Bringing goods into the UK for personal use
Declare goods and pay tax and duty to UK customs
Use this service before arriving in the UK to:
- check if you need to pay tax or duty on any goods you鈥檙e bringing in
- declare goods if you go over your allowances
- pay any tax or duty you owe
You can do this from 5 days (120 hours) before you鈥檙e due to arrive in the UK.
If you declare your goods online, the customs and excise duty will be calculated using simplified rates.
Before you start
You鈥檒l need:
- the exact price of your goods in the currency you used to pay for them
- the quantity or volume of your goods
- the country where your goods were made or produced if you are travelling from the EU
- your passport number or EU identity card number
- the date and time of your arrival
- a credit or debit card if you need to pay tax or duty
You can use your driving licence number or phone number instead of a passport number if you鈥檙e travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales or Scotland) to Northern Ireland.
Declare and pay any tax or duty
Use this service to:
- make an online customs declaration
- update an online customs declaration
- pay any tax or duty you owe before you arrive in the UK
After you鈥檝e declared your goods
If you鈥檝e given your email address, you will get an email receipt. If not, make a note of the reference number you鈥檙e given.
Customs officials may ask for the receipt or confirmation number at the UK border.
You can use the green 鈥榥othing to declare鈥� channel when you enter the UK.
If you need to declare more goods
You can make changes online after making your original declaration.
To change your declaration, you鈥檒l need:
- your declaration reference number
- the exact price of your goods in the currency you used to pay for them
- the number of items or volume of your goods
- the country where your goods were produced if you are travelling from the EU
If you cannot use the service
Call the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) helpline if you cannot use the online service.
HMRC helpline
Telephone: 0300 322 9434
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Apply for a refund
Fill in form C82 if you鈥檝e paid too much tax or duty and need to apply for a refund. Send it to the address on the form.
Email HMRC if you need this form in a different format: [email protected]