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A2.6 Prohibited and Restricted Items

Banned and Restricted Goods for the UK (202510)

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/banned-and-restricted-goods

Please note: The list of banned and restricted goods is subject to change. Always check the official .GOV.UK website for the most current information.

1. Checks and Declarations

Customs officers have the authority to check your baggage and ask questions. If you break the rules, your goods and the vehicle used to transport them could be seized.

Strict Prohibition on Smuggling:

  • You can be prosecuted and face a prison sentence for smuggling or selling undeclared goods.

  • If your goods are deemed to be for commercial use and are not declared, they will be seized and may not be returned.

Declare in Advance: You can declare goods and pay tax online up to 72 hours before you arrive using the HMRC online service.

  • For help, call the Customs and International Trade helpline: 0300 322 9434 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

2. Banned Goods

The following items are banned and will be seized if found:

  • Controlled drugs: Such as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, amphetamines, etc.

  • Offensive weapons: Including flick knives, butterfly knives, knuckledusters, blowpipes, and truncheons.

  • Self-defence sprays: Such as pepper spray, CS gas, and stun guns.

  • Indecent and obscene material: This includes material involving children, extreme violence, and any pornographic material (books, magazines, films, software, etc.) that you could not legally buy in the UK.

  • Goods that infringe intellectual property rights: Such as pirated CDs and DVDs, and counterfeit clothing, footwear, or designer goods.

  • Meat, honey, and milk from most non-EU countries (exceptions include infant formula or special required oods for medical reasons, up to 2kg).

  • Endangered animal and plant species, and products made from them (e.g., ivory, coral, crocodile skin, caviar), unless you have a valid CITES permit.

  • Unworked rough diamonds: You must have a valid Kimberley Process Certificate.

  • Certain radio equipment: Such as CB radios and walkie-talkies not approved for use in the UK.

3. Restricted Goods

The following items can only be brought in with a special permit, certificate, or by meeting specific conditions:

  • Firearms, explosives, and ammunition.

  • Certain food and plant products: If they carry plant pests/diseases, are not for personal use, or were grown outside the EU.

  • Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets, assistance dogs): Must meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme, otherwise they may be refused entry or quarantined.

  • Items protected under the CITES convention: You must apply for a CITES permit online in advance and enter through a designated point of entry.

  • Samurai swords over 50cm: Only permitted for authorised purposes (e.g., martial arts activities, religious ceremonies).

  • Animal and plant products: Must meet relevant phytosanitary/health certificate requirements.

4. Allowances (for personal use or gifts)

Note: Allowances for Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) are different from those for Northern Ireland, and depend on where you are travelling from.

1. Allowances for Great Britain

Alcohol (aged 17 and over):

  • Spirits (over 22% ABV): 4 litres

  • Other alcoholic drinks (22% ABV or less): 9 litres

  • You can also bring in: 42 litres of beer and 18 litres of still wine.

  • You can split this allowance (e.g., 2 litres of spirits + 4.5 litres of cider).

Tobacco (aged 17 and over):

  • 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco, or 200 sticks of heated tobacco.

  • You can split this allowance (e.g., 100 cigarettes + 25 cigars).

Other goods (e.g., perfume, electronics, gifts):

  • Most travellers: Total value not exceeding £390.

  • Travellers on private planes or boats: Total value not exceeding £270.

2. Allowances for Northern Ireland

Travelling from a non-EU country:

  • Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits OR 2 litres of fortified/sparkling wine/cider etc. + 16 litres of beer + 4 litres of still wine.

  • Tobacco: Same allowance as for Great Britain.

  • Other goods: £390 (£270 for private plane/boat travellers).

Travelling directly from an EU country:

  • No limits on alcohol and tobacco, provided they are for your own use.

  • You may be asked questions if the amount is beyond a 'guide level' (e.g., 800 cigarettes, 110 litres of beer).

Important:

  • Alcohol and tobacco allowances cannot be combined.

  • Allowances cannot be shared between travelling companions.

  • If you go over your allowance for a category, you must pay tax and duty on the full value of the goods in that category, not just the amount over the limit.

5. Food and Plants

1. Animal Products (meat, milk, fish, honey, etc.)

Travelling from the EU and certain other territories:

  • Allowed: Fish, poultry, eggs, honey, etc.

  • Currently banned: Pork, beef, lamb, venison and other meats/products from these animals, and milk/dairy products. (Temporary ban)

Travelling from a non-EU country:

  • Banned: All meat, meat products, milk, and dairy products.

  • Limited allowances per person:

    • Honey: 2kg

    • Shellfish, snails, frogs' legs, etc.: 2kg

    • Fish (including fresh fish, fish products, lobsters, etc.): 20kg

2. Plant Products (fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds)

Travelling from the EU and certain other territories: You can usually bring in fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds for personal use.

Travelling from other non-EU countries: Most fruit and vegetables are banned unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. A few exceptions (e.g., pineapples, coconuts, citrus fruit) do not need a certificate.

6. Cash Declaration and Arrival Process

1. Cash Declaration

  • You must declare cash of £10,000 or more (or equivalent in any currency) if you are carrying it between Great Britain and any country outside the UK.

  • You can declare online up to 72 hours before you arrive, or get a form to fill in from a customs officer in the Red Channel.

2. Which Channel to Use

At Great Britain ports:

  • Green Channel: If you have nothing to declare (within allowances, no banned/restricted goods) or have declared online.

  • Red Channel/Red Point phone: If you have goods to declare.

At Northern Ireland ports:

  • Blue Channel: If you are travelling directly from an EU country and have no banned or restricted goods.

  • Green Channel: If you are travelling from a non-EU country and have nothing to declare.

  • Red Channel/Red Point phone: If you are travelling from anywhere and have goods to declare, or are unsure.

3. Connecting Flights

  • Declare goods in your hand luggage at the first UK airport you arrive at.

  • Declare goods in your checked baggage at the UK airport where you finally collect them.

  • Using the online declaration service in advance is recommended.

7. What to Do If Your Goods Are Seized

If customs seize your goods, you have three options:

  • Request the return of your goods: You can ask for your goods back in writing, even if you admit to breaking the rules (you may have to pay a penalty and any tax/duty owed).

  • Request a court hearing: If you believe the seizure was not legal (e.g., the goods were for your personal use), you must submit a 'Notice of Claim' within one month of the seizure for a court to decide.

  • Make a complaint: If you are unhappy with how you were treated by a customs officer, you can make a complaint.

8. Contact Details

  • Customs and International Trade helpline: 0300 200 3700 (from inside the UK), +44 2920 501 261 (from outside the UK).

  • Report smuggling: 0800 788 887 (from inside the UK).

  • CITES permit enquiries: 03000 200 301.