The Post Office has confiscated 49 bladed items since November 2024, following strict regulations prohibiting their mailing.
Concerns have been raised, particularly over kitchen knives being seized under the same rules.
Chair Stu Peter told MHKs: “As of April 2024, Royal Mail in the Isle of Man Post Office prohibited the sending of bladed articles and bladed products, as defined by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.”
Since then, the Post Office has informed affected customers that their items were prohibited and disposed of.
Rob Callister (Onchan) highlighted the case of a pensioner whose kitchen knives were confiscated, asking, whether these too are excluded.
Mr Peters said: “A kitchen knife is a bladed item. The onus is on the seller to ensure compliance. Even something as innocent as a kitchen knife cannot be sent through the post.”
Solution
Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) raised concerns about the lack of an appeals process, asking if any solutions were being considered.
Mr Peters maintained, “There are clear distinctions between prohibited items in the postal stream and what customs and the constabulary classify as illegal. The regulations are published on the Isle of Man Post Office website.”
He added: “The law is the law. These are prohibited items, and that’s the end of the matter.”
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