Holidaymakers warned 'harmless' buys could get you arrested at customs

Holidaymakers are being warned that seemingly innocent holiday purchases could result in serious complications at customs and in some cases lead to arrest. The summer season is popular with people across the UK for getaways, and picking up mementoes to take home is part of the experience. However, certain goods from overseas are subject to stringent UK customs regulations and could see travellers facing difficulties.

Asad Mirza, a director, has offered advice on which products might attract Border Force attention. "Many travellers assume that if an item is legal to buy abroad it's automatically legal to bring back into the UK. Unfortunately that's not always the case. Every year people are caught out by customs regulations because they simply weren't aware of the rules. What seems like a harmless souvenir can quickly become an expensive mistake," he explained.

Counterfeit luxury items pose a particular risk. While a knock-off Gucci or Fendi handbag might appear to be an innocent bargain, counterfeit goods can be confiscated by UK Border Force. "Everyone loves finding what looks like a bargain on holiday especially when it's a designer brand at a fraction of the usual price. The problem is that if it's counterfeit Border Force can seize it when you get back to the UK. A lot of travellers don't realise that buying a fake handbag, watch or pair of sunglasses abroad could mean losing the item altogether as well as the money they spent on it," Asad said.

Wildlife items including seashells, corals and products made from endangered species fall under international conservation legislation. "A lot of people pick up things like coral jewellery or decorative shells while they're on holiday and don't think twice about packing them in their suitcase. For example someone visiting destinations like Egypt or the Maldives might be tempted to bring home coral as a souvenir but some wildlife products are protected and can't be brought into the UK without the correct paperwork. If you don't have the necessary permits there's a good chance the item could be confiscated at the border," Asad said.

Pepper spray purchased abroad could lead to arrest, as possession is illegal in the UK. Although legal in the USA and parts of eastern Europe, "Some travellers buy pepper spray while they're abroad because they like the idea of having an extra layer of personal safety particularly if they're travelling alone or exploring unfamiliar places. The problem is that people often forget it's still in their bag," Asad said.