Items that are imported into the UK as household goods can be duty-free through Transfer of Residence relief when matching the following conditions:

• Be owned and used by the shipper for at least 6 months before shipped
• The customer/shipper is moving to the UK with an intention of becoming a resident
• The customer/shipper has lived for no less than a year outside of the UK and EU before importing the household goods
• Do not exceed the personal allowance for imported goods

[Any CITES goods with permits (if required). Note that if you own any CITES goods, ensure that the port you are shipping to will allow importing through them. Since January 1, 2021, only particular UK ports can do so, for the full list of authorized ports visit GOV.UK

Any goods imported into the UK which exceed the personal allowance, are banned/restricted or for sale/business use must be declared ( 5 days before arrival if online) and are subject to import duties and VAT ( non-EU countries, terms apply). Refer to Bringing goods into the UK for personal use for more information.

• Alcohol allowance:
• Beer - 42 litres
• Wine (still) - 18 litres
• spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 4 litres
• sparkling wine, fortified wine (for example port, sherry) and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol (not including beer or still wine) - 9 litres
• You are allowed to split this last allowance, for example, you could bring 4.5 litres of fortified wine and 2 litres of spirits (both half of your allowance).
• Tobacco allowance:
  1. You can bring in one from the following:
  2. 200 cigarettes
  3. 100 cigarillos
  4. 50 cigars
  5. 250g tobacco
  6. 200 sticks of tobacco for electronically heated tobacco devices
  7. You can split this allowance - so you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars (both half of your allowance).

• Other goods allowance is £390 (£270 if brought by private plane/boat)
• Food products (terms apply)

When moving to the UK, you need to be aware of what you can not take with you. Here is a list of strictly prohibited items to import to the UK:

1. Drugs and narcotics
2. Firearms without a shotgun permit
3. Explosives and fireworks
4. Pornographic materials and horror comics
5. Stabbing and cutting objects (Flick knives, martial arts weapons, butterfly knives)
6. Counterfeit currency
7. Radio transmitters and cordless telephones are not approved in the UK
8. Animal products including meat and poultry.
9. Plants and plant products including trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruit, bulbs and seeds
10. Animals, living or dead (e.g., stuffed animals)
11. Parts and products derived from protected species ( ivory, fur skins, reptile skins etc.)

Moving a car to the UK for personal use is free of duty providing that you have lived outside of the UK and EU for more than a year, a C384 form must be completed. If the customer/shipper is re-importing the car that has been already registered in the UK a C179B form must be completed. The following documents must be submitted:

1. Declare vehicle in ToR1 (Transfer of Residence relief) application.
2. Original invoice of purchase
3. The certificate of ownership of the vehicle
4. Certificate of insurance
5. Invoice of maintenance

If your vehicle is not registered in the EU, you must get your vehicle approved first. Any car that is moved to the UK must meet environmental and safety regulations. In order to do so apply for either Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or Motorcycle Single Vehicle Apploral (MSVA)

Shipping a boat to the UK is quite similar to shipping a car, you also will be required to declare your boat in the ToR1 form with the detailed boat description. The boat could become a subject of quarantine depending on the marine environment of your home country.

When wondering how to move pets to the UK, you need to remember the following pets restrictions and prohibitions:

1. A valid pet passport or a health certificate
2. Proof of rabies vaccination
3. Pet must be microchipped, or tattooed (terms apply)
4. Customs Form C-5
5. Dogs must have a tapeworm treatment
6. Band breed dogs: Pit Bull Terrier and some related dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro.

Note that if you do not comply with these requirements, your pet will have to guarantee for up to 6 months in an authorized facility. All the expenses will be paid by the owner of the pet. Prohibition of the dog depends rather on the way it looks and acts than the breed or name.

When packing home to move to the UK, remember that you might not be able to use your electronic devices due to plug and voltage differences. The UK uses G type plug and is powered by 230v.

If moving from Canada to the UK or from the US to the UK, it is better to sell your electronic appliances and buy new ones in the UK.