Do I have to declare seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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 seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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 seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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: Plants and plant-based products from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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: Plants and plant-based products from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein GOV.UK (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs / APHA)

Questions about Seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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 seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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 seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings 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: Plants and plant-based products from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit seeds, tubers, seedlings and cuttings, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

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