Italy has rules about what is acceptable to be imported. Weapons are forbidden. A shipper can fill out the paperwork deceptively, but risks losing the item, if confiscated at customs. The buyer, who generally prepays for the item, is also unhappy if the item is seized. E-bay sellers generally refuse to ship knives to Italy.
You're right about weapons inportation, BUT knives are not considered weapons here in Italy, EXCEPT if the double edges (as a dagger i.e.). So, not a problem to buy knives in USA, in fact I buyed a lot of my knives in USA without any problems.
