The MIB route (Merchandise in Baggage) and its sibling for a small means of transport, MOG (Merchandise in Own Goods), exists so that a small trader with a dozen samples in a suitcase does not have to hire a customs agent and go through a full CDS procedure. It is a real, legal shortcut — but with a hard ceiling. The EasyClearance Team sees clients every week trying to lift that ceiling: they pack a few little bottles of perfume "for testing", throw in a used drone from the warehouse, or carry a work of art to an auction in Mayfair, assuming that "in baggage = invisible". It is visible.
The mechanism works as follows. The gov.uk system with its online declaration form, when you try to enter an HS code from the controlled lists, simply blocks the save — the declaration will not be accepted. If you try to go without a declaration, Border Force on the Red Channel detects the goods in the scanner (every suitcase goes through X-ray screening at Heathrow, Gatwick, Dover, Folkestone) or during physical inspection. That is when the procedure under CEMA 1979 (Customs and Excise Management Act) kicks in — the basis for seizure and penalties. Source: gov.uk/import-goods-outside-eu.
Below we break down the seven categories one by one. Each has its own logic, its own licences, and its own traps.
Excise goods are goods on which the UK imposes an additional consumption tax, Excise Duty, independent of VAT and customs duty. This covers ethyl alcohol above 1.2% ABV, beer, wine, spirits, tobacco products, motor fuels, heating oils, and — from 2025 — certain nicotine e-liquids. Source: HMRC — Excise Duty rates.
Excise Duty requires bookkeeping in the HMDS/CHIEF-Excise system and often a warehouse under supervision (Excise Warehouse). The simplified route has no mechanism for accounting for excise. Even 0.7 l of whisky as a "sample" for a counterparty in Soho is theoretically caught by Spirits Duty (GBP 31.64/l of pure alcohol at the 2025 rate).
Extending MIB to cosmetic samples containing ethanol at high concentration. Perfumes and eaux de toilette with 70–90% ABV ethanol are technically subject to excise, although HMRC exempts them from Excise Duty when they are denatured or declared as cosmetics (HS code 3303). However, if you carry a fragrance concentrate with undenatured 96% alcohol → full declaration + Excise Warehouse. The EasyClearance Team recommends: finished perfumes in factory bottles are OK for MIB; aromas and concentrates always go through CDS.
Dual-use items are goods intended for civilian purposes that can also be used militarily: advanced cryptography, drones with certain configurations, CNC machines with sub-micron tolerance, chemicals on precursor lists, night-vision equipment, signal analysis software. Regulation: UK Strategic Export Control Lists + the Retained Dual-Use Regulation (EU 2021/821, adopted into UK law). Source: UK Strategic Export Control Lists.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) requires an OGEL/SIEL licence before export. Import into the UK from a third country often also requires an End User Undertaking. Without a licence — exporting is an offence under the Export Control Act 2002.
Before travelling, run through the Goods Checker on SPIRE. If the goods qualify as dual-use — apply for a SIEL or OGEL (often an OGEL can be obtained online in 10–14 days). The EasyClearance Team helps with classification and application preparation.
Firearms, air weapons above 12 ft-lbs, combat bows, ammunition, firearm components (barrel, chamber), ballistic knives, tasers, tear gas, self-defence items considered an "offensive weapon" in the UK. Legislation: Firearms Act 1968 + Offensive Weapons Act 2019.
Every firearm unit requires a Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate issued by the police force in the place of use in the UK. Import requires a full CDS declaration and Prior Notice to Border Force at least 7 days before arrival. Ammunition has additional quantity limits.
A Polish hunter travelling to Scotland for a hunt — the solution is an ATA Carnet as "sporting equipment" + Visitor's Permit from the Scottish police. Never MIB. For a commercial client (e.g. a night-vision distributor from Poland at IWA London) — an import licence, CDS declaration, and clearance at a licensed port (Heathrow Terminal Cargo, Tilbury) are required.
