Do I have to declare medicines at United Kingdom customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare medicines 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 medicines 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 medicines out of United Kingdom?

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

Does the United Kingdom limit for medicines 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 food into Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad.”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on medicines?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medicines can I bring into United Kingdom?

Restricted

You can bring Medicines 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
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

Take medicine in or out of the UK Home Office / HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
Bringing food into Great Britain Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) / Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Questions about Medicines in United Kingdom

Do I have to declare medicines at United Kingdom customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United Kingdom customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare medicines 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 medicines 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 medicines out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking medicines out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Kingdom limit for medicines 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 food into Great Britain. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad.”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on medicines?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

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