1. Introduction

1.1 General

This guidance gives information about prohibitions and restrictions which apply to imports. It’s not practicable to reproduce all the current information about goods which may be affected. Importers are advised to obtain further details from the appropriate government departments referred to below.

1.2 Information in the UK Trade Tariff

Certain licensing measures applicable under European Union(EU) law have been integrated into the UK Trade Tariff. These are the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) licensing and the import licensing measures which apply in all member states. An indication is given in column 3 of the UK Trade Tariff against the goods descriptions and codes to which these measures apply.

1.3 Additional information and measures

The above measures apply only in trade with certain countries. Furthermore, other licensing or similar measures may also be in force that are not integrated in the UKTrade Tariff. For full details of current UK requirements importers must consult the appropriate government departments referred to below.

2. EU and UK import licensing controls (other than those of radiocommunications division)

Most categories of goods may be imported under the authority of an open general import licence (OGIL) granted by the Secretary of State in exercise of powers conferred by the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 made under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939.

The importation of a limited range of goods originating in specified countries requires either EU or individual import licences issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills or any other issuing authority in the EU. The restrictions apply mainly to clothing and textiles, steel products, firearms and ammunition. Further information may be obtained from:

Telephone: 01642 64333 and 01642 364334

2.1 Agricultural products

Certain agricultural products can only be imported under a licence issued by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) or the equivalent body in other EU countries. Details of products for which licences are necessary are published by the RPA. Specific licence requirements can be obtained from the RPA.

2.2 Other prohibitions and restrictions

Certain other specific prohibitions and restrictions also apply to goods imported into the UK, although with the introduction of the single market on 1 January 1993, customs ceased to have responsibility for enforcing a number of them in relation to goods moving between member states.

Many licensing restrictions remain in force legally, particularly for animal health purposes.

2.3 Prohibitions and restrictions enforced by customs on goods from all countries outside the UK

Anti-personnel mines

Anti-personnel mines and any component of an anti-personnel mine except for the exclusive purpose of development and/or training in the techniques of mine detection, mine clearance or mine destruction for which an import licence has been issued by the:

Telephone: 01642 364 333/334
Fax: 01642 364 269
Email: enquiries.ilb@berr.gsi.gov.uk

Controlled drugs

Controlled drugs specified in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as amended, and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, as amended, including cocaine, diamorphine (heroin), morphine, opium, cannabis, amphetamine, lysergide (LSD), barbiturates and many others unless excepted either:

• by regulations made under Section 7 of the Act
• by a licence issued by the Home Office Drugs Licensing and Compliance Unit

It’s the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 that set out the drugs in Schedules 1-5 and the conditions under which (as per Schedule 4 Part II and Schedule 5) they’re not subject to import/export (or any other) control. You can find a list of controlled drugs and their classification under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This list is not exhaustive and refers back to the notes in Parts I, II, III IV of Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and in Schedules 1 to 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

Reference may also be made to Home Office drugs licensing, who hold a more detailed list of drugs in Schedules 1 and 2 and to the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

When a successful application for an individual import licence has been made by the importer online a paper licence will be issued by the Home Office. Importers of large and frequent consignments of anabolic steroids and growth hormones might apply for an open individual import licence.

The 3 parts of the individual import licence are handled as follows:

1. Copy 1 issued to importer and faxed for pre-clearance to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) National Clearance Hub (NCH) but original to be endorsed/returned by importer (not HMRC) to issuing authority (Home Office).
2. Copy 2 forwarded by UK issuing authority to competent authority in exporting country.
3. Copy 3 applicant to send to counterpart in exporting country.

An open individual import licence should be faxed for pre-clearance to the NCH as proof of licence cover. The original need not be presented except in the event of a query.

It’s the responsibility of the importer (not the shipping agent) to ensure that appropriate licence cover is obtained and properly declared and produced at import.

