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Legal
IMPORTANT. This Prohibited Items Policy is binding on all Users of the BladeHubs Platform — Smiths and Customers alike — and is incorporated by reference into the BladeHubs Terms of Service and, for Smiths, the Smith Platform Agreement. Compliance with this Policy is required on a per-transaction basis, not only at account creation. BladeHubs LLC does not manufacture, sell, inspect, possess, or ship any item. All compliance obligations — federal, state, local, shipping carrier, export control, and sanctions — rest solely with the User listing, quoting, purchasing, shipping, or receiving the item.
This Policy defines what may and may not be listed, commissioned, sold, shipped, or purchased through the BladeHubs Platform. Its purpose is to ensure that BladeHubs operates as a lawful, good-faith marketplace for the custom edged-goods trade; to provide clear written prohibitions that insulate the Platform from complicity in user misconduct; and to place the burden of legal compliance squarely on the User who is actually transacting. This Policy is not legal advice. Every User is solely responsible for determining the lawfulness of any specific transaction in every jurisdiction involved and under every carrier involved.
Zero Tolerance
The following items are prohibited on BladeHubs under all circumstances, in all jurisdictions, regardless of the stated purpose of the transaction. Listing, quoting, commissioning, purchasing, shipping, or attempting any of the foregoing will result in immediate removal of the listing, immediate and permanent account suspension, forfeiture of any listing or commission fees, and referral to federal law enforcement where appropriate.
Completeness. The foregoing list is intended to be comprehensive as to federally prohibited categories most relevant to the custom edged-goods trade. It is not, however, a substitute for independent legal review. Federal law changes. Agency interpretations change. Users bear sole responsibility for ensuring that any item they list, quote, purchase, or ship is lawful under all currently applicable federal law.
Separate from federal criminal law, every shipping carrier imposes its own published restrictions on edged goods. A violation of a carrier's restrictions is a violation of the carrier's tariff and, in the case of USPS, can constitute a federal criminal offense. Smiths are the sole shippers of record for every parcel tendered through the Platform. Smiths are solely responsible for determining, on a per-parcel basis, that the item is permitted by the specific carrier and specific service class selected, and for all consequences of any violation.
Switchblades are non-mailable under 18 U.S.C. § 1716(g) except under narrow enumerated exceptions not generally available to commercial sellers. Ballistic knives are non-mailable. Other edged items are generally mailable subject to packaging and handling requirements in USPS Publication 52 (Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail) as currently in effect. A USPS mailability violation is a federal crime. Smiths must review USPS Pub 52, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1715–1716, and current USPS Domestic Mail Manual provisions before tendering any parcel to USPS.
UPS maintains its own Prohibited and Restricted Items list and tariff rules that govern the shipment of knives, swords, and other edged goods. Rules differ between UPS Ground, Air, and international services. Smiths must consult the current UPS Terms and Conditions of Service and UPS Tariff/Service Guide in effect on the date of shipment.
FedEx publishes its own Prohibited Items and Restricted Items policies in the FedEx Service Guide, which differ between FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx international services. Some FedEx services prohibit certain edged goods outright; others require specific packaging, labeling, or declared value. Smiths must consult the current FedEx Service Guide in effect on the date of shipment.
DHL Express and DHL eCommerce maintain separate prohibited-items and restricted-items lists that apply to edged goods, with additional country-of-destination restrictions for international shipments. Smiths must consult current DHL policy before selecting DHL as a carrier.
Smiths who use any carrier not listed above — including freight carriers, regional carriers, or specialty services — are solely responsible for compliance with that carrier's rules and tariffs.
BladeHubs does not select carriers, does not tender parcels, does not package items, does not prepare shipping labels or customs documentation, and does not verify carrier compliance. Any fine, penalty, seizure, forfeiture, parcel destruction, delivery failure, or criminal referral arising from a carrier violation is the sole responsibility of the Smith who shipped the parcel, subject to the indemnification provisions of the Terms of Service §4.6.
