Gifts
To qualify as gifts, goods must be:
- described as gifts on the customs declaration
- for a birthday, anniversary or other occasion
- bought and sent between individuals (not companies)
- intended for personal use
- for different people
- listed separately on the customs declaration
- wrapped individually
Sending more than one gift:
If you are sending more than one gift in the same parcel, you get the Customs Duty and VAT-free allowance for each gift if they’re:
Banned and restricted goods
There are some goods that you can not bring into the UK - they will be seized by customs.
These include:
- Illegal drugs
- Offensive weapons, eg flick knives
- Self-defence sprays, eg pepper spray and CS gas
- Endangered animal and plant species
- Rough diamonds
- Indecent and obscene materials
- Personal imports of meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries
- Some goods are restricted - like firearms, explosives and ammunition. You need a special licence to bring them in to the UK.
Some food and plant products are also restricted if they:
- are not free from pests and diseases
- are not for your own use
- were not grown in the EU
Duty and tax refunds
For more information on Duty and tax refunds can be found at Duty and tax refunds.