Understanding what you cannot take with you is one of the most practical — and frequently overlooked — aspects of planning an international removal. Shipping prohibited or restricted items across borders can result in customs seizure, fines, criminal liability and significant delays to your move. This guide covers every major category of prohibited, restricted and declaration-required items for UK nationals moving to EU countries and beyond.
Absolute Prohibitions: Items That Cannot Be Shipped at All
These items cannot be transported across any international border within a household removal, regardless of quantity or circumstances.
Weapons and firearms — firearms, rifles, shotguns, handguns and component parts require individual export licences and are never handled within standard removal services. Ammunition is prohibited entirely. Air rifles, BB guns and replica firearms are subject to separate regulation by country.
Explosives and flammable materials — gunpowder, fireworks, flares, blasting caps and similar pyrotechnics are prohibited. This includes novelty fireworks, camping gas canisters (unless completely empty with valves removed) and aerosols containing flammable propellants.
Controlled drugs — all Class A, B and C drugs (UK classification) are prohibited. Even legal prescription medications may require documentation (see restricted items below).
Counterfeit goods — counterfeit branded items, pirated software and unlicensed reproductions of copyrighted material are seized at all borders.
Hazardous chemicals — certain laboratory chemicals, pesticides banned within the EU, asbestos-containing materials and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are prohibited from cross-border transport in household goods.
Restricted Items: Permitted With Conditions
Restricted items can be transported — but only with the correct documentation, declarations or approvals. Attempting to transport them without compliance results in seizure or refusal at the border.
Food and Agricultural Products
Post-Brexit, the UK is no longer subject to EU single market rules on plant and animal products.
What is prohibited UK → EU:
- Meat and meat products from non-EU countries (including UK origin) — prohibited without veterinary health certificate
- Dairy products (butter, cheese, milk) in quantities above personal allowances
- Fresh fruit and vegetables from UK origin — subject to phytosanitary checks
- Honey and bee products in commercial quantities
- Soil or growing media (compost, peat) — requires phytosanitary documentation
What is generally permitted:
- Commercially packaged non-perishable food items (tinned goods, dried pasta, rice) for personal use
- Commercially manufactured confectionery and chocolates
- Tea, coffee, spices in reasonable personal quantities
Practical advice: Do not pack food items in your removal shipment without first confirming the rules with your removal company. Food discovered at customs inspection can cause delays to the entire shipment.
Plants and Plant Material
Living plants, cuttings, bulbs, seeds and soil are subject to phytosanitary regulations when moving from the UK to the EU. Requirements include:
- Phytosanitary certificate from APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) — required for most living plant material
- Some species are prohibited entirely under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), including certain orchids, cacti and tree ferns
- Wooden items (pallets, furniture made from unprocessed wood) may require ISPM-15 treatment to prevent timber pest transmission
For most household moves, the practical solution is to leave plants behind or rehome them rather than navigate the phytosanitary certification process.
Animals and Pets
Pets are not transported within removal vehicles — they require separate travel arrangements. Key requirements for UK → EU:
- EU Pet Passport or AHC (Animal Health Certificate) — UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel from UK to EU. An Animal Health Certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) is required for each animal, no more than 10 days before travel
- Microchipping — mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets
- Rabies vaccination — must be current and documented
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) — required within 1–5 days of entry for dogs entering some EU countries
- Country-specific breed restrictions — certain dog breeds (typically pit bull types, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and others) are banned outright in several EU countries including Germany, France and the Netherlands
Consult your vet and the destination country’s embassy at least 12 weeks before your move.
Prescription Medications
Carrying more than 3 months’ supply of prescription medication across EU borders is generally subject to documentation requirements:
- Carry a doctor’s letter in English (and ideally translated) detailing your condition, medications, dosages and travel dates
- Some medications (particularly opioids, strong benzodiazepines, certain stimulants) require a Schengen Certificate or country-specific import permit even for personal use
- Certain medications legally prescribed in the UK are controlled or banned in specific EU countries — verify with the destination country’s embassy
Never pack prescription medications in your removal shipment. Always carry them in hand luggage with supporting documentation.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Post-Brexit, UK nationals are no longer entitled to EU duty-free or single market allowances on alcohol and tobacco.
UK → EU personal allowances (guidance figures):
- Spirits over 22% ABV: 1 litre
- Wine: 4 litres
- Beer: 16 litres
- Cigarettes: 200
- Cigars: 50
Quantities above these thresholds are subject to EU import duties and VAT unless you can demonstrate they form part of a genuine household removal (Transfer of Residence relief).
