Bring it home. Declare it correctly.

Three common destinations

These summaries are starting points for returning residents. Your eligibility, route, age, trip length and the type of goods can change the result. Check the official page before departure.

Destination	General allowance	Check before returning
United States	Generally US$800 for eligible returning residents	Conditions ordinarily include 48 hours abroad and no use of the exemption in the previous 30 days. Declare your purchases.
Great Britain	£390 for other goods; £270 by private plane or boat	Exceeding the allowance means tax and duty on the total value, not just the excess. Northern Ireland has separate rules.
Australia	AUD900 for adults; AUD450 for children	Eligible families traveling together can pool allowances. Exceeding the allowance makes all general goods assessable.

Keep a simple purchase record

Save itemized receipts showing what you bought and what you paid.
Add purchases across the trip; do not treat each shop as a separate allowance.
Check separate limits for alcohol, tobacco and restricted goods.
Declare purchases and food or plant products as required. When unsure, ask customs.

Tea, food and plants need an extra check

For the United States, tea made solely from Camellia sinensis leaves is generally permitted but must be declared. Herbal blends may contain restricted ingredients. Other countries have their own biosecurity rules. Keep ingredient labels and original packaging.

Do not split or disguise purchases to avoid declaration. A shopping trip is easier when you know the actual landed cost before you pay.

These examples do not cover every nationality, destination or exceptional circumstance. Use the official destination sources below for your trip.

Sources & further reading

Reviewed 16 September 2026. Store availability and conditions can change.