1. Pets and other animals
Dogs, cats, ferrets and horses
You can bring your dog, cat or ferret into the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
There’s a similar scheme for horses.
Other animals
There are no restrictions on bringing pet rodents, rabbits, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles to the UK from other EU countries.
Pet rabbits and rodents from countries outside the EU must spend 4 months in quarantine. They need a rabies import licence.
Contact the Centre for International Trade (Carlisle) for more information on the rules for travelling with these or other species of pet.
Non-native animals
There are rules you must follow when importing animals that aren’t native to the UK.
2. Plants
You can bring in any plant material from countries within the European Union (EU) if it is:
grown in an EU country
free from pests and diseases
for your own use
The leaflet ‘Bringing fruit, vegetable and plant products into the UK’ has more information on which plant material you can bring in, and how much of each item is allowed.
Bringing plants to the UK from abroad
If you’re travelling from a country outside the EU, many products have weight and quantity restrictions or are banned completely unless you have a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate.
You can get the certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you’re leaving. It proves your plants have been inspected, are free from dangerous pests and diseases, and are suitable to enter the UK.
Buying plants online or by post
Check that the seller can provide a phytosanitary certificate before you buy any plants from outside the EU.
You don’t need a certificate if you’re buying a plant that’s coming from within the EU.
Get help
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency if you have specific questions.
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Telephone: 0300 1000 313
24-hour service
3. Food
What you can bring into the UK depends on whether you’re travelling from within or outside the European Union.
The EU also includes Andorra, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland in this context.
Within the EU
You can bring any fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy or other animal products (eg fish, eggs and honey) into the UK if you’re travelling from a country within theEU.
Outside the EU
Meat, dairy products and potatoes
You can’t bring meat, meat products, milk, dairy products or potatoes into the UK from outside the EU unless you’re coming from:
Iceland
the Faroe Islands
Greenland
You can bring up to 10kg from these countries.
Fruit and vegetables
You can bring up to 2kg of fruit and vegetables (except potatoes) into the UK as long as they are:
in personal baggage
for you and your family or friends (ie you can’t sell them)
free from signs of pests and diseases
Eggs, honey and fish
You can bring:
egg products, eggs and honey (up to 2kg in total)
fish (up to 20kg in total or 1 fish, whichever is the heaviest)
Any fish you bring in must be fresh and gutted, cooked, cured, dried or smoked.
Penalties and appeals
If you’re coming back to the UK from outside the EU and you don’t declare food that’s not allowed, it will be taken away. You could face severe delays and face possible charge and prosecution.
You can appeal for compensation if you think your products shouldn’t have been taken away.