Overseas Students – a guide to bringing your property into the UK

This information is for students arriving from outside the EU

  • As a student coming to the UK you are allowed to bring certain items with you for use during your stay.
  • These can be carried with you when you arrive or sent before or after your arrival.
  • Normally someone coming into the country may be liable to taxes on goods they bring in however there are reliefs available for students and their personal possessions. By following these rules you may avoid paying these taxes.
  • Some goods are not allowed into the UK under any circumstances. For details on the restricted or banned goods please read Notice 1-A Customs guide for travellers entering the UK. Prohibited goods include unlicensed drugs, offensive weapons, indecent and obscene material featuring children, pornographic material, counterfeit and pirated goods, meat, milk and other animal products.
  • If bringing in pets or firearms, or your items are valued over 4,000 Euro please read Notice 3 Bringing your belongings & private motor vehicle to the UK from outside the EC

For visits under two years

A procedure called Temporary Importation relief allows you to bring certain goods into the EC for personal use whilst you are here and then take them home without having to pay any taxes.
The following conditions must be met:

  • You are normally resident outside the EC.
  • The items will leave the EC when you leave and within 24 months.
  • The items are of a personal nature reasonably required for your journey - this does not include any items you intend to sell or trade.

If bringing pets, firearms or items that are more than 4,000 Euro in value you should approach an officer in the red channel on arrival and let him know. Otherwise you will only need to tell an officer you are using temporary importation relief if he approaches you.

If you are posting the items you should clearly write on your package the words 'Temporary Importation Notice 200 – personal effects'. Tell any courier service / parcel operator you use that you are claiming Temporary Importation relief for personal effects. If this is not done duty may be payable.

For visits of over three years duration

On arrival tell the officer the reason for your stay in the UK, the length of time you intend to stay and the goods that you have with you. The officer may then look through your luggage and ask you some questions.

For goods sent before or after your arrival please complete Form C3 - Bringing personal belongings to the UK from outside the EC

Completing Form C3

This form is designed for a number of possibilities so many of the answers may not be relevant to you - answer 'no' if this is the case. Please ensure you complete all the sections. Give the form to the company responsible for carrying the goods. (It is a good idea for you to keep a copy of the form and any lists attached.)

When the goods arrive in the UK, the company carrying the goods will need the form to get your items through customs controls.

A new form will be needed each time you bring something into the UK from outside the EC.

Glossary

EC – European Community, the ‘fiscal’ term for the EU (European Union) of 27 Member States.
Goods – your personal effects, the items within your luggage that you intend to keep with you during your stay in the UK.

Further information

Notice 3 Bringing your belongings & private motor vehicle to the UK from outside the EC
Notice 200 Temporary Importation