How much Printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions can I bring into United Kingdom?
Prohibited
You cannot bring Printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions into United Kingdom.
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
- Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage GOV.UK — HM Revenue & Customs
Questions about Printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions in United Kingdom
- How many printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions can I bring into United Kingdom?
- printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions may not be brought into United Kingdom at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions at United Kingdom customs?
- There is nothing to declare — printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
- What happens if I do not declare printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions 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 printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions 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 printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions out of United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Kingdom limit for printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions 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 Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “It prohibits ‘indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, or any other indecent or obscene articles’.”
- How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions?
- Of the 19 countries covered here, 4 prohibit printed matter, film and recorded media under content restrictions, 4 limit it and 11 let it through. United Kingdom is among the more permissive.
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage · 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 — Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage · verified 2026-09-19
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Restricted and controlled goods for merchandise in baggage · verified 2026-09-19