Can I send electronics to the United Kingdom?
Yes, with conditions.
Personal laptops, phones, and household electronics are fine, with batteries installed in the device. Couriers refuse loose lithium batteries and power banks.
For every Onvoyo box: Devices are fine with the battery installed and switched off. Loose lithium batteries and power banks can't go by air.
Before you ship to the United Kingdom
- Tax-free limit
- Gifts from one individual to another worth £39 (about $53) or less pay no VAT or duty, unless they are alcohol or tobacco, which always pay excise duty. There is no general tax-free limit: other goods, including your own used things sent without Transfer of Residence relief, pay VAT from the first pound. Customs duty is not charged on goods worth £135 (about $183) or less in total, except alcohol and tobacco, which pay duty at any value. The government plans to remove this £135 duty relief on a date still to be set, by October 2028 at the latest.
- Receiver ID
- No UK tax number is needed for a personal shipment. If you claim Transfer of Residence relief, the courier needs your ToR unique reference number for the declaration. Without a valid one, you may be billed for import duties and administration charges.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days from Europe; 2-4 from North America; 3-6 from Asia
Questions
Can I send electronics to the United Kingdom?
Yes, with conditions. Personal laptops, phones, and household electronics are fine, with batteries installed in the device. Couriers refuse loose lithium batteries and power banks.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
HM Revenue & Customs
Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad (opens in a new tab) - 2.
HM Revenue & Customs
VAT rates (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Animal and Plant Health Agency, and Border Force
Bringing food into Great Britain (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Force, and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Bringing plants and wood into Great Britain (opens in a new tab) - 5.
- 6.
Border Force and HM Revenue & Customs
Bringing goods into the UK for personal use (opens in a new tab) - 7.
HM Revenue & Customs
Transfer of residence to the UK (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the United Kingdom makes the final decision on every box.