Local Rules for Travellers
The UK is straightforward for most visitors, but a few rules are worth knowing: customs allowances are generous for alcohol, pepper spray and flick knives are banned, meat and dairy from most non-EU countries can't be brought in, and Scotland has a lower drink-drive limit than England. Every rule below was checked on official UK government pages.
It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy or try to buy alcohol, and police can stop, fine or arrest under-18s drinking in public. 16 and 17-year-olds with an adult may drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.
Source: GOV.UK ↗
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (35 µg per 100 ml of breath). In Scotland it is lower: 50 mg (22 µg of breath). Penalties are strict.
Source: GOV.UK ↗
Whether you can drive in Great Britain on a non-GB licence depends on where it was issued. The UK government has an official checker for this (Great Britain means England, Wales and Scotland).
Source: GOV.UK ↗
The Civil Aviation Authority runs the registration for drone flyers: a Flyer ID for the person flying and an Operator ID for the person responsible for the drone. Check which you need on the CAA site before flying.
Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ↗
You cannot bring controlled drugs, offensive weapons such as flick knives, or self-defence sprays such as pepper spray and CS gas into the UK. They will be seized by customs.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
Personal imports of meat and dairy products from most countries outside the EU are banned.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
Arriving in Great Britain from outside the UK you can bring 42 litres of beer or cider, 18 litres of still or sparkling wine and either 4 litres of spirits over 22% or 9 litres of other drinks up to 22%. There is no allowance if you are under 17.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
You can bring one of the following: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, plus up to 50 ml of vaping liquid. Under-17s get no tobacco or vaping allowance.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
You can bring in other goods worth up to £390. If you go over an allowance you pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category, and undeclared goods can be seized, with fines or prosecution possible. You can declare online from 120 hours before you arrive.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
Firearms, explosives and ammunition are restricted: you need a special licence to bring them into the UK.
Source: GOV.UK (HM Revenue & Customs) ↗
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.