Nothing! We seriously can't bring anything to UK anymore.

It is getting near to June again. This means everyone is getting ready to purchase every possible stuffs (i.e. foods) to be brought to the UK. Therefore, I think this post is fairly important as a reminder for people who plan to pay a visit to the UK especially for people who plan to (1) visit for the purpose of their son / daughter's convocation, or (2) for holiday purpose. I will leave this post on for few days so people who plan to travel to the UK may read. On the other hand, anyone who has not exchange their currency (GBP), please do so before it is too late. I am expecting the currency rate to increase up till GBP 1.00 = RM 6.00 in July.


Caption: black and medium-sized hairpin


Caption: safety pin (medium-sized)

You may feel a little surprise of why are those two materials (black hairpin and safety pin) posted in this post. In fact, this is a reminder for people who plan to visit their son/daughter/friends who are graduating. Due to the differences in size for the graduation hood (which I have observed different graduates having the same problem every year by year), I strongly recommend you to bring some black hairpin (for the hood) and safety pin along (for the gown). The hairpin need to be black in colour, to match the colour of the hood. They can be handy during the graduation ceremony :D

Please also make sure to keep them in your big lugguage (NOT in hand luggage). The reason for not keeping in your hand luggage is that sharp objects are strictly prohibited.


Caption: Home office in UK

The home office in the UK (website address: HERE) has been very strict on foods to be brought into the UK since December 2008. They strongly believe that certain foods may carry different disease which could devastate their environment and agricultural. Therefore, please ensure to NOT bring any prohibitted foods into the UK. The home office in the UK strongly stress on their slogan: "Do not break the law, check the rules before you travel".


Caption: foods the home office stresses at

I am making this post relatively simple to understand by splitting information into different paragraphs.

According to the home office in the UK, any people travelling from / within the European countries may bring any foods into the UK, as long as the food is free from disease (you need some proof for that I assume). This rules apply to sending / receiving your items through postal. However, if you are travelling OUTSIDE the European countries, then DO NOT bring any prohibited foods stating in the below. The reason is that the immigration officers in the UK will take these away and destroy them and no further action will be taken. If you are bringing more than you are allowed, they will seize the whole amount. They included: "Bringing in goods that are banned is illegal, and there are heavy penalties for smuggling. If you fail to declare any items that are not permitted, you could face severe delays, and prosecution".

European countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (including Madeira), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. The home office accept these countries as a part of the EU (Andorra, Canary Islands, The Channel Islands, The Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland). Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community customs territory so is therefore treated as a NON-EU country. The home office in UK include this statement: "Though the whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, goods from any
area of Cyprus not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are treated as non–European imports".

-------------------------

Meat products: any fresh, cooked or dried meat such as beef, lamb, pork or chicken and such products as patties, curries, ham, biltong, pot noodles which contain meat, meatballs, meat pickles, cured or cooked sausage, pate and meat paste. Live snails, dead snails still in their shells and water snails are also
not permitted.

Dairy products: fresh, dried or concentrated milk, cream, butter, ghee, mithai, cheese and products containing fresh cream. Maggie mee and 3 in 1 drinks (i.e. milo, nescafe, ovaltene etc.) are strongly RESTRICTED.

Fish Products: fresh, dried, cooked, cured and smoked fish and fish products, such as canned tuna, fish sauces, prawns, shrimps, squid, lobster, crab and crayfish.

Bivalve products: oysters (including oyster sauce) mussels, clams, cockles, scallops, whelks and winkles.

Egg products: omelette, mayonnaise and dried eggs.

-------------------------


Caption: No prohibition of foods to people who travel from the European countries

1. Travelling from the European countries
1. There are no restrictions on meat and dairy products.

2. There are no restriction on animal products (i.e. fish, bivalves such as oyster, mussels and clams), honey and egg.

-------------------------

2. Travelling from other countries (besides European countries)
1. If you are travelling from other countries than Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland (you are allowed a combined weight of up to 10kg per person), then you should NOT bring any meat and dairy products into the UK.

a. If you travel from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland
1. You are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person.

2. You are allowed up to 20kg combined weight per person of fish and fish products (including dead bivalves) or the weight of one fish whichever weight is highest (except caviar of sturgeon species where you are only allowed 125gms per person).
Fish can be dried, cooked, cured, smoked or fresh but fresh fish is only allowed if it is gutted.

3. If you are travelling from the Faroe Islands or Iceland, there is no weight restriction per person.

4. You are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person of other animal products.

5. you are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person of special foods of powdered infant milk, infant food, pet foods and special foods required for medical reasons provided that:
a. The product does not require refrigeration before consumption.
b. It is a product in commercially branded packaging.
c. The packaging is unbroken unless in current use.

-------------------------


Caption: restricted foods to be brought into the UK (other countries)

b. If you travel from other countries (i.e. Malaysia, China etc.)
1. You are not allowed to bring in any meat or dairy products to the UK.

2. You may bring in a limited quantity of other animal products, such as fish, bivalves, honey and eggs.

3. You are allowed up to 2kg combined weight per person of other animal products (ie other than meat, dairy and fish products) such as honey, eggs and egg products, snail meat and live bivalves.

4. You are allowed up to 2kg combined weight per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons provided that:
a. The product does not require refrigeration before consumption.
b. It is a product in commercially branded packaging.
c. The packaging is unbroken unless in current use.

5. You are also allowed up to 2kg of pet food made from animal products required for medical reasons subject to the same conditions above.

6. You are restricted on bringing fruits, vegetables, seeds and bulbs into the UK. Some plants, soil and other plant products (including potatoes) may not be brought to the UK unless you have obtained the relevant official certificate or licence.

-------------------------

There are other items, such as alcohol, tobacco and perfume which are restricted if you are travelling from certain countries, and some items, such as unlicensed drugs and weapons, which are banned completely.