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USPS has a long list of shipping restrictions, but cutlery isn’t on there; it’s perfectly legal to ship knives with USPS. When we say “knives,” we’re actually talking about a wide variety of tools. Knives are technically defined as sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instruments such as kitchen cutlery, ice picks, and even razor blades. That said, whether you’re sending a hand-crafted Japanese sushi knife or a set of Ikea butterknives, you’re good to ship it!
Properly Packaging Knives to Meet USPS Shipping Guidelines
Here’s the kicker when it comes to sending knives: USPS allows you to ship knives with any service, as long you securely pack them in a container that protects any individuals handling the package from harm. That means the sharp ends of the knives need to be covered, and you need to use the right kind of packing material to keep them in place and prevent them from unsheathing during transit.
When it comes to properly packaging knives, the more packing material you use, the better. Think things like packing tape to fasten them tight, packing peanuts to take up space, air pillows to keep them from moving around in the box, etc.
Learn more about the different kinds of packing material.
Pro Tip: Make sure you don’t give away what’s inside your package! There should be absolutely no writing or markings on your box indicating that knives are inside. It’s always best to leave the box as plain as possible.
Save the Most Money on Shipping with Online Shipping Software
As is the case with shipping any item, saving money is key…and you’ll save the most when you use online shipping software to buy discounted postage for your knife shipments. Shipping software not only allows you to buy and print postage from the comfort of your own home, but also gives you access to the deepest level of discounts that USPS reserves only for huge shippers, known as USPS Commercial Pricing. In some cases, you’ll save up to 90% off what you’d pay to ship the same package at the Post Office when you use shipping software.
The tricky thing is, there are a ton of different online shipping software options out there. If you want to find the best one for your needs, then you may want to do a bit of homework before you get shipping. Checking out our Reviews page is a great place to start!
Looking for the right shipping software for you?
To get the deepest discounts on all USPS services, check out our guide:
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