Task Outdoor (Mission Outdoors Ltd, trading as Task Outdoor) takes the responsible sale of age-restricted products seriously. Some of the items we sell, such as knives and hatchets, are bladed articles that may only be sold to, and received by, persons aged 18 or over. This policy explains the law and the steps we take to prevent these items reaching anyone under 18.
The law
It is a criminal offence in the UK to sell or deliver a bladed article to anyone under the age of 18. This is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Knives Act 1997 and the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. As a responsible retailer, we comply fully with this legislation and operate robust age-verification procedures at both the point of sale and the point of delivery.
Which products are age restricted?
Age-restricted items on our website include knives, multi-tool knives, hatchets and any other product that has a blade or sharp point capable of causing injury. These products are clearly marked as 18+ on the website, and an "18+ Only: Age verification needed" notice is displayed.
By placing an order for any age-restricted item, you confirm that you are aged 18 or over and that the item is for your own use or for another adult. It is an offence to buy, or attempt to buy, an age-restricted product on behalf of someone under 18.
Age verification at checkout
When you order an age-restricted product, you will be asked to confirm that you are 18 or over. We reserve the right to carry out additional age-verification checks before dispatch, and to cancel and refund any order where we are not satisfied that the buyer is aged 18 or over.
Age verification on delivery
All orders containing bladed products are flagged and dispatched using an age-verified delivery service that requires proof of age on receipt:
- Royal Mail Age Verification for standard orders.
- DPD Age Verification for larger orders.
The courier will ask for valid photo ID on delivery and will only hand the parcel to a person who can prove they are aged 18 or over. The parcel will not be left unattended, posted through a letterbox, or left with a neighbour, and it cannot be delivered to a parcel locker, as age cannot be verified at a locker. If no one aged 18 or over is available to receive and verify the delivery, the parcel will not be left.
All age-restricted parcels are dispatched in packaging clearly marked to show that they contain an age-restricted item that must only be handed to a person aged 18 or over.
Acceptable proof of age
To accept delivery of an age-restricted item, please have valid photo ID ready for the courier. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, a UK photocard driving licence, or a PASS-accredited proof-of-age card bearing the PASS hologram. Please note that military identification may be held by service personnel aged 16 and 17, so our couriers verify date of birth on the ID presented.
Responsible marketing
In line with the Knives Act 1997, we do not market or describe any knife in a way that suggests it is suitable for combat or that encourages violent behaviour. We sell bladed products solely for lawful purposes such as bushcraft, camping, outdoor activity, work, trade and collecting.
Our commitment
If we have any doubt about a customer's age, or believe an order may be intended for someone under 18, we will refuse or cancel the sale and issue a refund. We keep our age-verification procedures under review to ensure they remain effective and compliant with current law.
Questions
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at sales@taskoutdoor.co.uk or by post at: Mission Outdoors Ltd, 23A The Precinct, London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7DT, United Kingdom. You may also wish to read our Shipping Information and Returns & Exchanges pages.