The following may be
imported into England without additional customs duty by travelers
aged 17 years and over arriving from non-EU countries:
 200
cigarettes (1 carton) or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco
1
litre of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22 per cent or 2 litres
of fortified or sparkling wine.
50g
of perfume and 250ml of toilet water (cologne).
Gifts
and souvenirs not exceeding a total of £145 (pounds)
Goods and products obtained duty and tax paid in the EU are unlimited.
Note: The Channel Islands are considered as being outside
of the EU for the Duty-Free section.
Prohibited
and restricted items
Prohibited items include drugs, firearms and pornography.
The UK is one of the few countries of the world completely free
of rabies and, until recently, all dogs and cats imported into the
country had to spend 6 months in quarantine. To bring animals and
birds into the UK, an import licence must be requested at least
6 months in advance. Some animals may now qualify for the PET Travel
Scheme (PETS) and can be brought into the without being quarantined.
Currently, this is limited to certain travel carriers and animals.
Severe penalties are levied on persons attempting to smuggle domestic
animals into the country. An illegally imported animal falls the
risk of being destroyed.
For more information about importing animals, contact the Department
for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 201, 1A Page Street,
London SWIP 4PQ (web site: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm);
or the PETS help line (telephone: (0870) 241 1710; fax: (020)
7904 6206; email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk)
or the nearest British mission abroad.
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 EU member states. Although
there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products
from one EU country to another, travellers may be required to
prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use
only. |
