Free import
• The allowances below apply to travelers arriving in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from any country outside the UK, including EU countries. Goods must be carried by you and be for your own use or gifts; allowances cannot be combined with another traveler's.
• Alcohol (travelers aged 17 or older): 42 L of beer and 18 L of still wine, plus either 4 L of spirits over 22% alcohol or 9 L of alcoholic drinks up to 22% (such as sparkling wine, fortified wine or cider). This last allowance can be split, for example 2 L of spirits and 4.5 L of fortified wine.
• Tobacco (travelers aged 17 or older): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco or 200 sticks for heated tobacco devices. The allowance can be split, for example 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars.
• Other goods worth up to GBP 390, or up to GBP 270 if you arrive by private plane or boat.
• There are no alcohol or tobacco allowances for travelers under 17: any alcohol or tobacco they bring must be declared.
• If you go over an allowance, you pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category (for other goods, on their total value, not just the amount above the limit). Declare goods online from 5 days (120 hours) before arrival, or in the red channel or at the red-point phone when you arrive.
• Northern Ireland has different rules. Goods bought duty-paid in the EU can be brought in without limits, although customs may ask questions above 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1 kg of tobacco, 800 heated tobacco sticks, 110 L of beer, 90 L of wine, 10 L of spirits or 20 L of fortified wine. From outside the EU the allowances are 16 L of beer, 4 L of still wine, 1 L of spirits or 2 L of drinks up to 22%, the same tobacco allowance and other goods up to GBP 390 (GBP 270 by private plane or boat).
Currency
• Cash of GBP 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) carried between Great Britain and any country outside the UK must be declared, both on arrival and on departure. This also applies to a family or group carrying GBP 10,000 or more in total.
• Cash includes banknotes, coins, bearer bonds, travellers' cheques and signed cheques not made out to a named person or organisation.
• Declare online or by phone (+44 300 322 9434, 24 hours) up to 72 hours before you travel, or on arrival in the red channel. Undeclared cash can be seized, and a penalty of up to GBP 5,000 may be charged to get it back.
• Northern Ireland: cash of EUR 10,000 or more must be declared when travelling between Northern Ireland and any non-EU country and when arriving from Great Britain. Money orders, gold coins, bullion and prepaid cards also count as cash.
Prohibited
• Controlled drugs
• Offensive weapons, such as flick knives
• Self-defence sprays, such as pepper spray and CS gas
• Rough diamonds
• Indecent and obscene material, such as books, magazines, films and DVDs
• From countries outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland: meat and meat products, milk and milk products (except powdered infant milk, infant food or special food needed for medical reasons, up to 2 kg per person)
• From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland: cheese, milk and other dairy products (such as butter and yoghurt), and pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat and venison, including products made from them such as sausages. Fish, poultry, eggs and honey are allowed for personal use.
• Goods that infringe intellectual property rights, such as pirate copies of films or music, may be seized and you could be prosecuted
Restricted
• Firearms, explosives and ammunition need a special licence.
• Endangered animal and plant species and items made from them (CITES), such as exotic leather goods, furs, caviar, wooden musical instruments, tourist curios and some medicines, may need a CITES permit, and you must arrive at a port or airport that handles CITES items.
• Most fruit and vegetables from outside the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein need a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate from the country you are leaving. Exceptions include bananas, citrus fruits, pineapples, coconuts, mangoes, dates, kiwis, peeled or processed nuts and rice.
• From countries outside the EU group listed above you may bring up to 20 kg of fish per person (fresh fish must be gutted) and up to 2 kg per person of honey, live mussels or oysters and some other products. Pet food is allowed only if the pet needs it for health reasons (up to 2 kg).
• Medicines containing controlled drugs must be carried in hand luggage, with a letter from the prescriber showing your name, travel dates, the medicines with their amounts, doses and strength, and the prescriber's signature. You can bring up to 3 months' supply. Schedule 1 drugs need a Home Office licence.
• Pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel and a pet travel document that depends on the country you travel from (for example an EU pet passport or a Great Britain pet health certificate issued by an official vet no more than 10 days before entry). Pets from countries that are not listed also need a rabies blood test at least 3 months before travel, and dogs need tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival. Pets must arrive on approved routes, and on flights they travel as cargo (except guide and assistance dogs). Pets that do not meet the rules can be quarantined for up to 4 months.
• Goods you plan to sell or use in a business must always be declared; no personal allowances apply to them.