Essential Information - Customs & Visas

Customs

Like other nations belonging to the EU, the UK has a two-tier customs system: one for goods bought duty free and one for goods bought in another EU country where taxes and duties have already been paid.

Duty-free:

Duty-free sales to those travelling from one EU country to another were abolished in July 1999. For goods purchased at airports or on ferries outside the EU, you are allowed to import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2L of still wine plus 1L of spirits over 22% or another 2L of wine (sparkling or otherwise); 50g of perfume, 250cc of eau de toilette; and other duty-free goods to the value of £145.

Tax and Duty Paid:

Although you can no longer bring in duty free goods from another EU country, you can bring in duty-paid goods that cost less than you'd pay for the same items in your destination country. The items are supposed to be for individual consumption but a thriving business has developed, with many Londoners making day trips to France to load up their cars with cheap alcohol and cigarettes.

If you purchase from a normal retail outlet on the continent, customs uses the following maximum quantities as a guide to distinguish personal imports from those on a commercial scale: 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco, 10L of spirits, 20L of fortified wine, 90L of wine (of which not more than 60L is sparkling) and 110L of beer.

Visas

At present, citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA are given, at their point of arrival, 'leave to enter' the UK for up to six months but are prohibited from working unless they secure a work permit. If you're a citizen of the EU, you don't need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely for as long as you like. Visa regulations are always subject to change, so it's essential to check with your local British embassy, high commission or consulate before leaving home. Immigration authorities in the UK are tough - dress neatly and be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. A credit card and/or an onward ticket will help.

Visa Extensions:

Tourist visas can only be extended in clear emergencies (e.g. an accident, death of a relative). To extend your stay in the UK, ring the Visa & Passport Information Line (Tel: +44 (0)870 606 7766 or +44 (0)20 8649 7878; the Home Office's Immigration & Nationality Directorate, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR9 2BY; rail East Croydon; 1000-noon and 1400-1600 Mon-Fri) before your current visa expires.

Student Visas:

Nationals of EU countries can enter the country to study without formalities. Otherwise you need to be enrolled in a full-time course of at least 15 hours per week of weekday, daytime study at a single educational institution to be allowed to remain as a student. For more details, consult the British embassy, high commission or consulate in your own country.