Works of art over 50 years old, antiques, manuscripts, numismatic coins, archaeology, ethnographic collections. In the UK this is regulated by the Export Control Act and the procedures of Arts Council England. On the Polish side, this is governed by the Act on the Protection of Monuments — export from PL requires consent from the Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments.
Valuation and authentication must precede export. UK value thresholds for a licence (as of 2026):
| Category | Threshold (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Oil paintings/watercolours >50 years | 180,000 GBP |
| Photographs >50 years | 10,000 GBP |
| Sculpture >50 years | 39,700 GBP |
| Archaeology | no threshold — always a licence |
| Manuscripts, maps >50 years | 39,700 GBP |
A Polish gallery owner carrying an 1890 oil painting worth GBP 25,000 to a Sotheby's auction → formally below the UK threshold (180k), BUT the Polish side requires an export permit from the MKiDN regardless of value, because it is "a work of art over 50 years old". Without that permit — even successful entry into the UK triggers criminal liability in PL.
The Washington Convention (CITES) regulates trade in over 37,000 species of animals and plants — Appendix I (commercial ban), II (permits), III (notifications). The UK implements it through the UK CITES Regulations 2018 + APHA as the licensing body.
A Polish jewellery brand intended to take a collection with mother-of-pearl buttons (Pinctada maxima) and rosewood inserts to a London pop-up. Mother-of-pearl is not CITES, but Dalbergia sissoo is. The EasyClearance Team caught this on the invoice; the client had to apply for a CITES Re-export Permit in Poland (Ministry of Climate, 4–6 weeks), a CITES Import Permit in the UK (APHA, 2–3 weeks), plus full CDS clearance. Shipment value GBP 3,200 — the procedure was still cheaper than a GBP 5,000 fine + seizure.
Medicinal products and medical devices regulated by MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). This covers Rx and OTC medicines, supplements with a declared medicinal effect, Class I–III medical devices, implants, biocidal products.
A commercial importer must hold a Wholesale Dealer's Licence (WDL) and be registered in the MHRA Imports system. Every batch is subject to notification. MIB has no mechanism for linking to a WDL — the declaration will be rejected.
A patient travelling for a procedure in the UK may carry their own supply of medication for a maximum of 3 months + prescription/medical certificate. This is not commercial baggage — it is not subject to the procedure discussed here. However, "I'll take a pack of Kolagen Premium supplement to a client because hers is running out" for 20 clients = a commercial import without a licence.
A Polish company exhibiting at Arab Health London or Medical Expo → medical device samples require: UKCA mark, manufacturer's declaration of conformity, MHRA Medical Device Registration. For medicines: importer's WDL + MHRA Product Licence. The EasyClearance Team works with MHRA consultants — we guide clients from classification through to a CDS declaration under code 40 00 000 with the appropriate CPC.
Source: MHRA — Importing medicines.
POAO = Products of Animal Origin (meat, dairy, eggs, honey, fish products). SPS = Sanitary and Phytosanitary — plants, seeds, fruits, vegetables. After Brexit the UK established a rigorous Border Operating Model with mandatory Border Control Posts (BCP) for every POAO consignment.
From 30 April 2024 a total UK ban came into force on bringing POAO from the EU in personal baggage, even for private consumption. For commercial purposes the rule has been in place since 1 January 2021. The Red Channel is NOT an alternative — every meat/dairy consignment must go through a BCP with a CHED-P document (Common Health Entry Document — Products) notified in IPAFFS at least 24 h in advance. Source: DEFRA/APHA — Importing animal products.
A Polish cold-cut producer attending the London Food Expo cannot take a suitcase of sausage samples. The only option: consolidation into a refrigerated shipment, CHED-P, BCP Dover/Heathrow Animal Reception Centre, veterinary inspection. Cost? GBP 150–400 at the BCP + freight + declaration. For 5 kg of samples that is prohibitive — which is why many Polish cold-cut producers give up on this market altogether.
