Drugs, weapons, counterfeit, meat, dairy, milk, animals : VisitBritain

Customs & immigration

Prohibited & restricted goods

To protect health and the environment, some goods are prohibited – banned completely – from being brought into the UK, and others are restricted - you cannot import them without authority such as a licence. Below, we have listed some examples for you to use as a guide, but be aware that these are only a small selection of goods prohibited and restricted in the UK. If in doubt you should contact the National Advice Service at HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk/):

Prohibited goods

Unlicensed drugs, such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, LSD and cannabis. Though cannabis is now a Class C drug in the UK, bringing it into the UK is still illegal and may result in seizure and prosecution.
Offensive weapons, such as flick knives, butterfly knives, push daggers, belt-buckle knives, death stars, swordsticks, knives disguised as everyday objects, knuckledusters, blowpipes, spring-operated telescopic truncheons, and some martial arts equipment.
Indecent and obscene material featuring children, such as books, magazines, films, videotapes, laser discs and software.
Pornographic material other than that which depicts the type of consensual sexual activity between adults, which can be legally purchased in the UK.
Counterfeit and pirated goods and goods that infringe patents when brought into the UK from outside the UK (such as watches, clocks and CDs, and any goods with false marks of their origin).
Meat, dairy and other animal products (such as fish, shellfish, eggs and honey) from outside the EU, except:
Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons which do not need to be refrigerated and are proprietary branded products, with packaging intact unless in current use.
Meat, milk, eggs, honey, fish and their products for your own consumption from Andorra, Norway, San Marino, the Canary Islands and the Channel Islands.
Meat, milk and their products for your own consumption from Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, with a combined total weight of not more than 5kg per person.
From some other countries you are allowed to bring in up to 1kg of food not containing meat or milk derivatives eg fish, eggs and honey. For advice call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 08459 335577 or visit DEFRA (www.defra.gov.uk/).
Live birds – with some exceptions, there are currently strict restrictions on the import of live birds.

Restricted goods

Firearms, explosives and ammunition, including electric shock devices (such as stun guns) and gas canisters. For advice call Customs National Advice Service, 0845 010 9000.

Live animals must normally have a British import (rabies) licence and must be quarantined. But dogs or cats that meet the conditions of the Pet Passport Scheme can be imported without quarantine. Live birds, including pets, must normally have a British health import licence. For advice call DEFRA Animal Health, +44 (0)20 7904 6000.

Endangered species, including birds and plants, whether alive or dead; also such things as fur, ivory or leather (or goods made from them) that have been taken from endangered species. For advice call DEFRA Global Wildlife, +44 (0)117 372 8749.

Certain plants and their produce, including trees, shrubs, potatoes, certain fruit, bulbs and seeds. For advice call DEFRA Plant Health, 08459 335577.

Radio transmitters such as CB radios that are not approved for use in the UK. For advice call The Radiocommunications Agency, +44 (0)20 7211 0463.

Items prohibited for hand luggage (airports)

In light of recent security threats in Britain, allow extra time when you are at the airport for the increased security checks, and ensure you do not carry any of the following in your hand luggage: