Know your customs allowances for alcohol, tobacco, spirits and more

Think you know what you're allowed to bring into the UK without declaring it to Customs? Our guide reveals all.

New research by Direct Line Travel Insurance has found that most Brits don't know how much alcohol, tobacco and other goods they are allowed to bring into the UK without declaring them to Customs.

Less than a third (27%) of us are aware of the limits on what we can import from abroad

EU and international standards

If you've travelled outside of the EU, you're allowed to bring just 200 cigarettes and one litre of spirits back into the country. Bring back more than this and the excess can be seized if it isn’t declared.

When travelling within the EU, a whopping 38% of us mistakenly believe there is a limit on what booze and cigarettes you can bring back. In fact, you just need to ensure the goods are for personal consumption or gifts.

Customs officials are only likely to ask questions if you bring more than 800 cigarettes or 10 litres of spirits back with you.

It's not just cigarettes and alcohol

The research from Direct Line Travel Insurance also found that many of us are failing to declare expensive foreign purchases. If you return to the UK from outside the EU with new belongings worth more than £390 you should declare them and pay tax.

However, 7% of us have avoided paying customs duty by walking through the ‘nothing to declare’ channel, says Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line. 

“The limits and value of items that can be imported varies significantly between countries inside and outside the EU, so holidaymakers should be advised to check the limits before purchasing goods,” he says.

“The holiday glow is going to vanish quickly if an officer pulls you up for unpaid customs duties.”

If you are bringing in individual items worth more than £390 – such as jewellery or an iPhone 6 – you need to declare them and pay tax. The limit drops to £270 on trips made by private plane or boat.

Worryingly, only 5% of us who have returned with fancy new belongings have declared them when going through customs.

“It's always tempting to buy items that seem like a bargain whilst on holiday,” says Bishop. “However, Brits could find themselves hit with unexpected charges if they don’t check what they are allowed to bring back into the country.”

Need holiday inspiration? Fly over to BT Travel

What are the limits?

Just in case you didn’t know, here are the current customs allowances.

*No limit as long as it is for personal use but you’re more likely to be asked questions if you exceed the amount below

**You can only bring in one of the other or split the allowance.

Don't forget your travel insurance: buy before you fly and save