🇬🇧 United Kingdom vs 🇺🇸 United States
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 🇺🇸 United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| VAT / GST | 20% | n/a |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 190 | USD 800 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 12500 | USD 10000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 4 | 1 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 200 | 200 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 1100 | USD 800 |
| Prohibited categories | Illegal firearms and offensive weapons (flick knives, knuckledusters); Class A, B, and C controlled substances without authorisation; Obscene publications and indecent images; Counterfeit currency; Products from endangered species without CITES permits | Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Obscene material; Products made with forced or child labor; Endangered species products (CITES) |
| Restricted categories | Firearms and weapons (requires licence); Controlled drugs (prescription required); Certain food products from outside EU/GB (health certificate may be required); Plants and plant products (phytosanitary certificate required); Live animals (health certificate and pre-notification required) | Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses); Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required); Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities); Prescription medications (personal-use quantities only); Alcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities) |
| Known scams | Unofficial 'UK ETA' booking sites charging well above the official £10 fee. Apply only via gov.uk. • Fake HMRC/Border Force payment-demand SMS or emails after recent arrivals. HMRC never asks for payment by SMS link. | Fake ESTA submission websites that charge inflated fees ($50-$100 instead of the official US$21). Always use the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain. • Phishing 'CBP refund' emails or texts claiming a customs payment is owed. CBP does not collect duty by email link. Verify any notice through the official portal. |
Detailed pages: United Kingdom • United States
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