Imports & Customs — United Kingdom
What travelers need to know about imports & customs in United Kingdom. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Imports & Customs in United Kingdom: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Beyond alcohol and tobacco you can bring other goods worth up to £390 into Great Britain duty-free — only £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat.
Go over and you pay customs duty and import VAT on the TOTAL value of the goods, not just the amount above £390. Goods — and any vehicle used to carry them — may be seized, and you may also be fined or prosecuted.
§ GOV.UK (HMRC)Verified Aug 17, 2026
The US State Department warns you WILL be arrested for bringing pocket knives, blades, mace, pepper spray, tasers, or a gun or gun parts into the UK. Self-defence items that are legal in most US states are barred at the UK border.
Arrest at the border. The State Department's advice is to start packing with an empty bag so no prohibited item travels with you by accident.
§ US State DeptVerified Aug 17, 2026