Key Takeaways
- Personal allowances apply only to goods for personal use or as gifts; anything intended for sale or business must always be declared, regardless of value.
- Alcohol allowance (Great Britain): up to 42 L of beer, 18 L of still wine, plus either 4 L of spirits > 22% ABV or 9 L of drinks ≤ 22% ABV (e.g., sparkling wine, port, sherry, cider); the spirit and lower‑strength limits can be split.
- Tobacco allowance: a maximum of 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco, or 200 heated‑tobacco sticks, or any equivalent combination.
- Other personal goods: value limit £390 when arriving by most transport modes, or £270 if arriving by private aircraft or boat; exceeding the limit makes the whole category taxable.
- Children under 17 receive no duty‑free allowance for alcohol or tobacco; any such items must be declared and may attract duty.
- Prohibited items include controlled drugs, offensive weapons, pepper spray/CS gas, endangered species, rough diamonds, obscene publications, and most non‑EU meat/dairy; these can be seized and may lead to prosecution.
- Restricted goods (firearms, explosives, ammunition, certain foods, plants, animal products, and CITES‑listed items) require the appropriate licence or permit before entry.
- CITES‑regulated articles—exotic leather, animal furs, certain wooden musical instruments, souvenirs from protected species, specific foods, some beauty products, and selected medicines—need a valid import permit obtained in advance.
- Counterfeit or pirated goods (fake designer items, unauthorised copies of media/software) are subject to seizure and may result in fines, confiscation, or criminal prosecution.
- Declaration is required when allowances are exceeded, banned/restricted items are carried, or goods are meant for resale/business; exceeding a category’s limit makes the entire amount in that category taxable.
- Failure to declare can lead to seizure, fines, and prosecution. Travellers can submit customs declarations online up to five days before arrival or declare at the border via the red customs channel or a red‑point phone; officials may inspect luggage, collect duties, request permits, and surrender prohibited items before granting entry.
