🇬🇧 United Kingdom — restricted items
88 items are documented as restricted for import into United Kingdom. These items require permits, documentation, quantity limits, or prior approval.
cannabis seeds
Seeds are legal to possess but illegal to germinate. Import from outside UK is restricted.
Limit: No explicit quantity limit on possession, but commercial quantities trigger trafficking suspicion
melatonin
Prescription-only medicine in the UK. Personal import for own use is permitted but regulated.
Limit: Up to 3 months' personal supply recommended
cash currency
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
Limit: No quantity limit; declaration required for GBP 10,000+
pocket knife
Folding blades under 3 inches permitted in public. Locking knives and longer blades restricted.
Limit: Personal quantity; one knife
pets dogs
Pet passport or health certificate required
Limit: Up to 5 pets
power bank lithium
Royal Mail restricts standalone lithium batteries
Limit: Max 100Wh, contained in equipment
antiquities
Due diligence required under cultural property laws
textiles commercial
UK Global Tariff applies, labeling required
food supplements commercial
Food supplement regulations apply
cbd oil
Legal if THC under 1mg per container
Limit: No specific limit
watches commercial
Duty and VAT apply above personal allowance
Limit: £390 personal goods allowance
mobile phones commercial
VAT and potentially duty applies
Limit: Personal use
toys ce marking
UKCA marking required from 2025
codeine medication
Prescription-only since 2021 reclassification
Limit: 3 months supply
perfume fragrance
Flammable liquid — surface mail only
Limit: Up to 150ml surface mail only
used clothing commercial
Standard duties 6.5-12% apply
meat products
POAO rules apply post-Brexit; most non-EU meat restricted
Limit: 2kg personal use from approved countries
codeine medication
Controlled drug; special postal procedures required
Limit: Personal prescription quantities
watches commercial
Duty and VAT apply; IP enforcement on luxury brands
Limit: No specific limit
alcohol spirits
Duty and excise on all alcohol imports
Limit: No limit but duty applies on all
perfume fragrance
VAT applies on all imports; no de minimis since 2021
Limit: No limit
chocolate
VAT applies; customs duty on non-EU origins
Limit: No limit
cbd oil
Legal if under 1mg THC per container
Limit: Personal use
drone consumer
CAA registration and operator ID required
Limit: Personal use with registration
fresh fruit
Post-Brexit POAO and phytosanitary rules
Limit: Personal quantities
meat products
Post-Brexit POAO restrictions apply
Limit: Up to 2kg commercially processed from approved origins
tattoo equipment
Tattoo Equipment restricted; documentation or permits may apply
xanax alprazolam
Xanax / Alprazolam restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 3-month personal supply under Schedule 4 Part 1 personal licence exemption
vyvanse lisdexamfetamine
Vyvanse / Lisdexamfetamine restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 3 months under Home Office personal licence exemption (Schedule 2 CD)
ozempic semaglutide
Ozempic / Semaglutide restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 3-month personal supply; no import licence required for personal use
drone batteries
Drone Batteries (LiPo) restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: ≤100 Wh in carry-on, max 2 spares; 101-160 Wh requires airline approval; over 160 Wh prohibited; CAA rules align with IATA DGR
walkie talkies
Walkie-Talkies / Two-Way Radios restricted; documentation or permits may apply
night vision devices
Night Vision Devices restricted; documentation or permits may apply
kava
Kava restricted; documentation or permits may apply
coral seashells
Coral & Seashells restricted; documentation or permits may apply
taxidermy
Taxidermy restricted; documentation or permits may apply
used cars
Used Cars restricted; documentation or permits may apply
motorcycles
Motorcycles restricted; documentation or permits may apply
feathers plumage
Feathers & Plumage restricted; documentation or permits may apply
drone batteries
Postal restrictions apply for drone batteries (lipo)
Limit: Royal Mail prohibits lithium batteries; couriers: ≤100 Wh with UN3481 declaration; 101-160 Wh requires CAA DG authorisation
wine
Postal restrictions apply for wine
beer
Postal restrictions apply for beer
laptops
Postal restrictions apply for laptops
coral seashells
Postal restrictions apply for coral & seashells
taxidermy
Postal restrictions apply for taxidermy
laptops
Import duties and regulations apply for personal laptops
Limit: Personal use
used cars
Import duties and regulations apply for personal used cars
Limit: Personal use
motorcycles
Import duties and regulations apply for personal motorcycles
Limit: Personal use
wine
Import duties and regulations apply for personal wine
Limit: Personal use
beer
Import duties and regulations apply for personal beer
Limit: Personal use
tattoo equipment
Import duties and regulations apply for personal tattoo equipment
Limit: Personal use
testosterone
Testosterone may require documentation or declaration
satellite phone
Satellite Phone may require documentation or declaration
seeds plants
Seeds & Plants may require documentation or declaration
poppy seeds
Poppy Seeds may require documentation or declaration
electronic cigarette liquid
E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration
antiquities
Antiquities may require documentation or declaration
tramadol medication
Tramadol (Medication) may require documentation or declaration
Limit: Up to 3-month personal supply under Schedule 3 personal licence exemption
baby formula
Postal restrictions apply for baby formula
protein powder
Postal restrictions apply for protein powder
energy drinks
Postal restrictions apply for energy drinks
insulin
Postal restrictions apply for insulin
melatonin
Postal restrictions apply for melatonin
tramadol medication
Postal restrictions apply for tramadol (medication)
Limit: Schedule 3 CD (Controlled Drug); mailing internationally prohibited under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 §3
adderall medication
Postal restrictions apply for adderall (medication)
Limit: Schedule 2 CD; international postal import prohibited under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
gold jewellery
Postal restrictions apply for gold jewellery
Limit: No weight limit for posting; items over GBP 135 (non-commercial) require customs declaration; commercial shipments must comply with UK Global Tariff Chapter 71
tobacco cigarettes
Postal restrictions apply for tobacco cigarettes
Limit: Royal Mail prohibited article; couriers may carry up to 800 cigarettes duty-paid per addressee; commercial import requires HMRC tobacco duty registration
alcohol spirits
Postal restrictions apply for alcohol / spirits
Limit: Royal Mail allows spirits with appropriate duty; commercial: HMRC excise duty applies; up to 16 litres spirits per postal consignment with duty payment
vape e cigarette
Postal restrictions apply for vape / e-cigarette
electronic cigarette liquid
Postal restrictions apply for e-cigarette liquid (vape juice)
pets cats
Cats entering the UK must be microchipped, rabies vaccinated, and accompanied by a valid Animal Health Certificate or GB Pet Passport.
Limit: Up to 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel; 6 or more requires commercial import process
coins collectible
Collectible coins are generally allowed; gold coins or bullion over £10,000 must be declared, and ancient coins from countries with cultural property agreements require export documentation.
Limit: Personal use; gold coins over £10,000 must be declared
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit when posted to United Kingdom.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit when posted to United Kingdom.
fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit requires declaration / permit when posted to United Kingdom.
vape e cigarette
Vape / E-Cigarette requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
tobacco cigarettes
Tobacco Cigarettes requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
codeine medication
Codeine (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
adderall medication
Adderall (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
tramadol medication
Tramadol (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
gold jewellery
Gold Jewellery requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
coins collectible
Collectible coins (numismatic) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
meat products
Meat Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
ivory cites
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.
antiquities
Antiquities requires declaration / permit for personal import into United Kingdom.