Restricted & Prohibited Items for Import to the UK/Northern Ireland

Certain goods cannot be brought into the UK under any circumstances, and some are restricted and require a licence. This applies uniformly across the UK, including Northern Ireland (subject to additional Windsor Framework arrangements for goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland). Broad categories include:

• Completely prohibited: illicit drugs; offensive weapons (e.g., flick knives, gravity knives); self-defence sprays (e.g., pepper/CS spray); indecent or obscene material; rough (uncertified) diamonds. 

• Restricted / licence required: firearms, ammunition and explosives; certain live animals, animal products, and plant products (subject to phytosanitary rules); endangered species and derived products under CITES; cultural goods and antiques (export licensing); certain meat and dairy products from outside the UK/EU. 

Exporters and suppliers should always check the current, authoritative UK Government guidance before shipping goods, as rules are periodically updated:

• gov.uk – Bringing goods into the UK: banned and restricted goods 

• gov.uk – UK Trade Tariff: prohibitions and restrictions