Bringing a knife back from Italy

[Racewin]

I really like Lionsteel knives and may be able to bring one back with me from a trip. I would buy it in Rome, then fly from Rome to London. The airline would transfer the bag in London, and we would continue on to New York City. We would spend a night and a day in NYC, then go on to Phoenix. I know its random, but anyone ever done this?

 

[tunnug]

would it be possible to mail it to yourself, or maybe call the airline and ask about knives in checked luggage, I can just imagine the panic if it was found in everything is illegal land (NY), I've never done it but throwing out ideas.

 

[Racewin]

I can ask if they will ship it, but im guessing that will be $$$. I'd rather keep it with my checked bags.

 

[Crippledtrigger]

The problem is you have to clear customs and might have to declare it. The golden rule of layovers in unfree states while carrying prohibited items is to never claim or handle your baggage. Having to clear customs in NY makes that difficult.

Also, who knows the process in London.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Given that knives are now bad ju-ju in London I would HIGHLY suggest you ship it to your home.

 

[Racewin]

I hear ya'll. The London part is the hard one.

 

[harleypower69]

If airline is transferring bag to stateside leg, zero worries there.

I travel with a blade when I go to Europe. I bring an automatic Emerson. My Brit buddy told me if found it is, "straight to jail". I don't borrow trouble and never a concern coming home. Now, I don't know what style of blade you are buying but I stash mine in my shaving kit and not a word from Customs ever. If it is stashable just pack it. If having the box and packaging is crucial then ship the EMPTY box home as Customs will check all packages mailed stateside and they will confiscate the knife if it is automatic in function.

 

[338lapua]

Order it from a Utah dealer. Nothing pisses me off more than some POS customs eff declaring something I bought abroad illegal and I know the prick is keeping it for himself.

https://www.bladehq.com/

 

[XJThrottle]

Are you sure you'll have to go through customs in London? Will you be leaving the airport in London?

Every time I've come back from abroad, I recall that the customs check was in the U.S. Out bound was always in the first stop outside the U.S.

I always travel with a knife(Benchmade 950BK), and keep it in my toiletry bag.

 

[Steve_In_29]

If airline is transferring bag to stateside leg, zero worries there.

I travel with a blade when I go to Europe. I bring an automatic Emerson. My Brit buddy told me if found it is, "straight to jail". I don't borrow trouble and never a concern coming home. Now, I don't know what style of blade you are buying but I stash mine in my shaving kit and not a word from Customs ever. If it is stashable just pack it. If having the box and packaging is crucial then ship the EMPTY box home as Customs will check all packages mailed stateside and they will confiscate the knife if it is automatic in function.

The problem comes in if the flight is delayed in London and they have to off load baggage to put people up in a hotel. Then when you go to check in for the flight...BUSTED.

The above scenario happens to people traveling with legal guns in checked baggage when their flights are diverted to New York City. With the $$$ result of dealing with the arrest and confiscation.

NOT worth the chance when for not very much money the knife can be shipped.

 

[338lapua]

If airline is transferring bag to stateside leg, zero worries there.

I travel with a blade when I go to Europe. I bring an automatic Emerson. My Brit buddy told me if found it is, "straight to jail". I don't borrow trouble and never a concern coming home. Now, I don't know what style of blade you are buying but I stash mine in my shaving kit and not a word from Customs ever. If it is stashable just pack it. If having the box and packaging is crucial then ship the EMPTY box home as Customs will check all packages mailed stateside and they will confiscate the knife if it is automatic in function.

The problem comes in if the flight is delayed in London and they have to off load baggage to put people up in a hotel. Then when you go to check in for the flight...BUSTED.

The above scenario happens to people traveling with legal guns in checked baggage when their flights are diverted to New York City. With the $$$ result of dealing with the arrest and confiscation.

NOT worth the chance when for not very much money the knife can be shipped.

Or you end up in New Jersey and really take it in the crapper.

 

[Racewin]

The airline will make the bag transfer in London, but I didnt think about the potential of having an issue with the flight. Nonetheless, I didnt end up buying it.

 

[harleypower69]

^ Sorry you did not get that knife. Hopefully you find another one soon that is stateside.

As to the other comments - I carry a days worth of clothing in my carryon. Though I've not had a flight canceled while in Europe, I simply would not collect my checked bag and just show up for the next flight. My airline will retain custody of my bag. They will phone me to ascertain my needs and plans for travel.
It is not rocket science and I refuse to be paranoid over a, "what if". That shit paralyzes a person. Have a plan and follow it.

 

[Steve_In_29]

^ Sorry you did not get that knife. Hopefully you find another one soon that is stateside.

As to the other comments - I carry a days worth of clothing in my carryon. Though I've not had a flight canceled while in Europe, I simply would not collect my checked bag and just show up for the next flight. My airline will retain custody of my bag. They will phone me to ascertain my needs and plans for travel.
It is not rocket science and I refuse to be paranoid over a, "what if". That s*** paralyzes a person. Have a plan and follow it.

Cancelled flights requiring a hotel layover almost always involve returning baggage to passengers. Since not all of them would necessarily be leaving on the same flight due to some making other arraignments or seating availability.

Paranoid has nothing to do with being prepared. Which is just part of the "having a plan" you speak of. Planning ahead and shipping the knife would have been prudent planning when a traveler knows they are going to stop at a location where knives are banned. Getting caught with an illegal item at a planned (or worse unplanned) layover WILL ruin your day. It HAS happened to travelers in NYC that I am aware of and the laws make no allowance for it.

 

[harleypower69]

Steve, I import a fair amount of kit from England for my race bike. Customs opens every package. I do not know what type of knife Racewin is referring to but I assure you that automatic knives get confiscated if found during a box opening and contents would need to be declared by the shipper. Shipping may or may not have worked, not enough data to guess the outcome.

I use American for my flights. All unclaimed luggage goes to Baggage Hold Office. It will be forwarded to the address on record (home). Airline will call me, they always do and I inform them of my plans. All my Customs inspections as a traveler happen in Phoenix not in England so I am speaking from MY experience. Now at some point Customs may inspect the bag by hand but generally it is machine scanned for explosives. Having a folder in my shaving kit has never, ever been an issue. Does having Global Entry card help, can not hurt being a trusted traveler.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Having something confiscated is still MUCH better than to be caught with it in a location where it is illegal.

In the former you loose a bit of money, while in the latter you can loose your freedom.

I (and a friend of mine) have also ordered multiple items from overseas and neither one of us have even once received a package that had been opened.

 

[Lwstarks]

I don’t know about going from one country to another before the USA, but a couple years ago I brought back some muela knives from Spain and had them in the checked luggage. I didn’t have any problems coming into the country.

 

[i303]

I see you guys are worry warts and overthink shit.

Put it in your checked bags and that’s it.

That or buy it on eBay

 

[Flash]

I see you guys are worry warts and overthink s***.

Put it in your checked bags and that’s it.

That or buy it on eBay

I always have at least one knife in check baggage. As long as it's legal at your port of entry, you'll be fine. Even if it isn't, all they'll do is confiscate it.