Explosives

Except those classified and authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as evidence by inclusion in the list of classified and authorised explosives, or listed on a Competent Authority Document (CAD) or official letter issued by the HSE:

Telephone: 0151 951 4025
Fax: 0151 951 3891

Except for fireworks, pyrotechnic devices, ammunition regulated or prohibited by the Firearms Acts, explosive articles intended for use as a life saving device and explosives intended for lawful use by armed forces or police, a Recipient Competent Authority (RCA) transfer document for the movement of explosives within Great Britain only is granted by the HSE:

Telephone: 020 7717 6262 or 6377
Fax: 020 7717 6690
Email: explosives.policy@hse.gsi.gov.uk

For imports/exports of explosives to/from or via EU member states the explosives must be accompanied by an authorised Intra-Community Transfer (ICT) certificate and not the RCA document. The authorisations from each EU member state may be on the same certificate or on a separate authorised certificate from each EU member state. The ICTcertificate/document is issued (in Great Britain) by the HSE at the address/email address given above.

For explosives which travel through or originate/terminate in Northern Ireland the authorities in Northern Ireland will need to authorise.

Firearms

The import of all firearms with the exception of some air rifles/ pistols is controlled. Importers require a Department for Business Innovation and Skills import licence for commercial imports. Private individuals should present to customs their firearms certificate giving them authority to hold the imported firearm. Visitors should provide their British Visitors Permit (BVP) issued by the police. Individuals from another member state should present a BVP and an EU firearms pass.

Fireworks

Fireworks are not subject to any import restrictions. However, storage of fireworks is controlled by the HSE. In accordance with The Fireworks (Amendment) Regulations 2004 all customs entries must contain in Box 44 the address of the storage premises.

Flick and gravity knives

Knives having a blade which open automatically by the operation of a spring or other device or is released by gravity or centrifugal force.

Imitation Firearms

See realistic imitation firearms.

Indecent or obscene

Indecent or obscene books, magazines, films, videotapes, DVDs, computer software and other articles containing obscene images. Indecent photographs of children under 18. Photographs includes images on videotapes, DVDs, computer software and other articles.

Nuclear materials

Uranium ore concentrates, plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in isotopes 233 or 235, natural uranium and mixtures, compounds and alloys containing any of the foregoing, including spent or irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements (cartridges) can only be imported into the UK from outside the EU under a licence issued by the Office for Nuclear Registration.

Offensive weapons

For example, swordsticks, knuckledusters, telescopic truncheons, which extend automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device, butterfly knives, belt buckle knives, push daggers, hand and foot claws, death stars, blowpipes, a disguised knife, that is any knife which has a concealed blade or concealed sharp point and is designed to appear to be an everyday object of a kind commonly carried on the person or in a handbag, briefcase, or other hand luggage (such as a comb, brush, writing instrument, cigarette lighter, key, lipstick or telephone), samurai swords with a blade not exceeding 50cms and certain martial arts equipment.

Further information may be obtained from the Home Office:

Telephone: 020 7035 1808/1807

Rabies susceptible mammals

Dogs, cats and other rabies susceptible mammals, except under licence issued by the appropriate agricultural department.

Pet dogs and cats from certain countries may be imported without the need for quarantine under a pet passport scheme.

Realistic Imitation Firearms

The import of realistic imitation firearms is prohibited unless you’ve a valid reason to import such as re-enactment of a historic event, a member of an airsoft or paintball group or as film props. This is not an exhaustive list and you should consult the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 for further information.

Torture Equipment

Gallows and guillotines, electric chairs for the purpose of execution of human beings, air-tight vaults, made of eg steel and glass, designed for the purpose of execution of human beings by the administration of a lethal gas or substance, automatic drug injection systems designed for the purpose of execution of human beings by the administration of a lethal chemical substance, electric-shock belts designed for restraining human beings by the administration of electric shocks having a no-load voltage exceeding 10,000 V except goods to be used for the exclusive purpose of public display in a museum in view of its historic interest for which an import licence has been issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills address given above.

