Do I have to declare battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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 battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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.

Does the United Kingdom limit for battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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: “a maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries not exceeding 160 Wh each may be carried. Spare batteries must be carried in the cabin.”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. United Kingdom is among the more permissive.

How much Battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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 Battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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 battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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 battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs 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: “a maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries not exceeding 160 Wh each may be carried. Spare batteries must be carried in the cabin.”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit battery-powered mobility aids and wheelchairs, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. United Kingdom is among the more permissive.

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

Medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators Mobile phone Personal mobility devices (hoverboard, e-scooter, self-balancing wheel, e-bike) Portable electronic devices with installed battery Power bank Radios, transmitters and pagers