How much Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) can I bring into United Kingdom?
Declare
You can bring Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) into United Kingdom, but you must declare it.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Value cap: 390 GBP
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain HM Revenue & Customs / Home Office (GOV.UK)
Questions about Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) in United Kingdom
- How much accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) can I bring into United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom allows accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 390 GBP. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) at United Kingdom customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) 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 accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) 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 accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) out of United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Kingdom limit for accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) 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: Arriving in Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).”
- How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band), 8 limit it and 12 let it through. United Kingdom is among the more permissive.
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing goods into the UK for personal use: Arriving in Great Britain · verified 2026-09-19