3. Prohibitions and restrictions enforced by customs on goods from third countries only

Aflatoxin

Imports of nuts, figs, dried fruits and certain products made from these food items can only enter the EU through specific approved ports or airports and must be accompanied by a health certificate – Common Entry Document (CED). Further information on these import conditions can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency Mycotoxins team, Telephone: 020 7276 8713.

Agricultural machinery (used)

Agricultural machinery (used) unless cleaned so as to remove all soil and other debris.

Ammonium Nitrate

Relevant ammonium nitrate materials of high nitrogen content in solid form, including mixtures, imported into Great Britain from outside the EU except under the authority of a Detonation Resistance Test Certificate (DRTC) or an exemption certificate issued by the HSE.

‘Relevant ammonium nitrate material’ means:

• ammonium nitrate in solid form, where its nitrogen content is more than 28% of its weight
• material in solid form, comprising a mixture of components, one of which is ammonium nitrate, in circumstances where the nitrogen content derived from ammonium nitrate is more than 28% of the material by weight, and where the material has a total weight of 500 kilogrammes or more

Contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra):

Telephone: 020 7238 6756
Email: David.Brown@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Animals, birds and other livestock

Under the EU veterinary checks regime a wide range of animals and birds may be imported only at approved Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) for documentary (veterinary), physical and identity checks by health officials. Clearance will not be given until HMRC has received evidence that these checks have been carried out and paid for.

Animals and birds covered by this control include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, poultry, (also see the separate paragraph on poultry), captive birds, rabbits, rodents, deer, bees and other insects, tropical, marine or freshwater fish, reptiles, snails, crustaceous, molluscs and exotic animals imported for the pet trade or zoological collections.

Some of the animals mentioned above are additionally subject to either rabies or conservation restrictions.

For further information contact the relevant agricultural department contact points.

Animal pathogens and rabies virus

See pathogens.

Animal products including animal carcasses

Under the EU Veterinary Checks regime a wide range of products may be imported only after presentation at approved BIPs for documentary (veterinary), physical and identity checks by health officials. Customs clearance will not be given until these checks have been carried out and paid for.

Products covered by this control include red meat, poultry meat, eggs or their products, milk, hay or straw, honey, ova, embryos, semen, some snail meats, live molluscs and fishery products for human consumption and other items of animal origin such as greaves, fat, blood and gelatine.

Some of the products mentioned above are additionally subject to the conservationcontrol when derived from certain exotic species.

For further information contact the relevant agricultural department contact points.

Asbestos

The importation of asbestos and every item to which it has been intentionally added is prohibited, with a few exceptions which relate to chrysotile only. The exceptions are listed in Schedule 3 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Details may be obtained from the HSE:

Telephone: 020 7717 6000

Bees and honey

For bees see animals.

For honey see animal products.

Birds

See animals and also conservation.

Bushmeat

Whether derived from domestic or wild species bushmeat must be presented at an approved BIP where it’s required to undergo the veterinary health checks outlined under animal products. Bushmeat from certain non-domestic species (such as monkeys or tortoises) will also be subject to conservation controls.

Cash

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 a HMRC officer may seize cash in amounts of £1,000 or more if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that it’s either the proceeds of, or is intended for use in, unlawful conduct.

Cat and dog fur

The importation of cat and dog fur, and products made from such fur is prohibited unless the goods are of a non-commercial nature.

Further advice can be obtained from Excise and Inland customs advice centers.

Certain carcinogenic substances and goods containing these substances

Except under certificates of exemption issued by the HSE:

Telephone: 0151 951 4000

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs and other ozone depleting substances)

And products containing them except under licence issued by the EU.

Further details are obtainable from Defra:

Telephone: 020 7238 3205/3281/3163/6111
Fax: 020 7238 3341

Citizen’s Band Radio

See radiotelephonic transmitters.

Coins (from third countries only)

Protected coins as defined in the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

Conservation controls (on endangered species)

EU regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) require valid permits or import declarations to be presented for those species subject to the EU control.

