Before packing, check this guide. Items that breach UK export rules or destination import rules can cause delays, fines, and seizure of your entire shipment.
Before packing your personal effects for international shipping, check this list carefully. Items found in a shipment that breach UK export rules or destination import rules can cause delays, fines, seizure of the entire shipment, and — for certain items — criminal prosecution.
Items classified as dangerous goods under international air (IATA) or maritime (IMDG) regulations cannot be shipped as personal effects. This includes:
Loose lithium-ion batteries — including spare laptop batteries, power banks, e-cigarette batteries, and any uninstalled lithium-ion cell — are prohibited in sea freight personal effects shipments due to fire risk. Devices with batteries installed (laptops, phones) are generally accepted for air cargo but must be declared.
Narcotics, controlled prescription medications above personal quantities, and psychoactive substances are prohibited. Legitimate prescription medications should be declared with a doctor's letter; maximum quantities are destination-specific. Never include undeclared medications in a personal effects shipment.
Firearms, airguns, ammunition, knives, swords, and other weapons require specific licensing for both UK export and destination import. These cannot be included in a standard personal effects shipment without prior arrangement, documentation, and separate booking. Do not pack weapons without contacting us first.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, and other perishable food items are prohibited on all sea freight personal effects shipments and most air cargo routes. Non-perishable, commercially packaged food items are accepted on some routes — particularly barrel shipping to the Caribbean. Ask at booking for your specific destination.
Soil, compost, growing media, live plants, cut flowers, and seeds are subject to strict phytosanitary rules and are generally prohibited in personal effects shipments to protect destination countries from agricultural pests. Australia and New Zealand have the strictest rules in this area.
Ivory, tortoiseshell, certain animal skins, coral, and other products from CITES-protected species are subject to strict international controls and may be seized at customs. Antique ivory items pre-1947 may be permitted under specific licensing — do not include any such items without prior advice.
Alcohol and tobacco are subject to excise duty in most countries and are generally excluded from personal effects customs relief (including ToR1). Most countries permit small personal quantities but have strict limits — exceeding these triggers excise duty and may cause the entire shipment to be held. Check your destination's allowances before packing.
Large amounts of cash, cheques, money orders, and bearer bonds are subject to declaration requirements in most countries. The UK has a legal requirement to declare cash (£10,000+) when leaving. Currency should never be included undeclared in a personal effects shipment.
Counterfeit branded goods — fake clothing, electronics, accessories bearing trademarked logos — are prohibited from export from the UK and import to virtually all countries. Customs authorities actively check for these. Including counterfeit goods in a personal effects shipment puts the entire consignment at risk of seizure.
HMRC's Transfer of Residence relief only applies to personal effects that you have owned and used for at least 6 months. Brand-new goods are excluded from ToR1 relief (with limited exceptions for wedding gifts and trousseaux) — if included undeclared, they may trigger duty and VAT on the entire shipment.
Aerosol sprays, compressed gas canisters, and pressurised containers are prohibited or heavily restricted in air cargo and sea freight personal effects. This includes hairspray, deodorant aerosols, spray paint, and CO2 cartridges. Check with us if you are unsure about a specific item.
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