Shipping a knife to Russia

J

Jesse B.

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Has anyone ever shipped a knife to Russia? I'm selling the Benchmade 630 Skirmish to a gentleman in Moscow via United States Postal Service. The rule according to the USPS is no: "...swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances, and similar arms."
I've contacted USPS several times. The first time, the representative said the knife was prohibited which I told him I thought was odd since a folding knife like this in no way resembles a sword, cutlass, bayonet, or lance. The second time, the lady agreed with me. The third time at the post office picking up supplies, when I mentioned "folding knife" the lady gave me a distinct look of alarm and suspicion.
According to my contact in Moscow, the rule in Russia is that knives are not restricted for import unless considered an "edged weapon." However, owners of firearms may receive/possess edged weapons so either way it should theoretically be fine.

I'm just anxious. Maybe I should bring pictures of swords, cutlasses, bayonets, and lances -- as well as the knife, so they understand the difference at the Post Office.

Not expecting (m)any responses here, but does anyone have experience shipping to Russia? Or thoughts?
 
I shipped many times to Russia - not from US but the package is delivered by Russian Post in both cases. Never had any problems. I declare "camp tool" :).
 
I don't recall what I put down on the customs form (probably my usual "cutting tool" or "hand tool" description.)
However, earlier in the year I sent a Ti Spyderco Military to Russia via USPS intl Priority w/o any issues.

Hope that helps,
Scooby
 
Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully my propensity for honesty/transparency (I described the item as "manual folding knife") won't be a problem. I'll probably leave the post office in handcuffs.
 
Yeah, that description may be a little too aggressive. Honesty is one thing, but the way you interpret a knife and the way others interpret a knife may be two different things. So, lead them in the right direction to draw the right conclusions. I like the toned down cutlery description or pocketknife.
Transparency isn't necessarily what it's made out to be. It assumes that the people receiving the information will deal with it in a fair and equitable way. That they have no biases, prejudices, preconceptions or agendas. That everyone else is honest and transparent too and adequately knowledgeable on the topic. Is this what you believe?
 
Have shipped quite a few overseas (including Russia).
I use the term cutlery or pocket knife and have yet to have a problem. (UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Denmark, mainland China, Sweeden, Canada and even Kalifornia :D)
 
Jessie,

You can take care of all of it at usps.com a little cheaper. You will need one of those adhesive plastic bags to put the forms in. (The forms will print from the site filled out from the questions you answer. Takes about 4 to 5 minutes per package. Saves a lot of time. You still at least in my area have to go to the P.O. which means at least a 40 minute wait in line, but in some areas you can just hand it off to your carrier. A page of instructions will print out with the form and label.

Gus
 
I would think most countries prohibit the import of anything termed 'weapon'...

I once had problems with a US supplier sending me stuff here to Finland as some official in his local post-office was being pedantic, saying a knife would be deemed as a 'weapon' anywhere outside the US and thus be confiscated. We overcame this local problem....Pocket-knife or camping tool/item is truthful, accurate and doesn't ring any alarm bells.

I've bought stuff from Russia without any hitches but sending it there could be more problematic depending on the kind of area the recipient lives in..local thieving etc, but, this can apply in any country. If your are using USPS I would reckon you are on a safe bet.
 
My postmaster here in Joshua Tx wont let me ship anything marked as knife.She showed me her "rule book" or whatever it is trying to convince me she wasnt just being a bit#@.As long as i mark it "camp tool" there is no problem.Ive never mailed to Russia,but just about every other place.
 
Thanks again for the help guys. I just mailed it (w/online forms.) Fortunately the person I dealt with is very professional (this post office is right next to the county courthouse) and not the lady who gave me the look of "A KNIFE??" yesterday. Naturally the gentleman directed me to look at the section on prohibited items to Russia "swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances, and similar arms" which I've read 600 times now, but a pocket knife--even a pretty big one like the Skirmish--just doesn't fit into the spirit of dated military weaponry comprised in that list. Step 1 of 4 = complete.
 
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