Which exit? UK Customs Regulations

Find out what you can or can't bring back in to the UK

You arrive back to the airport after a great holiday and the last hurdle to get through once you've collected your luggage is getting through customs checks. It's not as complicated as you may think-when making your way towards customs you will be faced with two exits:

Green Channel – Use this exit if you don't have any goods that go over your allowance, are banned or restricted

Red Channel – You must use this exit if you have goods or cash to declare, you are carrying commercial goods, or if you are not sure about what you need to declare.

Goods allowances when arriving in the UK

You can bring goods into the UK from abroad without paying tax so long as they are for your own use or gifts. They must also fall into the allowances below.  Anything over and above your allowance must be declared and tax paid.  

If you are under the age of 17 years you will not be allowed to have any alcohol and tobacco allowances.

If you intend on selling or accepting any form of payment for the goods this will be classed as commercial use and has different rules associated with it.

For full details on your allowances when arriving in the UK visit the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use

Other goods

Most travellers can bring other goods such as perfume and souvenirs into the UK worth up to £390 without having to pay duty and/or tax. You cannot group individual allowances together to bring in an item worth more than the limit.

If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance.

You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.

If you go over your allowances you must declare your goods online before you travel or at the border when you arrive. Your goods could be seized if you do not declare them.

Find out how to declare your goods online:
https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/when-to-declare-goods

Endangered species 

You might want to think twice before buying a souvenir made from an endangered species, as you may not be allowed to bring it back to the UK and may even face prosecution.

Endangered species include:

• Animals such as elephants, rhinos, whales, turtles, coral and many reptiles
• Plants such as orchids, cacti and mahogany and ramin trees

Items to avoid (where international trade is prohibited)

• Elephant ivory (including carvings and jewellery)
• Traditional medicine containing endangered species
• Sea turtle shells
• Products made from big cats (such as jaguars, leopards and tigers)
• Shahtoosh (type of shawl woven from the hair of the Tibetan antelope)
• Bushmeat

Remember

• Never bring banned goods into the UK
• Never carry anything into the UK for someone else
• Never smuggle an animal into the UK
• Check the UK Government website for the latest information

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