Do I have to declare antique and replica weapons at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare antique and replica weapons 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 antique and replica weapons 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 antique and replica weapons out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking antique and replica weapons out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for antique and replica weapons 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 Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “if they were manufactured more than 100 years before the date of any offence alleged to have been committed (excepting flick knives and gravity knives)”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on antique and replica weapons?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit antique and replica weapons, 16 limit it and 1 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Antique and replica weapons can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Antique and replica weapons into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

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

Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control GOV.UK — Border Force / HM Revenue & Customs

Questions about Antique and replica weapons in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare antique and replica weapons at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare antique and replica weapons 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 antique and replica weapons 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 antique and replica weapons out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking antique and replica weapons out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for antique and replica weapons 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 Guns, knives, swords and other offensive weapons: UK border control. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “if they were manufactured more than 100 years before the date of any offence alleged to have been committed (excepting flick knives and gravity knives)”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on antique and replica weapons?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit antique and replica weapons, 16 limit it and 1 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

Banned knives and edged weapons Buddha images, artifacts/objects, antiques CITES-protected species and products Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) Consumer fireworks Controlled drugs (Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 4th Schedule)