The following categories of edged goods may be listed, quoted, and sold on BladeHubs only if each of the following is true for the specific transaction: (a) the item is lawful to design, manufacture, and sell in the Smith's state and locality of origin; (b) the item is lawful for the Customer to order, receive, possess, and transport in the Customer's state and locality; (c) the item is lawful in every jurisdiction through which it will transit; (d) the item is permitted by the selected shipping carrier and service class; (e) the item does not fall within any category in Section 2 of this Policy; and (f) the transaction does not violate Section 5 (export controls and sanctions). The Smith bears sole responsibility for verifying (a)–(f) before accepting a commission or listing. The Customer bears sole responsibility for verifying (b) before placing an order.
Conditionally permitted does not mean legal in every jurisdiction. Many of the above categories are subject to state or local restrictions — blade length, carry method, concealment, age of purchaser, specific-locality bans, and more. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement or representation of legality for any specific transaction.
The BladeHubs Platform is presently intended for domestic transactions within the fifty United States and the District of Columbia. International transactions, if and when enabled, are subject to additional terms and additional user obligations. Users may not use the Platform to transact with any person, entity, government, or jurisdiction subject to U.S. export controls or economic sanctions except in full compliance with all applicable U.S. law.
Certain edged goods may be classified as "defense articles" under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. §§ 120–130, "ITAR") and the United States Munitions List (22 C.F.R. § 121.1), particularly items enumerated in USML Category I (Firearms and Related Articles). Items that have historically been treated as USML-controlled include certain bayonets, combat fighting knives specifically designed for military use, and accessories and components specifically designed for such items. Export control classifications have changed in recent years under the Export Control Reform Initiative, and classification of any specific item is fact-specific. Smiths are solely responsible for determining whether any item they list, quote, or sell falls under ITAR jurisdiction and, if so, for obtaining any required license or authorization from the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) prior to export.
Items not controlled under ITAR may nevertheless be controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. §§ 730–774, "EAR") administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Users are solely responsible for determining the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) of any item to be exported, for determining whether a license is required based on destination country and end use, and for obtaining any such license.
Users may not transact through the Platform — directly or indirectly — with any person, entity, vessel, aircraft, government, or region subject to sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") or otherwise appearing on any U.S. government restricted-party list, including without limitation:
Users are solely responsible for screening every counterparty against every applicable list at the point of each transaction. The availability of the Platform does not substitute for that screening. BladeHubs may — but is not required to — conduct its own screening, and any screening it does conduct is for BladeHubs' own risk management and not for the benefit of any User.
Users may not use the Platform to transact with any party located in or operating from a jurisdiction subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions, as that list is updated from time to time. As of the effective date of this Policy, comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Users are responsible for verifying the current OFAC sanctions program list before any international transaction.
The United States is a patchwork of state, county, and municipal edged-weapon laws. Blade length restrictions, carry restrictions (open and concealed), restrictions on specific item types (switchblades, automatics, gravity knives, butterfly knives, dirks, daggers, sword canes, disguised blades, and throwing items), restrictions on possession by minors, and restrictions on carry in specific locations (schools, government buildings, transit) vary meaningfully from state to state and from locality to locality within a state. The summary below is non-exhaustive, is provided for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, is not guaranteed to be current, and does not relieve any User of the obligation to independently verify current law.
California
Strict blade-length restrictions for concealed carry. Dirks and daggers may not be concealed. Switchblades with blades of 2 inches or more are prohibited under Cal. Penal Code § 21510. Ballistic knives, cane swords, and certain other disguised or composite blades are prohibited under Cal. Penal Code §§ 16220, 20910, 21310, and related provisions.
New York
Historical gravity-knife prohibition was repealed in 2019, but carry and concealment rules remain strict. Switchblades, pilum ballistic knives, metal knuckle knives, cane swords, and other specified categories remain prohibited or severely restricted. New York City imposes stricter local rules than the state in general.