For full household removals: Large personal collections of wine, spirits or beer can qualify under Transfer of Residence relief if they represent a genuine household’s personal consumption stock. Proper declaration and inventory is essential — undisclosed quantities discovered at customs are subject to duties and potential penalties.
Cultural Property and Antiques
Works of art, antiques (items over 100 years old), archaeological objects and cultural property are subject to specific EU import regulations:
- EU Cultural Property Regulation (2019/880) requires documentation for certain categories of cultural property entering the EU
- Items originating from conflict zones require proof of lawful ownership/export
- High-value antiques may require appraisal documentation and specific customs declarations
Country-Specific Restrictions
Germany
- Weapons: Very strict. Certain replica weapons, crossbows and some knives are prohibited or require registration
- Propaganda materials: Nazi or far-right propaganda material is illegal in Germany regardless of whether it is antique or collectible
- Adult content: Certain categories of adult material are prohibited
France
- Wine and spirits: France permits larger personal allowances within ToR relief but commercial quantities require separate declaration
- Hunting equipment: Specific import requirements for rifles, shotguns and associated equipment
Netherlands
- Drugs: Despite domestic policy on cannabis, importing cannabis products across the border is illegal and items will be seized
- Knives: Certain knife categories are restricted; automatic knives are prohibited
Poland
- Weapons replicas and airsoft guns: Require registration and documentation
- Plant material: Phytosanitary rules apply as with all EU countries
Switzerland (non-EU)
Switzerland has its own customs regime entirely separate from the EU. Additional Swiss-specific restrictions include:
- Meat and dairy: Very strict import controls; most meat products are prohibited
- Plants: Phytosanitary certificates required
- Animal products: Strict veterinary inspection
- Firearms: Swiss firearms law is different from EU; specific import permits required
What Removal Companies Will Not Transport
Beyond legal prohibitions, reputable removal companies — including Easy Move — will not transport certain items regardless of their legal status, due to insurance and safety reasons:
- Compressed gas cylinders (aerosols, gas canisters, SCUBA tanks)
- Flammable liquids (petrol, lighter fuel, paint thinners, solvents)
- Corrosive materials (strong acids, drain cleaners in concentrated form)
- Biological materials
- Irreplaceable valuables (jewellery, cash, passports, original documents) — these should be carried personally
- Lithium batteries in excess of normal household quantities
- Propane or butane barbecue canisters (unless completely empty with valves removed)
- Live ammunition or any weapons components
Practical Pre-Move Checklist
6 weeks before your move:
- Walk through every room and identify items in any of the categories above
- Check plant and food stocks — plan to consume or dispose of non-transportable items
- Contact your vet regarding pet travel documentation requirements if applicable
- Verify prescription medication documentation needs
3 weeks before:
- Declare any high-value, antique or restricted items to your removal company
- Obtain required certificates (phytosanitary, vet certificates) where needed
- Prepare a detailed inventory of everything being transported — customs documentation depends on accuracy
Moving day:
- Do not pack personal medications, passports or valuables in the removal vehicle
- Confirm your inventory matches what is actually being transported
For a full overview of customs documentation requirements: customs clearance UK to EU guide.
Frequently Asked Questions: What Cannot Be Transported Across Borders
Can I take my houseplants when moving from the UK to Europe?
Living plants travelling from the UK to EU countries require a phytosanitary certificate from APHA. Some species protected under CITES cannot be exported at all. In practice, most people find it easier to rehome their plants and purchase new ones after arrival rather than navigate the certification process.
Can I ship wine and whisky in my removal from UK to Europe?
Yes, within Transfer of Residence relief limits for personal consumption. A reasonable household wine cellar or spirit collection can qualify under ToR relief with proper declaration and inventory. Commercial quantities would be subject to EU import duties. Declare all alcohol on your customs inventory accurately.
What happens if prohibited items are found in my shipment at customs?
Prohibited items will be seized. Depending on the category, this can result in customs fines, the entire shipment being held pending inspection (which can take days or weeks), or — for serious items — criminal investigation. The cost of a delay plus storage fees typically far exceeds whatever you hoped to save by packing a prohibited item.
Can I take my dog or cat in the removal vehicle?
No. Pets must travel separately under EU pet travel rules with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Dogs also require up-to-date rabies vaccination and, when entering some countries, a tapeworm treatment documented by a vet 1–5 days before entry.
Are there items I should carry personally rather than ship?
Yes. Always carry: passports and identity documents, original certificates (birth, marriage, educational), prescription medications (with supporting documentation), jewellery and high-value small items, irreplaceable photographs, cash and financial instruments. These items should never travel in a removal vehicle.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.