the production of films
- for the production of television programmes
- if they are stealth knives designed for domestic use or for use in the processing, preparation or consumption of food or are a toy
- if they were manufactured more than 100 years before the date of any offence alleged to have been committed (excepting flick knives and gravity knives)
Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon:
- was made before 1954
- was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
- is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
- is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held
If you are importing a restricted offensive weapon you should have evidence to demonstrate why you require it.
If you require further information about the legislation in relation to importation of knives, swords and other offensive weapons, you can email: [email protected]
Please note that the Home Office cannot advise on importation of specific items.
The final decision on whether the import is allowed lies with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when they have an opportunity to see the item.
You may wish to contact the HMRC helpline and provide specifics of the item you want to import. The telephone number of the helpline is 0300 200 3700 and lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Controls and sanctions
Border Force monitors and controls imports of firearms (including their component parts), ammunition and offensive weapons into the UK across all modes of transport and international mail.
If you fail to meet the relevant legal requirements, the item will be liable to forfeiture and will be seized by Border Force. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for importing the item illegally into the UK and/or possessing the item illegally in the UK. The maximum prison sentence is up to 10 years.
Further information about importing firearms
You can find your local police force on the UK police website.
Information about Home Office licensing of firearms is available at Firearms Licensing.
You can enquire about Home Office firearms licensing requirements and legislation by emailing [email protected].
Information about DBT import licensing for firearms can be found at Import Controls.
You can apply for a import license for firearms on the DBT Import Licensing Branch’s Import Case Management System.
You can enquire about DBT import licenses by emailing [email protected].
Guidance for ferry staff and operators about imports of firearms into the UK from the EU.
Updates to this page
Published 1 August 2012Last updated 5 July 2022 + show all updates
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Added to the list of restricted offensive weapons which may be imported: 'if they were manufactured more than 100 years before the date of any offence alleged to have been committed (excepting flick knives and gravity knives)'.
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There are new prohibitions relating to the possession of offensive weapons and the importation and supply of cyclone and spiral knives. The public enquiries email address has been updated. The following sections have been updated: importing knives, swords and other offensive weapons into the UK; banned knives and weapons; circumstances where restricted offensive weapons can be imported.
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Updated contact details.
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Updated guidance.
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Importing guidance updated.
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Updated guidance.
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First published.