Massachusetts
Switchblades, ballistic knives, automatic knives, and certain double-edged knives prohibited under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269 § 10. Dirk and dagger concealment restrictions apply.
Hawaii
Switchblades, butterfly knives (balisong), and certain dirks prohibited statewide. Recent reforms have modified some provisions; consult current law.
Illinois
Ballistic knives prohibited. Switchblade laws have been narrowed but carry remains regulated. Chicago imposes additional municipal restrictions.
New Jersey
Ballistic knives, switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos, and "gravity knives" are prohibited from possession without a demonstrable lawful purpose under N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-3.
Washington State
Spring-blade knives (switchblades and automatics) restricted; local municipalities including Seattle may impose additional restrictions.
District of Columbia
Restrictions on certain blade types and on carry; consult current D.C. Code.
Other Jurisdictions
Many other states and localities impose restrictions not summarized above, including but not limited to Connecticut, Oregon, Michigan, Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, and specific localities such as Portland, OR; New Orleans, LA; and others. The absence of a jurisdiction from this list is not a representation that the jurisdiction is unrestricted.
BladeHubs does not undertake and expressly disclaims any duty to keep the foregoing state-law summary accurate, current, or complete. State law changes frequently. BladeHubs is not a legal research service. It is the User's ongoing, continuing, per-transaction obligation to verify applicable current law in every jurisdiction involved in any transaction. Reliance on this summary is unreasonable. The User, not BladeHubs, bears the entire risk of any inaccuracy.
Compliance with this Policy is a continuing, per-transaction obligation. It is not discharged by the User's one-time acknowledgment at account registration. By each of the following actions, the User re-affirms, as of the date and time of that action, every representation in this Policy:
Consistent with Terms of Service §4.5, Smiths and Customers are required to make affirmative electronic attestations at the point of transaction that the specific item, the specific ship-to jurisdiction, the specific carrier, and the specific parties comply with all applicable law and with this Policy. An incorrect or misleading per-transaction attestation is a material breach of these Terms and a material breach of this Policy.
8.1 BLADEHUBS HAS NO LIABILITY — DIRECT, INDIRECT, DERIVATIVE, VICARIOUS, OR OTHERWISE — TO ANY USER, ANY THIRD PARTY, OR ANY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY FOR ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING ANY PROHIBITED ITEM, ANY RESTRICTED ITEM, ANY ITEM NONCOMPLIANT WITH APPLICABLE LAW, ANY ITEM NONCOMPLIANT WITH ANY SHIPPING CARRIER RULE, ANY ITEM SUBJECT TO EXPORT CONTROL OR SANCTIONS, OR ANY TRANSACTION OTHERWISE VIOLATING THIS POLICY.
8.2 THE USER WHO LISTS, QUOTES, COMMISSIONS, PURCHASES, POSSESSES, SHIPS, OR RECEIVES ANY SUCH ITEM BEARS SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY FOR ALL CONSEQUENCES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CIVIL LIABILITY, CRIMINAL LIABILITY, REGULATORY LIABILITY, CARRIER LIABILITY, THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS, SEIZURES, FORFEITURES, FINES, PENALTIES, AND INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF.
8.3 BLADEHUBS' SOLE OBLIGATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY ARE (A) REMOVAL OF THE OFFENDING LISTING OR CANCELLATION OF THE OFFENDING TRANSACTION; (B) SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE OFFENDING USER'S ACCOUNT; (C) FORFEITURE OF ESCROWED FUNDS OF THE OFFENDING USER TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND NECESSARY TO SATISFY THAT USER'S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE TERMS OF SERVICE §4.6; AND (D) COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY LAW.
