{ "iso2": "gb", "name": "United Kingdom", "region": "Europe", "bloc": null, "verified": "2026-10-17", "authority": { "name": "HM Revenue and Customs / UK Border Force", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods" }, "currency": { "code": "GBP", "declare_over": "GBP 10,000" }, "rules": { "alcohol": { "status": "limit", "headline": "42 L beer, 18 L wine, 4 L spirits", "detail": "Into Great Britain: 42 litres of beer or cider, 18 litres of wine, and 4 litres of spirits over 22% ABV (or 9 litres of lower-strength drinks like port). Going over means tax and duty on all goods in that category.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "tobacco": { "status": "limit", "headline": "200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g", "detail": "Bring one of: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco, or 200 heated-tobacco sticks. You can split the allowance. Over it, duty is due on the whole category.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "vapes": { "status": "limit", "headline": "Up to 50 ml of vaping liquid", "detail": "The personal allowance for vaping liquid arriving in Great Britain is 50 ml. If you bring 100 ml, you pay tax and duty on all of it. Under-17s have no allowance and must declare.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "duty_goods": { "status": "limit", "headline": "Other goods up to GBP 390", "detail": "Other goods worth up to GBP 390 (GBP 270 by private plane or boat) are allowed. Over that, you pay tax and duty on the total value, not just the excess. You cannot combine allowances with others.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "cash": { "status": "declare", "headline": "Declare over GBP 10,000", "detail": "The GOV.UK customs guide points to separate rules for bringing in more than GBP 10,000 (or equivalent in any currency). Check them and declare larger amounts.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "cannabis": { "status": "banned", "headline": "Controlled drugs are banned", "detail": "Controlled drugs cannot be brought into the UK and will be seized by customs.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "meds_controlled": { "status": "limit", "headline": "Up to 3 months, carry proof", "detail": "Controlled-drug medicine must go in hand luggage. Non-residents need a letter showing it was prescribed to them, and can bring at most 3 months' supply. Schedule 1 drugs need a licence.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs" }, "meat_dairy": { "status": "banned", "headline": "Meat and dairy from non-EU banned", "detail": "Personal imports of meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries are banned and will be seized.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "plants_seeds": { "status": "declare", "headline": "Restricted unless pest-free, own use", "detail": "Some food and plant products are restricted if they are not free from pests and diseases, are not for your own use, or were not grown in the EU.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "weapons": { "status": "banned", "headline": "Offensive weapons and sprays banned", "detail": "Offensive weapons such as flick knives and self-defence sprays like pepper spray and CS gas are banned. Firearms, explosives and ammunition need a special licence.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "wildlife": { "status": "declare", "headline": "Endangered species banned; CITES permits", "detail": "Endangered animal and plant species are banned. CITES-protected items such as exotic leather, furs and tourist curios may need a permit, and must arrive at designated ports.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" }, "media": { "status": "banned", "headline": "Indecent and obscene material banned", "detail": "Indecent and obscene materials such as books, magazines, films and DVDs are banned. Pirate copies of films or music may be seized and you could be prosecuted.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/print" } }, "canada_slug": "united-kingdom", "sources": [ { "title": "Bringing goods into the UK: duty-free (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods", "kind": "inbound", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Take cash in and out of the UK (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/bringing-cash-into-uk", "kind": "both", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Take medicine in or out of the UK (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk", "kind": "both", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Controlled drugs: personal licences (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/controlled-drugs-personal-licences", "kind": "both", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Prohibited and restricted: Great Britain exports (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prohibitions-and-restrictions-for-imports-and-exports/prohibited-and-restricted-great-britain-exports", "kind": "outbound", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Export licence for cultural goods (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/export-licence-for-cultural-goods", "kind": "outbound", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Exporting or importing objects of cultural interest (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-or-importing-objects-of-cultural-interest", "kind": "outbound", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports", "kind": "both", "lang": "en" }, { "title": "Banned and restricted goods for personal use (GOV.UK)", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/banned-and-restricted-goods", "kind": "inbound", "lang": "en", "unverified": true }, { "title": "Export licensing for cultural goods (Arts Council England)", "url": "https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/export-controls/export-licensing", "kind": "outbound", "lang": "en", "unverified": true } ], "outbound": { "cash": { "status": "declare", "headline": "Declare GBP 10,000+ before leaving", "detail": "Declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more (alone or as a family or group) to UK customs before you leave. The earliest you can declare is 72 hours before travel. Undeclared cash can be seized, with a penalty of up to GBP 5,000 to recover it.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/bringing-cash-into-uk" }, "antiquities": { "status": "declare", "headline": "UK export licence for cultural objects", "detail": "You need a UK export licence to export objects of cultural interest from Great Britain to any destination outside the UK. Arts Council England administers it. Moving objects to Northern Ireland does not need one.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/export-licence-for-cultural-goods" }, "wildlife": { "status": "declare", "headline": "CITES permit needed to take specimens out", "detail": "You must apply for a permit to move a CITES specimen out of Great Britain. Small personal-luggage allowances exist, for example 125g caviar or 4 dead seahorses. Show CITES documents to Border Force; penalties reach 7 years in prison.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports" }, "meds_controlled": { "status": "declare", "headline": "Carry in hand luggage with proof", "detail": "Medicine containing a controlled drug must be in your hand luggage when leaving the UK, with a prescription or doctor's letter. Check the destination's rules with its embassy first.", "source": "https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk" } } }