Do I have to declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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.

Where does this rule come from?

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Bringing goods into the UK for personal use. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “There are no personal allowances for goods you bring in to sell or use in your business.”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on commercial goods, repair items and company samples?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit commercial goods, repair items and company samples, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Commercial goods, repair items and company samples can I bring into United Kingdom?

Declare

You can bring Commercial goods, repair items and company samples into United Kingdom, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

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 goods into the UK for personal use HM Revenue & Customs / Border Force (GOV.UK)

Questions about Commercial goods, repair items and company samples in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking commercial goods, repair items and company samples out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “There are no personal allowances for goods you bring in to sell or use in your business.”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on commercial goods, repair items and company samples?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit commercial goods, repair items and company samples, 18 limit it and 2 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

Used household goods (relocation)