Low-risk plant products (e.g. dried herbs) have simplified requirements, but most live plants, sowing seeds, and non-debarked wood require a Phytosanitary Certificate from PIORIN (Poland) and a CHED-PP in the UK.
| Category | MIB possible? | Required licence | Authority | Licence lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excise goods | No | Registered Consignee / Excise Warehouse | HMRC | 2–8 weeks |
| Dual-use | No | SIEL or OGEL | ECJU | 10 days – 8 weeks |
| Firearms and ammunition | No | Firearm Certificate + Import Licence | Home Office / Police | 4–12 weeks |
| Cultural property and antiques | No | Arts Council Export + PL MKiDN | ACE / MKiDN | 4–8 weeks |
| CITES | No | CITES Export + Import Permit | APHA / Ministry of Climate | 3–6 weeks |
| Medicines / medical devices | No | WDL + MHRA registration | MHRA | 12–20 weeks |
| POAO / SPS | No | CHED-P/PP + Health Certificate | APHA / DEFRA / PIORIN | 24 h – 2 weeks |
Source: gov.uk — Restricted goods publications and published Border Force case studies.
If all four answers are "no" — the MIB route is open, go back to the main hub: Commercial Goods in Baggage to the UK.
We regularly handle clients with regulated goods, because these are the cases that generate the most stress and cannot be handled on one's own. Our workflow for restricted goods:
The EasyClearance Team does not put clients through the Red Channel with goods for which they do not hold a licence — that is not a saving, that is criminalising your company. It is much cheaper to go through the procedure once, properly, and hold an OGEL/CITES/WDL as a "standing asset" that enables repeat trips.
Seven categories: Excise goods, dual-use, firearms, cultural property, CITES, medicines, POAO/SPS food. Each requires a full CDS declaration and usually an additional licence. Full list: gov.uk/government/publications/restricted-goods.
Standard perfumes in factory bottles with HS code 3303 — yes, usually MIB is fine. Fragrance concentrates with undenatured alcohol >70% ABV or samples of spirits — no, full declaration and Excise Duty.
Seizure of the goods + administrative fine of up to GBP 5,000 per consignment. In serious cases (firearms, CITES, dual-use) — criminal liability of up to 7 years' imprisonment.
Not via MIB. A Firearm Certificate, Polish export permit, full CDS declaration, and Border Force notification at least 7 days in advance are required.
Not as commercial goods. An importer's WDL + MHRA registration is required. Exception: personal supply of medication for a specific patient (up to 3 months) — this is not commercial baggage.
No, if you are the author and the work is <50 years old — usually a normal export. Yes, if the work is >50 years old or its value exceeds the ACE thresholds (painting >GBP 180k, sculpture >GBP 39.7k) — Arts Council England licence.
Since April 2024 — a total ban on POAO in baggage from the EU. Immediate seizure at Dover/Heathrow + GBP 200–1,000 fixed penalty. The only route: BCP with CHED-P and Health Certificate.
It depends on specifications. A standard consumer laptop — no. Telecommunications equipment >56-bit symmetric, drones above the range threshold, radar components, analytical software — yes. Check the Goods Checker on SPIRE.
The simplified MIB/MOG route is a powerful tool for small-scale B2B, but it has seven hard blockers. Excise, dual-use, firearms, cultural property, CITES, medicines, POAO/SPS — each requires a full CDS declaration, often a licence from a dedicated authority, and comes through a different physical gate (Border Control Post instead of Red Channel). An attempt to "push it through" baggage ends in seizure, a fine of up to GBP 5,000, and in serious cases criminal liability. The EasyClearance Team sees cases every month where a client tried to save GBP 80 on clearance and lost GBP 3,000 of goods + got a black-list entry with Border Force. Not worth it.
Before you board the plane with a suitcase of samples, run through our 4-question algorithm above. If any answer is "yes" — write to us, and we will check licences and the route within 24–48 h.