How much Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into United Kingdom?
Restricted
You can bring Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 42 liter (1420.19 US fl oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- Extra conditions apply
On the plane
Airline differences
| Airline | Difference from the baseline |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) | Stricter than the standard rule |
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain HM Revenue & Customs / Home Office (GOV.UK)
Questions about Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in United Kingdom
- How much alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom allows 42 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at United Kingdom customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 42 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in United Kingdom?
- Under Travellers' Allowances Order 1994, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, section 167, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?
- Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
- Can I post or ship alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) to United Kingdom instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Is there a minimum age for the alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) allowance in United Kingdom?
- Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out of United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Kingdom limit for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19