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What can you bring to the UK?

What customs allows on arrival, item by item, and what can travel in the cabin or the hold. Every rule cites its official source and the date we read it.

Customs at a glance

Duty-free allowance
Up to £390 of other goods (£270 by private plane or boat). Above that, tax and duty are due on the total value, not just the excess. GOV.UK, read on 2026-10-23
Alcohol
42 L of beer or cider and 18 L of wine, plus 4 L of spirits over 22% ABV or 9 L of products up to 22% ABV. No allowance under 17. GOV.UK, read on 2026-10-23
Tobacco
One of: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco or 200 heated tobacco sticks. No allowance under 17. GOV.UK, read on 2026-10-23
Vaping
Up to 50 ml of vaping liquid. GOV.UK, read on 2026-10-23
Food
Meat and dairy are banned, including from the EU, where only poultry is allowed. Honey, infant milk and baby food up to 2 kg, fish up to 20 kg. GOV.UK, read on 2026-10-23

Item by item

Everyday items

Cosmetics and toiletries

Medicine and baby

  • Over-the-counter medicineCheck before you travel

    Fine for your own use, and exempt from the liquids rule when you can justify the need. Keep it in its box with the leaflet.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Prescription medicineCheck before you travel

    Allowed, but the customs allowance covers "the traveller’s own needs". Carrying someone else’s prescription falls outside that: keep the prescription with the box, and check the arrival country.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Infant formulaAllowed with limits

    Exempt from the liquids rule in the cabin. Entering the EU it counts as an animal product: 2 kg per person.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Up to 2 kg of powdered infant milk or baby food that needs no refrigeration, in its unopened branded packaging.

  • Food supplementsAllowed with limits

    Generally fine sealed and in their original packaging. Some countries treat certain active ingredients as medicine, so check the destination.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Up to £390 of other goods (£270 by private plane or boat). Above that, tax and duty are due on the total value, not just the excess.

Food

Electronics

Batteries and vaping

Valuables

Alcohol, tobacco, dangerous goods

Rules change, and they vary by country, by airline and by type of transport. Always check the official conditions before you travel. This page is information, not legal or customs advice.

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