Do I have to declare medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 Items that are allowed in baggage. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “You will need permission from the airline to take certain medical equipment on board (e.g. oxygen or insulin pumps).”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators, 10 limit it and 9 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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

Items that are allowed in baggage UK Civil Aviation Authority

Questions about Medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators 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 Items that are allowed in baggage. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “You will need permission from the airline to take certain medical equipment on board (e.g. oxygen or insulin pumps).”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators, 10 limit it and 9 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

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