Many UK passengers returning from holidays are unsure what they can bring back through customs. Searches for “UK customs allowance”, “duty free allowance UK”, “can I bring cigarettes to the UK”, “can I bring cheese to the UK” and “£5,000 customs fine” often rise during busy travel periods.
This guide is written for passengers arriving in Great Britain, including England, Scotland and Wales. Different rules can apply when entering Northern Ireland, so always check GOV.UK before travelling.
Most travellers can bring goods worth up to £390 into Great Britain without paying tax or duty, but alcohol, tobacco, food, cash and restricted items have separate rules.
UK Customs Allowance: The Main Numbers
These are the key personal allowance figures most passengers search for when arriving in Great Britain. You must bring the goods yourself and they must be for your own use or to give as gifts.
| Category | Allowance | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Other goods, gifts, perfume, electronics | Up to £390 | £270 if arriving by private plane or private boat. |
| Beer | 42 litres | Separate from wine and spirits allowance. |
| Still wine | 18 litres | If you go over, you may pay tax and duty on the full category. |
| Spirits over 22% | 4 litres | Or 9 litres of drinks up to 22%, not both in full. |
| Alcohol up to 22% | 9 litres | Includes sparkling wine, fortified wine and cider. |
| Cigarettes | 200 cigarettes | Or one of the other tobacco options. |
| Cigars | 50 cigars | You can split tobacco allowance proportionally. |
| Tobacco | 250g tobacco | No tobacco or alcohol allowance if under 17. |
| Cash | Declare £10,000 or more | Applies when entering or leaving Great Britain. |
What Happens If You Go Over Your Allowance?
If you go over your personal allowance, you must declare the goods and pay the tax and duty due. One of the biggest mistakes passengers make is thinking they only pay on the amount above the limit.
In many cases, if you go over your allowance, you may have to pay tax and duty on the full value of the goods in that category, not just the amount above the allowance.
- Declare goods online before travelling where possible.
- Use the red channel or red point phone if you need to declare at the airport.
- Keep receipts for expensive items.
- Do not combine allowances with another passenger.
- Do not bring goods for resale and pretend they are personal use.
- Your goods can be seized if you do not declare them.
The £390 rule matters.
Watches, phones, designer bags, perfume, electronics, jewellery and gifts can quickly exceed the £390 allowance. If the total is over the limit, declare it.
Alcohol Allowance When Returning to the UK
Alcohol rules are one of the most searched customs topics. You can bring in beer and still wine, plus either spirits over 22% or drinks up to 22%, subject to the limits.
Tobacco and Cigarette Allowance
Tobacco allowance is also separate and has strict limits. You can bring one full tobacco allowance, or split the allowance proportionally.
Food You Cannot Bring Into Great Britain
This is where many passengers get caught. Food rules are different from the normal duty free allowance. Some meat, dairy, plant and animal products are banned or restricted because of disease and biosecurity risks.
If you do not declare banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000 in England or prosecuted. Border Force can seize and destroy banned products.
- Do not bring banned meat products.
- Do not bring banned dairy products.
- Be careful with cheese, yoghurt, butter, milk and meat sandwiches.
- Check rules before bringing fruit, vegetables, seeds or plants.
- Declare any food you are unsure about.
- Do not rely on “I bought it at duty free” as a defence.
Common Items People Ask About
| Item | Can You Bring It? | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Perfume | Usually yes | Counts towards your £390 goods allowance. |
| Mobile phone or electronics | Usually yes | Counts towards your £390 goods allowance if bought abroad. |
| Designer bag or watch | Usually yes | Declare if over allowance. Keep receipt. |
| Cigarettes | Yes, within allowance | 200 cigarettes allowance for travellers 17 and over. |
| Alcohol | Yes, within allowance | Check beer, wine and spirits limits separately. |
| Cheese or dairy | Often restricted or banned | Check GOV.UK before travelling. |
| Meat or sausage | Often restricted or banned | May be seized and could lead to penalties. |
| Counterfeit goods | No | Fake designer goods can be seized and may lead to prosecution. |
| Cash over £10,000 | Yes, if declared | Declare before arrival or at the border. |
Green channel or red channel?
Use the green channel only if you are within your allowances, carrying no banned or restricted goods, and have already declared anything that needs declaring.
Official UK Customs Links
Use these official links before travelling back to the UK.
Airport Travel Tips for Gatwick, Heathrow and Sussex Passengers
Customs issues can delay your journey after landing. If you are returning to Gatwick or Heathrow and travelling back to Brighton, Hove or Sussex, plan your pickup carefully.
- Keep your taxi provider updated if border queues delay you.
- Check your flight status before pickup.
- Allow extra time if travelling with lots of luggage.
- Keep receipts for expensive goods bought abroad.
- Do not pack banned food or restricted items.
- Use official GOV.UK links before travelling.
Airport Taxi Links for Brighton and Sussex
Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked airport transfers for passengers travelling to and from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and London City Airport.
Common Passenger Mistakes at UK Customs
- Thinking the £390 allowance applies separately to every item.
- Forgetting that alcohol and tobacco have separate limits.
- Bringing cheese, meat or dairy without checking food rules.
- Buying a watch, phone or bag abroad and not declaring it.
- Carrying cash of £10,000 or more without declaration.
- Using the green channel when goods should be declared.
- Assuming items bought in duty free are automatically allowed.
- Carrying counterfeit goods.
Arriving Back at Gatwick or Heathrow?
If you are returning to Brighton, Hove or Sussex after an international flight, Sussex Airports Taxis can help with pre-booked airport pickups and long-distance transfers.
Book by Phone | Web | App.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I bring into the UK without paying customs?
Most travellers arriving in Great Britain can bring other goods worth up to £390 without paying tax or duty. The limit is £270 if arriving by private plane or boat.
What is the UK duty free allowance for alcohol?
You can bring 42 litres of beer and 18 litres of still wine, plus either 4 litres of spirits over 22% or 9 litres of alcoholic drinks up to 22%.
How many cigarettes can I bring into the UK?
The tobacco allowance includes 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco. You can split the allowance proportionally.
Can I bring cheese or meat into the UK?
Food rules are strict and some meat and dairy products are banned or restricted. Check GOV.UK before travelling.
Can I be fined £5,000 at UK customs?
GOV.UK says if you do not declare banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000 in England or prosecuted.
Do I need to declare cash when entering the UK?
Yes, if you are carrying cash equivalent to £10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
Can I book a taxi from Gatwick or Heathrow after customs?
Yes. Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked airport pickups from Gatwick, Heathrow and other London airports to Brighton, Hove and Sussex.