Duty Free and Shopping Allowance

Shopping bag allowance

All airlines flying from London Stansted Airport allow you to take one bag of airport shopping on board along with your hand luggage. There’s now no reason not to take advantage of airport exclusives from your favourite brands or stock up on those last minute holiday essentials. Spotted something you can’t resist? Our Shop Now Collect on Return service means you can buy duty free products before you fly without having to struggle with the extra bags. Simply collect your shopping on your return journey, absolutely free.

Duty free allowance for bringing goods into the UK

Cigarettes - 200

Cigarillos - 100

Cigars - 50

Smoking tobacco - 250g

Alcohol, wine, spirits and other liqueurs

• Beer - 42 litres

• Wine (still) - 18 litres

• Spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 4 litres

• Sparkling wine, fortified wine (for example port, sherry) and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol (not including beer or still wine) - 9 litres

All other goods (perfume, gifts) - £390

Arriving customs procedures

Go to the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare.

If your journey started in a non-EU country and you arrived directly in the UK or arrived via an airport in another EU country where you did not pass through customs controls with ALL your baggage, only go through the Green "nothing to declare" Channel if you are sure that you have no more than the Customs Allowances and no prohibited or restricted goods.

Go to the Red Channel if you have something to declare. You must declare any goods in excess of the allowances shown above.

Customs carry out selective checks to look for the following banned or restricted goods:

• Drugs

• Firearms and ammunition

• Offensive weapons (such as flick-knives)

• Obscene materials

• Indecent and obscene material featuring children

• Items that threaten health and the environment

Any traveller arriving in the UK may still be asked some questions to help protect the UK against the illegal import of these items. HM Customs and Excise needs your help to prevent smuggling.

Flying via the EU

If you're flying via an EU airport to a country outside the EU and you are in possession of a boarding card for your final destination, you can still buy goods at both duty and tax free prices at London Stansted Airport.

Meat and plants

There are strict controls on the import of meat food and plants and the guidelines should be adhered to. If you bring items that are not allowed or exceed the allowances there are penalties. To check allowances please visit www.defra.gov.uk.

At the airport

Airport parking

A range of convenient options, just minutes away from the terminal

Find your space

Escape Lounge

Relax before you fly. Available to all passengers.

Book lounges