I need help with overseas knife shipments.

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What is the best, safest, fastest way to ship knives overseas. I have friends in Europe that want to trade some knives but I have never shipped anything overseas. Thanks for your advice.
 
However you ship it, make sure that you accurately describe the knife as a "bushcrafting tool" rather than a "knife", this will greatly help with customs
 
How about calling it an apple peeler? Are customs a sticky issue when sending knives to Europe?

Hard to say with any certainty, Europe consists of various countries and each has their own policies. I'd mail it with full insurance, Priority Mail Express International.
 
How about calling it an apple peeler? Are customs a sticky issue when sending knives to Europe?

Apple peeler would be appropriate! Not sure about Europe, but with Canadian customs there is no issue as long as the knife is legal (no switchblades / balisongs), however when they decide to take a look it can take weeks for them to process it, which can be stressful. As RevDevil said, insurance is a must, and a good declaration can help avoid customs delays.
 
Also, if the knife has an adjustable pivot, tighten it. I had Hinderers get kicked back for being too easy to open. I cranked the pivot down to where they didn't flip open worth a damn and the got through.
 
Know their laws. If the knife violates their restrictions, they may simply trash it.

Describing it with a cute name isn't going to help and can make them think you are trying to slip something past them. Camping tool or gardening tool at least are honest.

We can help more if we know which country they are going to.
 
I have shipped knives all over the world. The OP describes three different qualifiers. "Best" "Safest" and "Fastest". Shipping by USPS these are three very different things. The Best, Safest AND Fastest without a doubt is FedEx International Priority. Also the most expensive. USPS International is fairly safe and relatively in-expensive, $23.95 anywhere in the world for International Priority Small Flat Rate Box.
One must take care to know the Import restrictions of the country you're shipping to. Also, The US Fish and Wildknife Departmwnt of the Interior has a long list of materials banned from EXPORT from THIS country. Including,but not limited to, Stag, Rosewood, Abalone, Mother of Pearl, and many more.
Just do your homework! I call them "Camping Tool" on the Custom Forms.
 
I've shipped overseas quite a bit and this is the best advise I've found.....simple as that!!

Hard to say with any certainty, Europe consists of various countries and each has their own policies. I'd mail it with full insurance, Priority Mail Express International.
 
Thanks. How do you know what the regulations are for the various countries, what is not allowed? Is there anyway to get signature confirmation of delivery?
 
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