8.4 THIS SECTION 8 IS IN ADDITION TO, AND DOES NOT LIMIT, THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IN TERMS OF SERVICE §12 OR THE INDEMNIFICATION IN TERMS OF SERVICE §4.6. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT, THE PROVISION MOST PROTECTIVE OF BLADEHUBS CONTROLS.
BladeHubs reserves the right, but does not assume any duty, to review any listing, quote request, bid, order, private message, or Smith-Customer communication on the Platform for compliance with this Policy. Nothing in this Policy creates an affirmative duty to monitor, and BladeHubs' exercise or non-exercise of its right to review is not a representation or warranty as to the legality of any transaction. Failure by BladeHubs to identify or remove a noncompliant listing or transaction does not constitute an endorsement of that listing or transaction and does not estop BladeHubs from enforcing this Policy at any later time.
Violations of this Policy may result in one or more of the following, at BladeHubs' sole discretion: immediate removal of the offending listing, cancellation of the offending transaction, forfeiture of escrowed funds to the extent permitted by law, immediate and permanent account suspension or termination, forfeiture of listing and commission fees paid, forfeiture of any Smith-tier status, public notation on the User's profile (if any), and referral to federal, state, or local law enforcement or other regulatory authority.
BladeHubs cooperates with law enforcement. In response to a lawful subpoena, search warrant, court order, civil investigative demand, or other legally binding process, BladeHubs will produce responsive records in accordance with applicable law. BladeHubs may, in its sole discretion, also cooperate with non-binding law enforcement requests where it believes in good faith that doing so is lawful and appropriate to prevent imminent harm, investigate suspected fraud or criminal activity, or protect the rights, property, or safety of BladeHubs, its Users, or the public.
This Policy does not impose on BladeHubs any duty to pre-screen, review, or monitor Users, listings, quotes, orders, or communications. To the extent any provision of this Policy could be read to impose such a duty, it is disclaimed. BladeHubs' activities as a pure marketplace fall within and are intended to be protected by applicable federal limitations on intermediary liability, including without limitation 47 U.S.C. § 230 to the extent applicable.
If you believe a listing, quote request, order, or communication violates this Policy, report it immediately through the "Report a Violation" option on the contact form at /contact, or by emailing legal@bladehubs.com. Reports are reviewed by BladeHubs in the ordinary course. Good-faith reports are confidential to the extent legally permissible. BladeHubs does not tolerate retaliation against Users who submit good-faith reports. Reporting a violation does not relieve the reporting User of any of that User's own obligations under this Policy or applicable law.
BladeHubs may amend this Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated to registered Users by email at least thirty (30) days before the effective date; non-material changes (typographical, clarifying, or structural) may take effect immediately upon posting. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of amended Terms constitutes acceptance. A User's disagreement with a future amendment is grounds to cease using the Platform; it is not grounds to avoid the User's obligations under the Policy in effect at the time of any completed or pending transaction.
12.1 Registration Acknowledgment. By creating an account on BladeHubs, each User — Smith and Customer alike — acknowledges that the User has read, understood, and agrees to comply with this Policy as a condition of continued access to the Platform.
12.2 Per-Transaction Acknowledgment. The registration acknowledgment does not discharge the User's compliance obligation. By each action enumerated in Section 7 of this Policy — including each quote, each bid, each commission acceptance, each listing, each purchase, and each shipment — the User re-affirms, as of the date and time of that action, that the User has read this Policy in its then-current form, understands it, and is in compliance with it for the specific transaction.
12.3 Incorporation. This Policy is incorporated by reference into the BladeHubs Terms of Service and, for Smiths, the Smith Platform Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given them in the Terms of Service. In the event of conflict between this Policy and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service control, except that the Platform Liability Shield in Section 8 of this Policy and the Limitation of Liability and Indemnification in the Terms of Service apply cumulatively and the provision most protective of BladeHubs prevails.
BladeHubs LLC · Citrus County, Florida Legal and Policy Questions: legal@bladehubs.com Violation Reports: legal@bladehubs.com or /contact