Bringing goods into the UK for personal use
When to declare goods to UK customs
You must tell customs about (‘declare’) goods:
- if you go over your personal allowances for Great Britain for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or for Northern Ireland
- that are banned or restricted
- that you plan to sell or use in a business
You must declare goods if you pass through UK border controls when transiting through a UK airport on the way to another country.
You can declare goods online from 5 days (120 hours) before you’re due to arrive in the UK.
You can calculate and pay any tax and duty you owe when you declare your goods. The customs and excise duty you pay online are calculated using simplified rates.
Check the rules on bringing cash into the UK if you’re bringing in more than £10,000 (or equivalent in any currency).
Declaring goods at the border
You can declare goods using the red channel or red-point phone on arrival in the UK if for example:
- you have not been able to declare them online or you’re carrying more than the amount of alcohol or tobacco you can declare for your own use - read the upper thresholds section of the Simplified rates guidance
- you do not want to pay the simplified rates used by the online service
- you’re carrying goods to sell or use in your business
You and your baggage can be checked for anything that must be declared.
You may be asked to:
- pay tax or duty
- give up banned goods
- produce documents for restricted goods, for example licences and permits
If you do not do what you’re asked, your goods and any vehicle you use to transport them may be seized.