UK UPDATES LIST OF ITEMS TRAVELLERS CAN, CAN’T BRING INTO COUNTRY

Travellers arriving in the United Kingdom can bring a range of personal goods into the country without paying tax or customs duty, but strict limits apply to alcohol, tobacco and the value of other items, while several goods are completely banned or require special permits.

According to the UK government in updated guidelines obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday, personal allowances apply only to goods brought in for personal use or as gifts.

Items intended for sale or business purposes must always be declared, regardless of their value.

Below is a breakdown of what travellers can and cannot bring into the UK.

Goods you can bring into the UK

Alcohol (Great Britain)

Travellers arriving in England, Scotland and Wales from outside the UK can bring:

• Up to 42 litres of beer
• Up to 18 litres of still wine
• Either:

• Up to 4 litres of spirits or liquor above 22% alcohol, or
• Up to 9 litres of alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol, including sparkling wine, port, sherry and cider

The spirit and lower-strength alcohol allowance can be split. For example, travellers can bring 2 litres of spirits and 4.5 litres of fortified wine.

Tobacco

Travellers may bring one of the following or a combination within the limit:

• 200 cigarettes
• 100 cigarillos
• 50 cigars
• 250 grams of tobacco
• 200 sticks for heated tobacco devices

For example, someone may bring 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars.

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Other goods

Travellers can also bring personal goods worth:

• Up to £390 when arriving by most means of transport.
• Up to £270 when arriving by private aircraft or private boat.

These goods may include clothing, electronics, jewellery, souvenirs and other personal purchases.

Special rules for children

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Travellers under the age of 17 have no duty-free allowance for alcohol or tobacco. Any alcohol or tobacco they carry must be declared, and tax and duty may apply.

Goods you cannot bring into the UK

The UK prohibits travellers from bringing in several items, including:

• Controlled drugs
• Offensive weapons such as flick knives
• Pepper spray and CS gas
• Endangered animal and plant species
• Rough diamonds
• Indecent or obscene books, magazines, films and DVDs
• Meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries

These items can be seized by Border Force, and offenders may face prosecution.

Restricted goods

Some goods are allowed only with the appropriate licence or permit. These include:

• Firearms
• Explosives
• Ammunition
• Certain food products
• Certain plants and plant products
• Some animal products
• Goods protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), including:

• Exotic leather products
• Animal furs
• Some wooden musical instruments
• Tourist souvenirs made from protected species
• Certain foods
• Some beauty products
• Some medicines

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Travellers bringing these items may need a CITES permit or another import licence before entering the UK.

Counterfeit goods

Authorities may seize counterfeit or pirated goods, including fake designer products and unauthorised copies of films or music. Travellers could also face prosecution for importing goods that infringe intellectual property rights.

When travellers must declare goods

Travellers must declare goods if they:

• Exceed their personal allowance.
• Are carrying banned or restricted items.
• Are bringing goods for commercial use or resale.

Anyone who fails to declare goods may have the items seized and could face fines or prosecution.

The UK government also warns that if a traveller exceeds the allowance in a category, tax and duty become payable on all goods in that category, not just the amount exceeding the limit.

Travellers can submit customs declarations online up to five days before arriving in the UK or declare the goods at the border using the red customs channel or a red-point phone.

Customs officials may inspect luggage and require payment of taxes, permits for restricted goods or surrender of prohibited items before allowing entry.