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United Kingdom Import Tax & Custom Fees

What can I ship to the U.K. from the U.S.

Here's a quick reference to guide you on shipping internationally from the U.S. to the U.K.

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When shopping in the U.S. to the United Kingdom, keep in mind that shipping laws and regulations vary based on U.S. Export Regulations, carrier regulations, international shipping regulations, and the United Kingdom customs and import regulations.

This is not a complete list of goods subject to import prohibitions and restrictions to Kuwait. For a complete list, please visit the United Kingdom General Administration of Customs. You can also connect with us here.

Restricted Items
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Items with restrictions or allowed under certain conditions

  • Two kg of infant milk

  • Including infant food and special foods required for medical reasons can be imported under the condition that these products do not require refrigeration before opening and that they are packaged proprietary brand products for consumer use is acceptable per person. They will require a doctor's letter to substantiate the requirement. For anything over this amount, a UK import license is required by the consignee prior to shipping. Also, specify if the feed is dairy or soya-based.

  • Controlled Drugs

  • Horror Comics

  • Indecent or obscene materials

  • Regardless of media; DVDs, CD, video cassettes, films, books etc.

  • Radio Transmitters

  • Walkie-talkies, CB Radios, Cordless phones) are not approved for use in the U.K.

  • Rice

  • U.S. Origin-Certificate of Conformity required

  • Cartridges larger than 500g

  • By air cargo into, via, or from the UK, unless they originate from a known consignor with security arrangements approved by the Department of Transport

Prohibited Items
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Strictly Forbidden or Prohibited Items in the United Kingdom

  • Flick and Gravity Knives
    Knives with blades that open automatically by operation of a spring device, or released by gravity or centrifugal forc

 

  • Indecent or Obscene Material

 

  • Offensive Weapons
    Such as belt buckle knives, death stars, throwing stars, and martial arts equipment, Pepper and similar sprays
     

  • Asbestos

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  • Hunting (animal) trophies, animal parts
    Such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains or ashes, animal by-products

 

  • Human remains or ashes

 

  • Bullion (of any precious metal)

 

  • Cash and travelers' cheques
    Including legal tender – bank notes, currency notes, coins

 

  • Counterfeit coins and banknotes
     

  • Counterfeit or pirated goods
    If you are offered very low prices for branded goods that are sold on shopping websites or via other channels, you can normally assume that the goods are counterfeit.

    High quality branded goods that are often copied are:

  • Shoes

  • Clothing

  • Bags

  • Expensive Watches

  • CDs and DVDs

  • Perfumes

  • Electronics

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It is prohibited in many countries to introduce counterfeit goods and where proven the Customs authority will seize the goods and penalize the buyer.
 

 

  • Goods bearing false origin statements
    Including Goods infringing a trademark and Goods infringing a copyright

 

  • Lottery Material
     

  • Prison-made goods
     

  • Stamps (fictitious)
     

  • Including dies and plates for manufacture
     

  • Video Senders. Any equipment capable of transmitting video images
     

  • Eggs
     

  • Straw
     

  • Soil
     

  • Investigational Drugs
     

  • Animal Hair and Wool
     

  • All products containing the biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF)
     

  • Non-perishable foodstuff weighing more than 10 kg to private individuals
     

  • Products containing meat or milk products
    Including Whey Protein for personal consumption
     

  • Shipments subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
     

  • Live Animals
    Including insects, fruit flies/drosophila melanogaster and nematodes
     

  • Plants originating in India 
    Such as Mangifera sp (Mangoes), Solanum melongena (Aubergine), Colocasia sp (Patra leaves), Momordica sp (Bitter gourd) and Trichosanthes sp (Snake gourd)
     

  • Hides, skins and apparel from the following animals:
    Castor Canadensis, Lutra Canadensis, Canis Iatrans, Canis lupus, lynx Canadensis, Felis rufus, martes zibellina, Procyon lotor, Ondatra zibethicus, Martes pennant, Taxidea taxus, Martes
     

  • Americana and Mustela ermine are prohibited from certain countries
     

  • Loose Precious and Semi-Precious Stones
     

  • Cut or uncut, polished or unpolished
     

  • Complete original and imitation firearms and firearm parts
    Including ammunition, explosives/explosive devices
     

  • Illegal goods
     

  • Such as counterfeit goods and narcotics
     

  • Due to the risk of contamination with E. coli bacteria possibly linked to the recent outbreaks in Germany and France, the emergency measure prohibits with immediate effect the importation of seeds and beans from Egypt to all EU countries.
    The commodities are:

    • Beetroot sprouts, radish sprouts

    • Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split

    • Fenugreek seeds

    • Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled

    • Lucerne (alfalfa) seeds

    • Lucerne (alfalfa) sprouts

    • Mustard seeds, for sowing

    • Other mustard seeds

    • Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken

    • Rocket sprouts

    • Soya bean sprouts

    • Soya beans, whether or not broken

    • Sugar beet seeds

    • Vegetable seeds

Carrier Shipping Regulations from the U.S. to the United Kingdom

Carriers have different lists of prohibitions and restrictions per country on destination. You can find the links to our Carrier Partners below:

Regulations By Carrier
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Hey there!

Here are some resources to help you have a fun, hassle-free shopping experience in the U.S. from the U.K.

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