Can I send medicine to the United Kingdom?
Yes, with conditions.
Medicines containing controlled drugs can't be posted to the UK, even with a prescription. For other medicines, check the import rules with the MHRA before sending.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
More rules for the United Kingdom
Not allowed
- Controlled drugs, including prescription medicines that contain them (they can't be posted to the UK)
Allowed with conditions
- Medicines
- Medicines containing controlled drugs can't be posted to the UK, even with a prescription, and will be seized. For other medicines, check the import rules with the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) before sending.
- Endangered species (CITES)
- Exotic leather goods, furs, some wooden musical instruments, tourist curios, caviar, some medicines and beauty products, and plants such as some orchids, succulents, and cycads may need a CITES permit. Border Force can seize them without one.
Quantity limits
- Medicines with controlled drugs (travelers only)
- Up to a 3-month supply, lawfully prescribed and carried on your person, ideally with a letter from your doctor. These medicines can't be posted to the UK.
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 medicine to the United Kingdom?
Yes, with conditions. Medicines containing controlled drugs can't be posted to the UK, even with a prescription. For other medicines, check the import rules with the MHRA before sending.
Can I send medicine to the UK?
Not if it contains a controlled drug. Those medicines can't be posted to the UK, even with a prescription, and will be seized; travelers may carry up to a 3-month supply instead. For other medicines, check the import rules with the MHRA before you ship.
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) - 8.
- 9.
HM Revenue & Customs (UK Integrated Online Tariff)
September 2026 HMRC currency exchange monthly rates (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the United Kingdom makes the final decision on every box.