35+ Things You’re Not Allowed To Ship To UK

Figuring out what you can’t take to the UK from the USA can be even more frustrating than figuring out what you can.  While some items are totally obvious (like your pet snake), everyday items that you think are perfectly fine aren’t so until the packers are shaking their heads no at you.

The UK Government rules around VAT and Duty are more confusing than navigating the Magic Roundabout.  And equally vague are the prohibited items lists from international shippers which only redirect you back to the UK Government website which is where you started. 

After running around in circles a few times, you’re ready to take your chances and take everything or nothing at all.

This post is meant to help demystify all that.

Although you should check the GOV.UK for what’s not allowed to ship to the UK, it’s nice not having to read between the lines.  After all, the packing process is hard enough.  With all the tasks of moving to the UK, some things should be simple – like packing your sock drawer. 

What’s Not Allowed To Take To The UK EVER

Government restrictions on what can’t ship to the UK can change.  As a result, international shippers don’t want to publish a specific list of items.  By adhering and referencing the UK Gov website, it’s far easier to stay in compliance. 

But there are some general categories that don’t ever change. 

These categories aren’t allowed into the UK from the USA ever:

• Illegal drugs and paraphernalia
• Weapons (leave your guns and knives in the USA)
• Compressed gases (pepper spray, etc)
• Rough diamonds
• Endangered animals and plants
• Obscene material (pornography etc)
• Meat and dairy products, and no potatoes either

Only if you have special permission with the appropriate license can you bring weapons and ammunition into the UK (ie, military).

Lastly, large quantities of items for resale aren’t allowed either especially if there is any sort of intellectual property infringement (ie think Gucci, LV, Burberry handbags sold by street traders).  The items won’t only be seized but you could be prosecuted, too.

What You Can’t Ship To the UK Via 3rd Party

While weapons, drugs and endangered species aren’t likely on your packing list anyway, you need to read between the lines on what some of these product categories extend to. 

Different shipment companies may be more lenient or stricter on items they cannot or refuse to pack.  Expats have different experiences based upon the shipping/packing company they hire, and some might even push the limits.  But the general rule of thumb is to follow the law and pack the rest (items you truly can’t live without) with you on your international flight.

To help with packing, consider tossing, donating or recycling any of the below items to minimize the risk of your shipped freight getting held up in customs – whether air freight or sea freight.

These are the items most shippers won’t pack for your move to the UK.

Compressed gases, such as:

• Fire extinguisher (kitchen, garage, any kind or size)
• Scuba diving tanks
• Propane tanks

Flammable items, such as:

• Matches
• Lighters
• Lighter fluid
• Aerosol spray cans (your favorite hair spray, dry shampoo, etc) – Any medically necessary item you need that comes in a spray can be packed in your checked luggage with you.
• Paint
• Paint/varnish remover (including fingernail polish remover 💅🏻)
• Paint thinner
• Gasoline (tools or any machine with gasoline you want to take to the UK must be drained)
• Oil (food and auto)
• Perfume and cologne
• Charcoal
• Ink cartridges

You’ll most likely be asked to remove ink from printers.  Rather than pack and ship via a third party, box up your printer and take on your flight.  You’ll be in a print and photocopy frenzy the first couple of weeks after moving to the UK.

Precious and valuable items, such as:

• Coin collections
• Stamp collections
• Money
• Cash

Although not specifically stated, a fire safe storing critical or sensitive documents (last will and testament, bank statements, deeds, title documents, etc) should travel with you and not travel separately.  

Food, such as:

• Spices
• Oils
• Cereals and dry foods
• Beverages
• Alcohol & wine (throw a party before you go)
• Nearly everything…

Ironically, trash bags and even a partially used roll of paper towels got packed up without question, but an unopened box of Honey Nut Cheerios violates most 3rd party packing rules. 

Food is a game changer to making the move abroad easier.  Pack spices you live by and other American food addictions you can’t get in the UK in your luggage.  Just be sure to check the Personal Import Rules Database to comply with the UK food import laws.

Miscellaneous items you can’t ship, such as:

• Batteries (remove batteries from devices)
• Plants
• Bleach
• Household cleaners
• Any liquid (choose tablet or powder form medicines over liquids to take to the UK)
• Open bottle or container (if it’s not a liquid, packers might not care but don’t be surprised if an open bottle/container doesn’t get packed)
• Hoverboard (lithium battery)

What You Can Bring To The UK In Your Own Packed Luggage

Although there are many items shippers won’t pack, you can bring these via air freight which is highly recommended.

