United Kingdom Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
Import Regulations
Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco one can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than:
These quantities can be seized if customs are satisfied that they are of a commercial nature.
Over 17 years olds can bring (in personal luggage) the following quantities:
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Over 17 years old that belong to the following categories:
may bring (in your personal luggage) alcohol in the following quantities:
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Note that the consideration of what constitutes frontier countries lies entirely with EU and the list outlined above may change.
When travelling by air or sea , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
Each amount specified in above points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
When travelling by land , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
Each amount specified in all the points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
Non-commercial item are of an occasional nature and consist exclusively of goods for the personal or family use of the traveller, or of goods intended as presents. The nature and quantity of the goods must not be such as to indicate that they are being imported for commercial reasons.
- Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco one can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than:
- 800 cigarettes;
- 400 cigarillos (max. 3g each);
- 200 cigars;
- 1kg smoking tobacco;
- 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
- 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%;
- 90 litres of wine (though no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine);
- 110 litres of beer.
- These quantities can be seized if customs are satisfied that they are of a commercial nature.
- Over 17 years olds can bring (in personal luggage) the following quantities:
- 1 litre of alcohol that does not exceed 22% volume of alcohol, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol 80% volume and over
- 2 litres of alcohol that does not exceeds 22% volume of alcohol
- 4 litres of still wine
- 16 litres of beer.
- The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
- persons residing in the frontier zone (region beyond the expanding borders of the European Union including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro)
- frontier-zone workers,
- the crews of means of transport used between third countries and the Community,
- may bring (in your personal luggage) alcohol in the following quantities:
- 0,5 litre of alcohol exceeding 22% volume, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol of 80% volume and over
- a total of 0,5 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% volume
- 0,5 litre of still wine
- 2 litres of beer.
- The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
- Note that the consideration of what constitutes frontier countries lies entirely with EU and the list outlined above may change.
- , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
- 200 cigarettes or
- 100 cigarillos or
- 50 cigars or
- 250 g of smoking tobacco.
- Each amount specified in above points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
- , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
- 40 cigarettes or
- 20 cigarillos or
- 10 cigars or
- 50 grams of smoking tobacco.
- Each amount specified in all the points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
- Medication – for personal use only
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 430 euro when travelling by air or sea
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 300 euro when travelling by land
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 150 euro for travellers under 15 years of age.
- Non-commercial item are of an occasional nature and consist exclusively of goods for the personal or family use of the traveller, or of goods intended as presents. The nature and quantity of the goods must not be such as to indicate that they are being imported for commercial reasons.
- Meat and milk and any items thereof from non-EU countries with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries
- Protected species and products thereof as listed by the CITES (Washington Convention) for example ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests.
- pets need to be identifiable (tattoo or an electronic identification system), vaccinated against rabies and have a health certificate. For more information please refer to the nearest embassy.
- maximum of 10 kg of meat, milk and dairy products coming from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland
- powdered milk for babies, food for children and special medical food (including pets food) may be allowed if they need not to be refrigerated prior opening and that it is brand packaged food and the packaging has original seal (unless in use at the time) and its quantity must not exceed the weight of 10 kg originating from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland, and of 2 kg if originating in other countries.
- fish only if it is disembowelled and does not exceed the weight of 20 kg,
- currency - no restrictions if coming from EU country. Declarable for all travelling outside EU when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency.
- coats, fur and leather shoes made of protected animals will need special authorization
Export Regulations
- No restriction for the quantity and value of exported items when leaving to non-E.U. country.
- See Import (when travelling to another EU country)
- Currency - no restrictions if leaving for another EU country. Declarable for all travelling outside EU when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency.
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to United Kingdom
Basic security information for travelers to United Kingdom
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to United Kingdom
- All travellers to the country should exercise normal care when dealing with bloody needles or when engaging in sexual activity.
- The overall standard of healthcare in the country is up to European standards with a wide variety of medical facilities available although doctors may ask for payment upfront for any treatments required and travel insurance is also recommended.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to United Kingdom
- Road quality is considered good in the major cities and motorways but potentially less reliable in more rural and remote sections of the country. Using a mobile and drink driving are both banned and will result in serious punishments if caught.
Contact Information
For further assistance please contact the British Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.