SANTOKU
SANTOKU
Updated July 2026 · 6 min read · UK Japanese knife specialists
In short
You can pack kitchen knives in your checked (hold) luggage, but not in your hand luggage — any blade over 6 cm is banned from the cabin. Wrap each knife securely (a blade guard or saya is ideal), keep it in the centre of your case, and always check your airline's and destination's rules before you fly.
Maybe you're heading off on a long holiday and want to take your best kitchen knives so you can cook rather than eat out every night. Or perhaps you're a chef travelling for work and need your own kit with you. Either way, walking onto a plane with a blade in your bag needs a little planning — so how do you actually get your kitchen knives from A to B?
The short version: kitchen knives are allowed in checked (hold) luggage as long as they're securely wrapped, but they are not allowed in the cabin. Security can still inspect your bag and ask you to leave items behind, and airlines are within their rights to set their own rules — so check before you pack.
Jump to
What does the UK government say about carrying kitchen knives on a plane?
The UK Government website sets out clearly what you can carry and how. Its hand-luggage guidance confirms that kitchen knives are not permitted in hand luggage and can only be taken aboard in checked baggage.
In fact, no sharp objects of any kind are allowed in the cabin — even the butter knife with your in-flight meal is plastic. The rules apply to blades longer than 6 cm, and smaller blades such as pocket or Swiss Army knives are also unlikely to be allowed through cabin security. It's still worth checking directly with your airline, as some impose extra restrictions on top of the government list, and the country you're travelling to may have its own rules too.
Is it worth travelling with expensive kitchen knives?
If you own high-quality Japanese knives, you'll know they're an investment you plan to keep for years. So it's worth weighing up the risks before you pack them — chiefly confiscation and theft.
Confiscated items
Kitchen knives themselves aren't illegal, but people get caught out at security because they didn't realise they can't carry them in hand luggage. By the time you reach the gate it's usually too late to return to check-in, so security will take the knife away.
The good news: if an item isn't illegal, you have the right to reclaim it. Services such as Post and Fly let you either collect your items on return or have them posted to you within the UK or Europe.
Stolen items
Baggage theft from the hold does happen. In the USA in a single year, more than a million bags were reported lost or stolen. Security checks and CCTV are a deterrent, not a guarantee — so if you travel often, a more affordable set you'd be less upset to lose is worth considering.
Travelling often? A more affordable set is easier to replace if it goes missing — and just as sharp.
Shop knife sets →However you pack them, protect the blades. A wooden saya or a knife guard keeps the edge safe and stops the blade from cutting through your case or injuring a baggage handler.
Final thoughts
Across most of the world the rules are similar: you can fly with chef knives as long as they travel in the hold, securely wrapped to protect baggage handlers and anyone who handles your case — but not in the cabin.
There are exceptions, and individual airlines set their own policies, so always declare your knives and check the limitations before you get to the airport. A little preparation means your knives arrive with you, ready to cook. For storage ideas at your destination, see our guide to Japanese knife storage.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take kitchen knives in checked luggage?
Yes. Kitchen knives can travel in your checked (hold) luggage as long as they're securely wrapped. They are not allowed in hand luggage.
Can you take kitchen knives in hand luggage?
No. Any blade over 6 cm is banned from the cabin, and even round-bladed butter knives are refused. All sharp objects must go in the hold.
Do you have to declare knives in checked luggage?
It's strongly recommended. Wrap them securely and declare them if asked — some airlines require it, so always check your airline's policy before you fly.
Can you take a knife on a plane in the UK?
Only in the hold. UK Government rules ban knives from the cabin; you must also follow your airline's rules and the regulations of the country you're travelling to.
How should you pack knives for flying?
Use a blade guard or saya, wrap the knives in cloth, and place them in the centre of your case surrounded by clothes. If you travel often, a cheaper travel set is worth considering.
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