You will need a knife dealers licence if you want to deal in knives, swords or weapons with blades or sharp points (generally non-domestic) in Scotland.
When a licence is required
- Knives (other than those designed for domestic use)
- Non-domestic knife blades
- Swords
- Any other article:
- which has a blade, or
- which is sharply pointed, and which is adapted for use for causing injury to the person
A 'dealer' is a person carrying out business which consists wholly or partly of:
- Selling
- Hiring
- Offering for sale or hire
- Exposing for sale or hire
- Lending or
- Giving
When a licence is not required
- Knives designed for domestic use
- Knife blades designed for domestic use
- Folding pocket knives; kirpans or skean dhus whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches (8.91 cm in length).
How to apply
The knife dealer licence application form is available to download:
- New or Renewal of a Knife Dealer Licence application form
DOCX file, 84.7 KB
- Change of address application form
DOCX file, 24.9 KB
- Knife Dealers Notice
ODT file, 14.3 KB
- Knife Dealer Certificate of Compliance
ODT file, 6.8 KB
- Guidance on Applying for a Knife Dealer Licence
ODT file, 24.2 KB
- Knife Dealer Conditions
ODT file, 16 KB
You can also get application forms by contacting us: