Can I bring my belongings to the UK without paying customs duty?

Yes, if you are moving to the UK permanently and qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. This allows you to import your personal belongings and household goods duty-free, provided you have owned and used them for at least 6 months before moving. You must apply for ToR relief before shipping goods.

What items are prohibited from bringing into the UK?

Prohibited items include controlled drugs, offensive weapons, indecent or obscene material, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and some foods. Restricted items that need licences or permits include firearms, certain medicines, some plant products, and endangered species products.

How much cash can I bring into the UK?

You can bring any amount of cash into the UK, but you must declare cash of 10,000 pounds or more (or the equivalent in any currency) at customs. This includes banknotes, coins, travellers cheques, and certain other monetary instruments. Failure to declare can result in seizure.

Do I need to declare food I bring into the UK?

Many food items have restrictions. Meat, dairy, and certain plant products from outside the UK have strict limits or are banned entirely. Small quantities of food for personal use from some countries may be permitted. Always declare food items at customs if in doubt.

UK Customs and Import Rules for Immigrants

When moving to the UK, you can import personal belongings duty-free through Transfer of Residence relief, provided items have been owned and used for 6+ months. Certain items are prohibited or restricted. Cash over 10,000 pounds must be declared. This guide covers allowances, prohibited items, the declaration process, and how to claim relief.

Transfer of Residence Relief

If you are moving to the UK permanently, you can bring your personal belongings without paying customs duty or import VAT. This is called Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. To qualify:

You must be moving your normal home to the UK
Your belongings must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months
You must have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months
You must apply for relief before or at the time of importation

Apply using form ToR1 on the GOV.UK Transfer of Residence page. The process takes several weeks, so apply well in advance of your shipping date.

What You Can Bring

Under ToR relief, you can bring:

Furniture and household goods
Clothing and personal items
Electronics (computers, phones, TVs)
Books, CDs, and personal collections
One motor vehicle (that you have owned and used for 6+ months)
Tools and equipment for your profession

Items brought under ToR relief cannot be sold, lent, or disposed of for 12 months after import without paying the duty and VAT that was waived.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Regardless of ToR relief, certain items cannot be brought into the UK:

Prohibited (Cannot Be Imported at All)

Controlled drugs
Offensive weapons (including certain knives)
Indecent or obscene material
Counterfeit goods
Certain animal products from non-EU countries

Restricted (Need a Licence or Permit)

Firearms and ammunition
Certain prescription medicines (bring a doctor's letter)
Plants and seeds (may need a phytosanitary certificate)
Endangered species products (CITES permit required)
Some food and agricultural products

Check the full list on the GOV.UK banned and restricted goods page.

Food and Drink

Food rules can be strict:

Meat and dairy from most non-EU countries is restricted or banned
Small quantities of some foods for personal use may be allowed
Fish products have separate rules
Fruits and vegetables may need inspection
Alcohol and tobacco have specific duty-free allowances

If you want to bring specific food items from your home country, check the rules before packing. Seized items are destroyed and you may face a fine. For finding foods from home once you are in the UK, see our supermarkets guide.

Cash and Valuables

You can bring any amount of cash into the UK, but:

Cash of 10,000 pounds or more (or equivalent) must be declared
This includes banknotes, coins, and travellers cheques
Failure to declare can result in the cash being seized
Jewellery and valuables do not need to be declared but may attract customs attention if they appear commercial

Once settled, you will want to open a UK bank account and build your credit score.

Arriving at the Border

When you arrive in the UK, use the correct customs channel:

Green channel: Nothing to declare
Red channel: Goods to declare (including cash over 10,000 pounds)

If your shipped goods arrive separately, you will deal with customs through your shipping company or freight forwarder. They can guide you through the process. For more on arriving, see our border control guide.

Next Steps

If you are moving to the UK, apply for Transfer of Residence relief well before your move date. Make an inventory of everything you are shipping. Check the prohibited and restricted items list. Declare anything that needs declaring at customs.

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