The control also applies to stuffed specimens and any part or derivative made from those species such as furs, coral, ivory and goods made from them.

Some of these species or their products may additionally be subject to veterinary checks (see animals and animal products).

For further information contact the relevant agricultural department contact points.

Cordless telephones designed for use on frequencies of not more than 853 MHz.

The exceptions are:

• importation under an authority issued by Ofcom
• cordless telephones conforming with technical specification MPT 1322

Counterfeit currency notes (from third countries only)

Counterfeit currency notes as defined in the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

Counterfeit, pirated and patent infringing goods

Under EU legislation the import of counterfeit, pirated and patent infringing goods is prohibited if the relevant right holder or their authorised representative has lodged an intellectual property rights application with HMRC.

The exceptions are goods of a non-commercial nature contained in travellers’ personal luggage and within the value limits for relief from Customs Duty, grey market goods (eg parallel trade goods and overruns) and goods in free circulation in the EU moving between member states.

Cream and related products

See animal products.

Dairy Products

Dairy products such as milk (whether fresh or dried), yoghurts and cheese may only be imported at approved BIPs. See animal products.

Diamond trading

International restrictions have been imposed on the trade in all ‘rough’ diamonds through the introduction of a certification scheme called the Kimberley Process. An original Kimberley Process Certificate must accompany all imports of rough diamonds. The restrictions are in place to prevent the sale of rough diamonds fuelling conflict.

Further information on these controls can be obtained from the Government Diamond Office.

Dissostichus ssp (Patagonian toothfish/Antarctic toothfish)

Imports of Dissostichus ssp are prohibited without catch documentation from the exporting state confirming they have been caught in accordance with the convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) or are compatible with illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing requirements.

Drugs precursor chemicals

Council Regulation (EC) 111/2005 EEC, as amended, produced the requirement for an individual import licence to be obtained for each import of any of the 12 Category 1 drugs precursor chemicals for any third country.

Find the full list of 23 drugs precursor chemicals regulated in the UK and all the requirements for each under EU legislation (Council Regulation No. 273/2004 and Council Regulation (EC) 111/2005 EEC as amended).

You can also make an application to apply for a licence to trade and to submit an end user declaration but may not be used to apply for import authorisation.

Carbonised application forms for individual import licences (which will be issued as a paper document) should be obtained from the Home Office:

Telephone: 0207 035 0480

The 4 parts of the individual import licence are handled as follows:

1. Copy 1 (green) held by issuing authority (Home Office).
2. Copy 2 (blue) issued to importer and faxed for pre- clearance to HMRC National Clearance Hub (NCH) then posted within 48 hours for original copy to be endorsed by NCH and returned by them to Home Office.
3. Copy 3 (white) to accompany goods.
4. Copy 4 (pink) to be retained by importer.

It’s the responsibility of the importer (not the shipping agent) to ensure that appropriate licence cover is obtained and properly declared and produced at import.

Eggs (birds and other)

For hatching see animals. Also see animal products and conservation.

Embryos

See animal products.

Endangered species

See conservation.

Explosives

See explosives.

Firearms

See firearms.

Fireworks

See fireworks.

Fish and fish products

For live fish see animals.

Also see:

• animal products
• conservation
• illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing requirements
• dissostichus ssp (patagonian toothfish/Antarctic toothfish)

Flick knives and gravity knives

See flick and gravity knives.

Flours and meal of animal origin

See animal products.

Food and drink

See animal products.

Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade(FLEGT)

FLEGT is set to improve the supply of legal timber and timber products to the EU by establishing a control system for certain timber products exported from countries that have entered in to a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU. All commercial timber products exported from these countries must be covered by a FLEGT licence issued by the partner country assuring the legality of the timber. Indonesia is currently the only country issuing FLEGT licences to verify legal timber products exported to the EU. More timber producing countries will implement VPAs and issue FLEGT licensed timber in the future. Further information on these import conditions can be obtained from the Regulatory Delivery by email – flegtenquiries@beis.gov.uk.

