is it ok to bring knives in checked-in baggage?

J

Juramentado

Joined
Aug 23, 2003
Messages
185
I'm thinking of having a friend bring over 2 fixed blades from the US to the Philippines. I've been getting conflicting reports on whether it's legal or not to do so.

I've heard that it's ok, as long as it's in checked-in luggage.

But someone also told me US customs confiscated his friend's tanto which was also in checked-in baggage?

So what's the real score on bringing knives in luggage? is it ok or not.

Would it help if I asked my friend to inquire with the airline first before even attempting to add the knives to his luggage?
 
Check with the airline, especially on an international flight. I recently carried three khukuris and several other blades in my checked baggage with no trouble on a domestic flight, but going overseas the rules could change.
 
I just came back from vacation, and had no problems carrying some small folders in my checked luggage. This was a domestic flight, so I am not sure if it would be any different for one leaving the US. One thing to consider though is that bags are being hand searched at random, actually my brother had his bag opened and searched.

As long as the knives you want to bring ar legal in the US and Phillipenes I don't really see it being a problam, legally. What I would worry about is the bag being hand searched while your friend isn't there. It is always possible that the knives will be "confiscated" because the inspector likes them, or feels they are illegal. I don't mean to say that the TSA inspectors are thieves, but it isn't impossible either.
 
Hi,

Wrapping the item, will them make even more curious, be sure !
I would try to seperatly check in the knives defined as weapons, I think that is the most comfortable way to prevent any troubles, but be sure the knives are legal at the countries they pass trough.

Greetings
Olli
 
I have traveled internationally several times since Spetember 11 and I have never had problems carrying any knives in checked baggage. That includes going through the UK twice, a country with very stringent knife laws. Wisely, airport people realize that knives in checked baggage are beyond the control of the passenger and they tend to leave cutlery in transit alone.
 
My cousin bought a CS Voyager, CS Tanto, and Spyderco Endura while visiting the US and had no problems bringing them back home with him. When I visited the RP a few years ago I brought my Endura and some SAKs and had no problems.
 
Domestic in the US is perfectly legal.

International is subject to the customs regulations of the countries you enter including the US. Being a citizen of a country does not exempt you from the customs regulations of that country when you return.


A few practical tips: A sharp knife loose in your luggage could do quite a bit of dammage. If it's a folding knife, you might want to put it into some sort of sheath/pouch that holds it shut. Nylon pouches sold a gun shops for carrying magazines often work well. If it's a sheath-knife, make sure it's gonna stay in the sheath. One possible method is to wrap it in Saran Wrap (tm) or similar plastic wrap. And if it's a fixed-blade for which you have no sheath, then cover the blade with a protective sleeve.

In the US and in most international travel, your suitcase is subject to being opened for inspection. There's concern about theft at this point. My suggestion is to use your digital camera to photograph the knife and also to photograph it in your suitcase. If all goes well, just delete those pictures. But, if a knife comes up missing, you'll have some evidence to stand on.

Do a bit of searching here on bf.c and you'll find that for US Domestic travel, there are procedures you can follow to get your bag inspected and then lock it for the duration of your flight.
 
I'm driving to the Riddle so my knives don't get stolen in the checked luggage [ which has to stay unlocked ].

Imagine getting there and having a Hells Belle and a few thousand in folders missing.

No thanks, easier to ship the knives air freight than chance having them taken [ stolen ].

Brownie
 
which has to stay unlocked
Click to expand...

No, they don't.

You can request that your bag be inspected in your presence and then you can apply whatever lock you like.

The exact procedure varies from airport to airport (that's airPORT, not airLINE) because the practical arrangements for all this new baggage screening varies depending on the architecture of the airport. Remember, no airports were originally designed to accomodate these new procedures. Everyone's winging it. So, the best thing to do is call the airline ticket desk at the airport you'll be departing from -- not the national 1-800 number -- and ask them about specific procedures. Keep in mind that this is all very new. The first clerk you talk to may not have all the information.
 
Boston, they stay unlocked as a normal course of business.

Didn't know about the pre-check and lock, though I would not trust them to tell me at that time I could not bring the Bowies with me and be stuck trying to get out on time with the expectant hastles.

Thanks for the heads up Gollnick, always a pleasure.




Brownie
 
Cable ties?

Too easily cut by the gorillas behind the curtain and gives them something that stands out to wonder what could be inside where someone would put those on the bag.

Brownie
 
BTW, you can purchase "excess valuation insurance" from the airline, but it's a bit of a pain since most clerks haven't a clue as to how to actually sell it.

It's also expensive as insurance goes. A few hours of insurance on a few thousand bucks worth of knives can easily cost as much as a month's worth of homeowner's insurance. Your ticket automatically includes $2500 coverage for US domestic flights. That's not per-bag, but for all of your baggage total. It sounds like a lot, $2500, but start to think about it: a dress suit can easily cost $500. A decent pair of dress shoes can be $100. Even a pair of jeans can be $50 without to much trouble. Add a few better knives, and you'll be pushing $2500 really fast. Delta airlines is typical. If you can find a clerk who knows how, Delta will sell you $5000/bag excess valuation insurance for $50 per bag. Assuming that you're only checking one bag, that's $50 for $2500 worth of insurance (the first $2500 is included with your ticket) that will, assuming they don't mis-route your bag, only be in force for a few hours.

If you travel with expensive knives even once per year, you should look into insurance from Collectibles Insurance Agency. You can get $5000 worth of insurnace from them for $22/year which covers your knives full-time and specifically includes checked airline baggage.

If your total collection is worth more than $5000, but you only travel with maybe at most $5000 at one time, don't think you can just buy $5000 worth. Insurance doesn't work that way. If your collection is worth $10,000 but you only buy $5000 worth of coverage, and then you have a $2000 loss, the insurance will only pay you $1000. Since you insured your collection for half its full value, any loss is only paid at half the value.
 
I had a few folders brought home and had no problems. I would think two blades would be the maximum to bring in. Folders do not attract too much attention, however, fixed blades do. I would suggest to have them secured (in their sheaths and tied down or place them in their original packaging/box). There should be less suspicion that it has been used or will be used during your flight.

PS There would be less problems if you bring them inside a balikbayan box.
 
Originally posted by rajan


PS There would be less problems if you bring them inside a balikbayan box.
Click to expand...

yeah, I decided to use the good old BBox. only problem is that I have to wait for my relatives to fill the box with other stuff before they send it..

any more Filipinos in this community?
 
It has struck me a few times whenever I've seen footage of customs inspectors on the TV news opening up a intercepted drug shipment or the like - they are always using really nice folders or LM Waves at a minumum, not a cheapy or a SAK to be seen. I wonder where they got those?

(aploogies to any customs people on the boards - just my paranioa at work)

Thanks for the pre flight digital photo idea Chuck.
 
I just went to Ireland for 2 weeks and I brought with me a Delica and a SAK Soldier, plus a Sharpmaker w/diamond and extra fine hones as well, and a strop. All of it got there untouched. I put the knives in the pockets of pants just so I could be sure if the customs had checked them or not. Turns out they where in the same position after arrival so I don't think they care.
-Kevin
 
I had no problems with a recent flight, but made sure my folders were production models in generous supply.

If a custom knife turned out missing, even if I got paid insurance money, there'd be hardly a way to get a replacement, especially if it's from a hot maker with a long waiting list.
 
I've just come back from SA and had no problem with my two Guntings and BM 722 in my checked luggage.

If they're folders it would be wise to use rubber bands to prevent the blade from accidentally opening.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top