Customs allowances determine how much alcohol, tobacco, food, money and other goods you can bring across a border without paying import taxes or duties. The rules differ significantly depending on where you are coming from, where you are going, and whether both countries are in the same customs union. Getting this wrong can result in fines, confiscation, or delays at the border.
The principle: duty-free allowances
When you cross from one customs territory into another — for example, from a non-EU country into the EU, or from the EU into the UK — you are allowed to bring in a certain quantity of goods for personal use without paying import duty or VAT. Above those limits, you are expected to declare the excess and pay the applicable tax on it.
"Duty-free" does not just apply to purchases made at airport shops. It applies to everything in your bags. If you have bought wine in Morocco and you are re-entering France, your wine counts against your alcohol allowance regardless of where it was purchased.
Within the EU and Schengen Area
Travelling between EU member states, there are no customs controls and no duty-free allowances — you are within a single market and a single customs union. You can carry goods purchased for personal use without restriction, though the amounts must genuinely be for personal use and not for commercial resale. Extremely large quantities (particularly of tobacco and alcohol) may be questioned at a random check.
Note that Schengen membership and EU customs union membership are not the same thing. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are in the Schengen Area (open borders) but not in the EU customs union. Moving goods between, say, Switzerland and France does technically cross a customs frontier, even though there are usually no routine checks. For personal amounts, this rarely matters in practice, but commercial goods are a different matter.
Entering the EU from outside
When you arrive in the EU from a non-EU country — by air, sea or land — standard EU duty-free allowances apply. These are set by the European Union and include approximately:
- Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine, plus 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer.
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco (only one category permitted).
- Other goods: goods up to a value of €430 if arriving by air or sea, or €300 by land crossing. Children under 15 typically have a lower allowance (around €150).
- Cash: amounts of €10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared.
These are the general EU-level limits; individual member states may apply slightly different rules in some categories. Always check with the European Commission and the customs authority of the specific country you are entering.
Entering the UK from abroad
The UK has its own customs allowances, now separate from EU rules since Brexit. UK allowances when arriving from non-UK countries include:
- Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) or 2 litres of sparkling or fortified wine, plus 4 litres of still wine and 42 litres of beer.
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco.
- Other goods: goods up to the value of £390.
- Cash: amounts of £10,000 or more must be declared.
UK rules distinguish between goods bought in Great Britain and those bought in Northern Ireland in some contexts. Always check HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) for current UK-specific rules before travel.
The green and red channel
At most international airports and many sea crossings, you will pass through a choice of channels when arriving from outside the customs union:
- Green channel (nothing to declare): Use this if all your goods are within the allowances and you have nothing prohibited. Officers can still stop and check anyone in the green channel.
- Red channel (goods to declare): Use this if you are carrying goods above the limits, or items that may require declaration (large amounts of cash, certain plant or animal products, commercial quantities of goods). Declaring honestly and paying the appropriate duty is far less problematic than being caught carrying undeclared excess goods.
Crossing between EU and non-EU Schengen countries
Because Switzerland, Norway and Iceland are not in the EU customs union, crossing between them and EU territory is technically a customs border, even though passport checks are usually absent. Allowances apply for certain goods, particularly alcohol and tobacco, which are significantly cheaper in some non-EU Schengen countries. Swiss and Norwegian border customs authorities do conduct spot checks, and social media has documented cases of travellers being fined for undeclared excess purchases.
Prohibited and restricted items
Beyond the quantity limits, some categories of goods are outright banned or tightly restricted regardless of quantity. These include certain animal products (particularly from countries with active disease outbreaks), endangered species and products made from them, offensive weapons, and certain medications. See our guide to travelling with medication for the specific rules on medicines and controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
Do duty-free allowances apply when travelling between EU countries?
No. Within the EU single market, there are no customs duties on goods for personal use between member states. Allowances only apply at the external frontier of the EU — when arriving from a non-EU country.
If I buy something at an airport duty-free shop, does it still count toward my allowance?
Yes. "Duty-free" shopping at airports means you buy without paying local tax in the departing country, but the items still count against the import allowance of the country you are entering. Buying more than your allowance allows at a duty-free shop does not exempt you from declaring or paying duty on arrival.
What happens if I am over the limit and I declare it?
You will pay import duty and local taxes on the excess. The rate varies by product and country. It can sting on premium spirits or tobacco, but it is far better than having goods confiscated and potentially facing a fine for non-declaration.
Do children have their own allowance?
In the EU, children under 17 typically cannot bring in tobacco or alcohol allowances. For other goods, children under 15 often have a reduced value allowance. Check the specific rules of the country you are entering.
Sources and further reading:
- EU duty-free allowances: European Union and European Commission.
- UK allowances: HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs).
- Specific country rules: customs authority of the relevant country.
- Food and product import restrictions: check your destination country's agriculture/border biosecurity authority.