Frogs legs

See animal products and conservation.

Fruit and vegetables

Certain types of fruit and vegetables are subject to conformity checks and will only be released from customs control when these checks are satisfactorily completed.

Goods bearing false indications of origin

Goods bearing a false trade description, applied outside the UK, relating to the place of manufacture, production, processing or reconditioning of the goods or any part thereof.

Goods infringing a trade mark

Goods which are, in relation to a registered trade mark, infringing goods, material or articles, where the proprietor of the trade mark, or a licensee, has given notice to HMRC under Section 89 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 requesting such goods to be treated as prohibited.

The exceptions are goods for the private and domestic use of the person importing them and goods arriving from the European Economic Area (EEA) which are in free circulation.

Goods infringing copyright

Goods which are infringing copies of a published literary, dramatic or musical work, a sound recording or film, where the owner of the copyright has given notice to HMRCunder Section 111 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 requesting such goods to be treated as prohibited.

The exceptions are goods for the private and domestic use of the person importing them and goods arriving from the European Economic Area (EEA) which are in free circulation.

Government guarantee

Articles bearing devices implying or tending to imply any government sanction or guarantee.

Hair and wool etc

Certain animal hair and wool specified in the Anthrax Prevention Order 1971, except under the Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 (Exemptions) Regulations 1982.

Details may be obtained from the HSE:

Telephone: 0113 244 6191

This legislation has now been repealed.

Hay and straw

See animal products.

High Risk Feed and Food Products

Imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin from certain non EU countries that are considered to be high risk can only enter the EU through specific approved ports and airports where official controls will be carried out.

Imports of these products must be accompanied by a health certificate – Common Entry Document (CED).

Further information on these import conditions can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency Imported Food Branch Telephone: 020 7276 8018.

Honey

See animal products.

Hops and hop products

Unless in the case of imports from certain non-EU countries, they’re attested as meeting standards of equivalence.

Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulations

Importation of certain fish and fish products entering the EU require a catch certificate validated by the flag state of the catching vessel. Council Regulation (EC) 1005/2008, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1010/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) No. 86/2010 refer.

HMRC will require authorisation for release by the relevant port health or local authority before customs clearance can be granted. Further details including contacts are available from Defra.

Imitation Firearms

See realistic imitation firearms.

Indecent or obscene

See indecent or obscene.

Insects

Certain insects which may be harmful to agricultural, forestry or horticultural plants, except under licences issued by the appropriate agricultural department and certain insects subject to conservation controls which must be accompanied by the documentation specified in conservation.

Insects may also be subject to veterinary health checks as per animals.

Leghold trap furs

Furs and fur products derived from listed species can only be imported from approved countries if accompanied by an appropriate declaration or by valid CITESdocumentation.

Further details are obtainable from Defra.

Livestock

See animals.

Lottery material

Tickets, advertisements and other material relating to foreign lotteries.

Meat and meat products

Meat, poultry and a wide range of products such as ham, sausage or ready prepared meals containing meat must be presented at an approved BIP where they’re required to undergo the veterinary health checks outlined in animal products.

Milk and milk products

See animal products.

Molluscs

For live molluscs for relaying and farming see animals.
For live molluscs for direct human consumption see animal products and conservation.

Offensive weapons

See offensive weapons.

Organic produce

Controls have been introduced which require that any products (whether raw or in a processed state) claiming to have an organic origin will require certification endorsed by local health officials to legally enter the EC. For further details see the Defra website.

Ova (animal only)

See animal products.

Ozone depleting substances

See chlorofluorocarbons.

Parts and derivatives of endangered species

See conservation.

Pathogens (animal only)

In any form, except under licence from the appropriate agricultural department.

Pests

Bacteria, fungi, viruses and cultures thereof that are destructive to agricultural or horticultural plants, except under licences issued by the appropriate agricultural department.

