🇬🇧 United Kingdom— Cash & Currency
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
2026-04-25
Declaration Threshold
US$12,500
GBP
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving United Kingdom.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01Since Brexit (January 2021), UK customs rules apply separately from EU rules.
- 02Northern Ireland follows different rules under the Windsor Framework — EU single market rules apply for goods.
- 03Goods from the Channel Islands are treated as imports from outside UK for VAT purposes.
- 04The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) applies to imports; check gov.uk trade tariff tool.
- 05Customs declarations via CHIEF (Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight) or CDS (Customs Declaration Service).
- 06Import VAT is 20% standard rate; reduced rate of 5% applies to some goods.