Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 Simplified rates for bringing personal goods into the UK. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. United Kingdom is among the more permissive.

How much Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into United Kingdom?

Declare

You can bring Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty into United Kingdom, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 630 GBP

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 630 GBP
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Simplified rates for bringing personal goods into the UK HM Revenue & Customs · May 7, 2021

Questions about Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty in United Kingdom

How much goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into United Kingdom?: United Kingdom allows goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 630 GBP. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 Simplified rates for bringing personal goods into the UK. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 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

Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts and personal goods