How to buy and return bladed items
It’s illegal to sell knives and other bladed items to anyone under the age of 18.
Verifying your age
We’ll verify your age at checkout using a facial estimation tool, Yoti. You’ll need to allow camera access on your device to do this. None of your data will be saved and Yoti will delete your photo immediately after verifying your age.
If you’re using our app, you’ll need to make sure you’ve updated to the latest version for age verification to work.
Once the age verification is complete, you’ll be redirected to checkout to buy your items.
Receiving a bladed item
You must be 18 or over, and show a valid driving licence or passport, to receive a bladed item. If you cannot show a valid ID on delivery, the parcel will be returned to our warehouse. We’ll contact you once we’ve processed your refund.
Failed deliveries
If we can’t deliver your item, we’ll send a refund to your original payment method within 14 days. If you paid with a gift card, we’ll send an e-gift card to the email address used for the original purchase.
Returning a bladed item
For the safety of our customers, Partners and couriers, we have different return guidelines for bladed items.
Knives and other bladed items can only be returned to John Lewis shops, or by Royal Mail. We do not accept returns of bladed items at Waitrose shops, Shell garages, Booths, Dobbies, or with Yodel (formerly Collect+) and Evri.
How to package returns with bladed items
Where possible, use the bladed item’s original packaging for your return. If you do not have it:
- Wrap heavy cardboard around the sharp edges and points of each bladed item. Please check the items do not pierce through their wrapping.
- Wrap each item with a cushioning material, like bubble wrap.
- Pack the items in a padded envelope or another suitable container.