Home Office briefing on new Knife Retailing Guidance

The Home Office team working on the Crime & Policing Act 2026 will present an exclusive session for BHETA members on the new Guidelines for sellers of knives which are expected to be in place around April 2027.
 
The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and include a focus on new requirements for (1) Age Verification and (2) Online reporting of Bulk Knife Sales.
 
Who is this relevant for?
All BHETA members who sell any articles with a blade are encouraged to attend to understand their updated legal requirements around Age Verification of sales to avoid sales to Under 18s.
 
We will be looking for changes in the guidance around products that are included/excluded.
 
The Home Office's existing statutory guidance says it regards the following as caught by the under-18 sales prohibition:  

• all kitchen knives, regardless of size or design
• cutlery/table knives
• bread knives
• chef's/cook's knives
• carving, paring, boning and similar kitchen knives
• steak knives
• butcher's knives and meat cleavers
• hobby and trade knives, including Stanley-type and snap-off knives
• utility knives
• cut-throat razors
• gardening or farming tools which could commonly be described as a knife
• survival knives
• machetes
• swords

 
If you are not a BHETA member and are interested in joining our association and attending the meeting then please contact us at info@bheta.co.uk.