Plants

Most plants, parts thereof and plant produce, including trees and shrubs, potatoes and certain fruit, bulbs and seeds unless accompanied by a health certificate issued by the plant protection service in the country of origin and also, for certain plants, a specific import licence issued by the appropriate agricultural department.

Certain plants are also subject to endangered species legislation and must be accompanied by the documentation specified in conservation.

Further details are obtainable from the Food and Environment Research Agency.

Poultry

For live poultry see animals.

For dead poultry see animal products.

Prison-made goods

Goods made, or produced wholly or in part, in any foreign prison (outside the EU), gaol, house of correction or penitentiary, except goods in transit or not imported for the purposes of trade or of a description not manufactured in the UK.

Protein (animal processed)

See animal products.

Rabies susceptible mammals

See rabies susceptible mammals.

Rabies virus

In any form, except under licence from the appropriate agricultural department.

Radiotelephonic transmitters

For example, citizen’s band (CB) radios, walkie-talkies, microbugs and radio microphones.

Designed or adapted to transmit in the frequency band 26.1 to 28 MHz.

The exceptions are either:

• importations under an authority issued by Ofcom
• CB radios conforming with performance specification MPT 1320

Details may be obtained from Ofcom:

Telephone: 020 7211 0211
Fax: 020 7211 0507

Realistic Imitation Firearms

See realistic imitation firearms.

Seal products

The importation for free circulation of all seal products is prohibited. Seals in this context include sea lions and walruses. The only exceptions apart from goods for the personal use of travellers are products resulting from traditional hunting by the Inuit and other indigenous people or the management of marine resources. These 2 exemptions must be supported by a seal attestation (certificate) issued by the country of origin.

For further information contact Defra, or the Defra helpline on Telephone: 08459 33 55 77.

The commercial import of fur or fur products derived from baby harp or hooded seals is prohibited except products resulting from traditional hunting by the Inuit. See conservation controls.

Semen (animal only)

See animal products.

Shellfish

For live shellfish for relaying and farming see animals.

For live and dead shellfish see animal products.

Soil (excluding peat)

Other than soil imported in association with growing plants as rooting material, unless accompanied by a health certificate (see plants) and in some cases an import licence issued by the appropriate agricultural department.

Stamps

Fictitious postage stamps denoting current rates of postage and dies, plates, instruments and materials for making such stamps.

Straw

See animal products.

Toxic chemicals and precursors

Certain toxic chemicals and precursors can only be imported under a licence issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills:

Telephone: 020 7215 4501
Fax: 0207 215 2201

Videosenders

The importation of equipment used to transmit video images in the frequency band 470-854 MHz is prohibited. See radiotelephonic transmitters.

Further details can be obtained from Ofcom.

Whale or other cetacean products

See conservation.

Wood

See also separate entry for wooden packaging.

Including bark of certain types and species of tree except when accompanied by an appropriate health or other certificate issued, normally, by the plant protection service in the country of origin.

Details may be obtained from the Forestry Commission:

Telephone: 0131 334 0303

In Northern Ireland the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

Telephone: 028 9076 5311

Wooden packaging, pallets and timber used to protect or restrain cargo

Any wooden packaging or related timber based packing found with goods from Canada, China, Japan or the United States of America (USA) are subject to an import control as the means of preventing the introduction of insect pest species.

Further details can be obtained from the Forestry Commission.

3.1 Enquiry points

Any advice on the prohibitions and restrictions listed can be obtained from the VAT and Excise Helpline.

Enquiry points vary according to the goods involved.

In general, information about animal health restrictions is obtainable from:

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland):

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

The Scottish Government Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

The Welsh Office Agriculture Department:

Telephone: 01222 825111

Matters relating to plants and plant material are dealt with by Food and Environment Research Agency:

Telephone: 01904 462000

Matters relating to live fish, shellfish, hygiene requirements for fishery products are dealt with by:

Food Standards Agency:

Telephone: 020 7276 8829

Matters relating to conservation and the controls on leghold furs are dealt with by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

Telephone: 0117372 8168/8691