Do I have to declare plants and plant products at United Kingdom customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare plants and plant products 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.

Can I post or ship plants and plant products 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.

Can I take plants and plant products out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking plants and plant products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for plants and plant products 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 plants and wood into Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you’re bringing plants and plant-based products (like wood) from outside the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein you’ll need a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate.”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on plants and plant products?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit plants and plant products, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Plants and plant products can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Plants and plant products into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Bringing plants and wood into Great Britain GOV.UK — Animal and Plant Health Agency

Questions about Plants and plant products in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare plants and plant products at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare plants and plant products 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.
Can I post or ship plants and plant products 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.
Can I take plants and plant products out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking plants and plant products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for plants and plant products 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 plants and wood into Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you’re bringing plants and plant-based products (like wood) from outside the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein you’ll need a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate.”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on plants and plant products?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit plants and plant products, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products Cut flowers and wreaths Eggs Fish and other fishery products Food, plant and animal products under agency control