Duty Free

Duty free allowances and information in the United Kingdom

Duty Free: Liquor, tobacco, perfume
Tax Free: everything else

If you are flying inside the EU there are no longer any restrictions on the amount you may bring in of any of the following Tax Free goods:

perfumes, cosmetics, skincare

electrical and photographic equipment

fashion and accessories

gifts, jewellery, souvenirs

When travelling to the UK from the EU with duty paid goods

If you purchase from a normal retail outlet on the continent, customs uses the following maximum quantities as a guide to distinguish personal imports from those on a commercial scale:

800 cigarettes

1kg tobacco

200 cigars

10L spirits

20L Fortified wine

90L wine

110L Beer

Abolition of duty free goods within the EU

On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free tobacco and alcohol at airports and at sea was abolished in all 15 EU member states. Although there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another, travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.

EU countries

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (Greek part), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (but not the Canary Islands), Sweden and the United Kingdom (but not the Channel Islands).

When travelling from outside the EU

The following allowances apply when travelling into the UK from outside the European Union, as long as they are for personal use and are carried by you:

200 cigarettes; or 50 cigars; or 250 gms of tobacco

4 litres of still table wine

1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs

perfume - no restrictions

16 litres Beer

other goods including souvenirs up to the value of £300

What you can't bring in!

firearms

unlicensed drugs

pornography

meat, milk and other animal products

counterfeit and pirated goods and goods that infringe patents (e.g. watches, CDs, etc)

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