Jewelry

Do not leave any jewelry behind for packers to ship.  Keep all precious items with you.

Here’s the thing about shipping jewelry.  Depending upon its value, whether it’s new or used, you could be responsible for paying VAT.  This recently happened to me where my sister shipped me a pair of earrings.  Even though it was a gift and didn’t exceed the allowance of £135, I ultimately had to pay VAT (2.5%) to UPS in order to collect it anyway.

Despite our argument, the HM Customs & Excise won.  We’re still baffled but the point is, avoid shipping jewelry. 

TIP 👉🏻Take it all with you. Wear it all if you have to.  Just don’t stop in customs to declare it.  It’s your personal jewelry that’s not for resale.

Laptops

Some companies won’t pack a laptop due to the battery.  I personally didn’t have this experience.  It’s legal but can be considered an explosive, similar to the battery chargers that airport security was confiscating nearly a year ago.

TIP 👉🏻 Pack and travel with your personal electrical devices.

Spices & Food

One of the most important things to take with you includes food that you know will help you and your family with culture shock for the first 6 months or at least until you can restock. 

Just be sure to not violate the prohibited food list. 

TIP 👉🏻Check the Food Import Database before shipping or packing items yourself.

Medicine

Although most packers will balk at liquids and anything open, pack essentials in your suitcase. 

TIP 👉🏻Opt for chewable medicines over liquid form.  

Getting Through Customs

For all of your belongings packed and shipped via third party, they will be well documented on the packing lists and reviewed upon entry at the border.  If paperwork is incomplete or items were packed and documented that aren’t allowed, your container may get held up in customs and you might owe some money.  But, if you’re legal then there’s nothing to worry about. 😉

For all of your belongings you packed yourself and checked as luggage, it’s simply a matter of getting through HM Customs & Excise once you land and collect your luggage at the airport.

The whole process is based on an honor system.  Go through the proper channel based upon your allowances.  If you have nothing to declare then go right past customs.  Just beware that you could be stopped for a random check.  If you are caught over the legal allowances, penalties could be pretty high.

Not sure what the maximum allowances are for what you can bring into the UK? 

You have to be of age (over 17) and may need to pay excise duty on any of these alcohol and tobacco products you declare.

For beer, wine, and alcohol:

• Beer – 16 liters (about 44 cans of 12 ounce beers)
• Wine – 4 liters (about 5 bottles)

You can also bring to the UK either alcohol or fortified wine:

• Alcohol – 1 liter at 22% alcohol
• Fortified wine (port, sherry, sparkling) – 2 liters at 22% alcohol

This means you can’t bring both the max allowance of alcohol and fortified wine.  Combined they can’t exceed the max.  Ie, you can’t bring a total of 3 liters, but you could bring .5 liter of alcohol and 1 liter of sherry.

Tobacco:

You’re allowed to bring one of these items or you can split the cigarettes and cigars in half.

• 200 cigarettes
• 100 cigarillos
• 50 cigars
• 250g tobacco

Allowances for everything else:

You can bring goods to the UK worth up to £390.  For any item you declare over £390, you may have to pay duty or tax on its full value and not simply the difference.

For goods over £390 and up to £630, you could pay a customs duty of 2.5%.  Beyond that contact the VAT Helpline. 

Bottom line 👉🏻stay current on UK Government allowances by checking before you decide what to buy and what to bring to the UK.

Final Thoughts On Things You Can’t Ship To UK

Although what you can’t ship from the US to the UK when you move seems like a long list, many everyday items can be packed via checked luggage.  Take what you need and restock essentials you can’t find in the UK on a return trip to the USA. 🛫

Be sure to stay legal and check the Food Database and the UK Government website for restrictions and allowances to avoid penalties.  Then upon arrival, follow the honor system and you’ll find that what you can’t bring to the UK was truly the easiest part. 🧳

Looking for more expat moving resources?  Try these.

• Simplify moving to the UK with this expat guide 👉🏻Moving Abroad Checklist
• What To Pack & Sell To Move To England
• England Packing List

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