🇬🇧 United Kingdom Customs Guide
What customs allows you to bring into United Kingdom — duty-free caps, banned and restricted goods, and medication rules, from official sources.
Fully verified · Authority: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) / Border Force · Last verified
Every section below carries verbatim quotes from official customs sources captured on the verification date.
Two different questions. Airport security screening (TSA/CATSA — can it go through the checkpoint?) is separate from customs (may it enter the country at all?). This page covers customs after arrival in United Kingdom; for checkpoint rules, see the item guides.
Duty-free allowances
General personal allowance of £390 (£270 if arriving by private plane/boat). Alcohol: 42 liters of beer AND 18 liters of still wine, PLUS 4 liters of spirits (>22% ABV) OR 9 liters of fortified/sparkling wine (<22% ABV). Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 g tobacco OR 200 sticks of tobacco for heating. Under-17s receive no alcohol/tobacco allowance.
“You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat) without paying tax or duty.”
“Alcohol allowance: 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of still wine, and 4 litres of spirits or 9 litres of fortified wine.”
Prohibited & restricted goods
Banned goods: controlled drugs, offensive weapons (flick knives, gravity knives, swordsticks), self-defense sprays (CS gas, pepper spray - classified as section 5 firearms in the UK), endangered animal and plant species, rough diamonds, indecent and obscene materials. Personal meat/dairy imports from non-EU countries are strictly prohibited.
“Self-defence sprays such as pepper spray and CS gas are illegal weapons in the UK and cannot be brought into the country.”
“You cannot bring meat, meat products, milk or dairy products into the UK from non-EU countries.”
Medication & prescription drugs
Prescription medicine for personal use permitted up to a 3-month supply. Controlled drugs (Schedule 2, 3, or 4) require a personal import license from the Home Office if bringing more than a 3-month supply, and must be accompanied by a doctor's letter with dosage, personal details, and travel dates.
“You need to prove your medicine is prescribed to you if it contains a controlled drug. Carry a letter from your doctor or prescriber.”
“You do not need a licence to bring in up to 3 months' supply of controlled drugs for personal use, provided you have a valid prescription.”
International Travel & Customs Essentials for United Kingdom
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United Kingdom customs FAQs
What is the duty-free allowance for United Kingdom?
General personal allowance of £390 (£270 if arriving by private plane/boat). Alcohol: 42 liters of beer AND 18 liters of still wine, PLUS 4 liters of spirits (>22% ABV) OR 9 liters of fortified/sparkling wine (<22% ABV). Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 g tobacco OR 200 sticks of tobacco for heating. Under-17s receive no alcohol/tobacco allowance.
What items are prohibited or restricted at United Kingdom customs?
Banned goods: controlled drugs, offensive weapons (flick knives, gravity knives, swordsticks), self-defense sprays (CS gas, pepper spray - classified as section 5 firearms in the UK), endangered animal and plant species, rough diamonds, indecent and obscene materials. Personal meat/dairy imports from non-EU countries are strictly prohibited.
Can I bring medication into United Kingdom?
Prescription medicine for personal use permitted up to a 3-month supply. Controlled drugs (Schedule 2, 3, or 4) require a personal import license from the Home Office if bringing more than a 3-month supply, and must be accompanied by a doctor's letter with dosage, personal details, and travel dates.
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