Prohibited items
Handoff items are inspected unsealed at handoff, and travelers agree not to carry prohibited items. Keep everyone safe and legal.
- Drugs & narcotics
- Prescription & controlled medicines
- Weapons, ammunition & replicas
- Counterfeit goods
- Letters, mail & correspondence
Lab results, a passport, a diploma, a contract, any printout — all fine. What can't be carried is a letter written to the recipient.
- Explosives & fireworks
- Flammable liquids & gases
- Loose lithium batteries
- Fresh & homemade food
- Meat & dairy, including sealed and canned
- Live animals & plants
Sealed and canned don't help: the EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however it's packaged, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it's wrapped — coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine.
- Shells, coral & starfish
- Ivory, bone, hide & exotic leather
Sold openly to tourists and still not carryable. Shells and coral need export permits almost everywhere they're collected, and giant clam shells are banned outright.
- Alcohol & tobacco
- Snus & nicotine pouches
Duty-free allowances only cover what you bring for yourself. Carrying these for someone else falls outside them — Finland bans bringing in snus or nicotine pouches for another person at all.
- Cash, cheques & gift cards
- Jewellery & precious metals
- Drones
- Vaping devices
Anything in a sealed or opaque package — items are inspected unsealed at handoff.
Entering Finland or anywhere else in the EU from outside it. Meat and dairy are never allowed, in any amount — these are the exceptions to that, not softenings of it.
Japan bans several common cold and allergy medicines outright, including anything with pseudoephedrine — a foreign prescription does not change this.
Japan limits how much cosmetics and toiletries one person may bring; larger amounts need an import certificate.
Malaysia requires registration for medicines brought in for another person, and controls several common painkillers and cold remedies.
Malaysia applies the death penalty for drug trafficking, and controls e-cigarettes, alcohol and pork products. Items on a Malaysian route must also weigh more than 2 kg each.
Singapore controls many medicines sold over the counter elsewhere, and some need an import permit even in small amounts. A foreign prescription does not change this.
Singapore bans e-cigarettes and vaping products completely - bringing one in is an offence even for your own use. Chewing gum is also restricted. Drug offences carry the death penalty.
Taiwan fines travellers NT$200,000 (about EUR 5,600) for bringing in any pork product from a region with African swine fever, and the Philippines is one. This catches pork floss, longganisa, dried sausage, pork-filled mooncakes and even the seasoning sachet in instant noodles. The fine is charged at the border and applies on a first offence.
Food inside a gift still counts in Taiwan: any pork product from the Philippines triggers a NT$200,000 fine at the border, however it is packaged. Meat and fresh produce are refused.
The UAE controls many medicines that are sold over the counter elsewhere, including codeine, tramadol and CBD. Carrying them can mean arrest.
UAE customs restricts more than most countries — including some publications and e-cigarettes. Check before you pack.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Hong Kong limits powdered infant formula to two tins (1.8 kg) per person leaving the territory, and it is an offence to exceed it. Meat, poultry and eggs need an import licence.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Philippine law bans bringing in used clothing to SELL (RA 4653) - not second-hand clothes themselves. Clothes for family, including flea-market finds, are fine. What matters is the amount and that they are not for resale: a few bags is normal, a bulk lot looks like trade and can be seized.
Philippine customs may charge duty on electronics that look new or are in retail packaging. Keep the receipt.
The Philippines limits how much medicine one person may bring in, and asks for a letter from the prescribing doctor. Carrying medicine for someone else is not personal use.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Korea limits medicines to a personal supply and refuses several common painkillers and cold remedies. Carrying them for someone else falls outside the allowance.
Korea refuses meat, and most fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts, at the border. Processed food needs to be declared, and undeclared items carry a fine.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
Food inside a gift still counts: no meat or dairy from outside the EU, however well sealed. Shells and coral need export permits and are usually refused.
Medicines may be brought into the EU for your own personal use only. Carrying them for someone else falls outside that allowance.
The EU refuses meat and dairy brought in from outside it however they are packaged - canned, cured and vacuum-sealed included, down to a tin of corned beef. What matters is whether it contains meat or dairy, not how it is wrapped: coffee, dried mango, nuts and dried fish are fine, and so are biscuits, cakes and chocolate - a little milk or egg baked into them does not count.
US rules on food are strict — meat, and many fresh or home-prepared items, are refused at the border even when sealed.