Khat → United Kingdom

Khat prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Khat prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in United Kingdom carries fines from GBP 0 to GBP 0 and imprisonment up to 14 years in aggravated cases. Because khat is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving United Kingdom with khat is a separate question: prohibited — Khat is a controlled substance in United Kingdom — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.

Leaving with this item

Khat is a controlled substance in United Kingdom — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.

Practical advice

Do not carry khat (Catha edulis), fresh or dried, into United Kingdom. UK Border Force treats it as a controlled drug; carriage triggers seizure plus possible criminal charge under the local misuse-of-drugs statute. There is no permit pathway for personal use.

Customs authority

His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) · https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs