Do I have to declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at United Kingdom customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Kingdom limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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: “no more than 2.5 kg per person; used to pack perishables that are not subject to these Instructions; the package must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 2.5 kilogram

What you need to know

2.5 kilogram (5.51 lb)
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 Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) in United Kingdom

How much dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into United Kingdom?: United Kingdom allows 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at United Kingdom customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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: “no more than 2.5 kg per person; used to pack perishables that are not subject to these Instructions; the package must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 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

Antique and replica weapons 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