Yes, silver can be carried across the UK-EU border, but as goods: in commercial trade it needs a customs declaration with the correct HS code and settlement of duty and VAT. The declaration duty from EUR 10,000 / £10,000 applies to cash, not to silver.
Contents
In brief
- ✓ Silver is not a prohibited good, but in commercial trade it needs a customs declaration.
- ✓ Unwrought silver and semi-manufactures fall under heading 7106; jewellery and articles have other codes.
- ✓ The duty to declare EUR 10,000 (EU) or £10,000 (GB) applies to cash; among goods treated as cash in the EU only gold is listed.
- ✓ The VAT exemption for investment gold does not cover silver.
Do you have to declare silver like cash?
In the EU the duty to declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more covers cash, bearer-negotiable instruments, prepaid cards and commodities used as highly liquid stores of value. Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 lists only gold among those commodities (coins with a gold content of at least 90% and bars, nuggets or lumps with a gold content of at least 99.5%), not silver (EUR-Lex). Coins in circulation as a means of payment are, however, cash.
In Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) GOV.UK requires you to declare cash of £10,000 or more: notes and coins, bearer bonds and travellers' cheques; gold coins, bullion and nuggets are listed only for Northern Ireland (GOV.UK). This does not remove the need for a customs declaration for silver as goods.
Silver as goods: HS code, duty and VAT
Unwrought silver, silver powder and semi-manufactured silver fall under HS heading 7106; jewellery, silverware and coins have other codes, so check the classification for the specific goods (HS codes, how to find the commodity code). In the UK the duty rate on silver of heading 7106 (unwrought, powder, semi-manufactured) is 0% and VAT is 20% (UK Trade Tariff). Check the EU rate in TARIC.
VAT: in Poland the import of silver is subject to the standard 23% rate, because the VAT exemption applies only to investment gold (Articles 121-122 of the VAT Act). The base is the customs value plus duty (Article 30b).
Carrying in luggage versus a commercial consignment
- Personal luggage. Personal items and non-commercial goods within the travel allowances need no declaration, but GOV.UK states that there are no allowances for goods brought in to sell or use in a business - those goods must always be declared (GOV.UK).
- Commercial consignment UK to EU. The seller lodges the export in the UK (CDS), and the importer or its agent lodges the import in the EU (PUESC) with the code, value and documents (importing from the UK to Poland).
- Commercial consignment EU to UK. The exporter lodges an EU export declaration, the UK importer an import declaration in CDS, and the carrier submits safety and security data (how exporting works, UK customs declaration).
Hallmarks and jewellery
Silver articles (jewellery, cutlery, household items) are subject to hallmarking rules: the Hallmarking Act 1973 in the UK and the assay law in Poland. The rules on recognising marks and the weight thresholds differ, so before selling articles check the requirements with the assay office. This concerns sale, not simply carrying personal belongings.
What to prepare
For a commercial consignment: an invoice describing the goods, their weight and fineness (invoice mistakes), a transport document and the EORI numbers of the parties. Also check whether the goods are subject to restrictions or sanctions (restricted goods). Keep customs documents for at least 3 years in the EU and 4 years for declarations to HMRC. In doubt? Contact us; our costs are explained in how much UK customs clearance costs.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 on cash controls, Articles 2-3 and Annex I
- GOV.UK: Take cash in and out of the UK
- UK Trade Tariff: HS 7106 91
- Polish VAT Act (Dz.U. 2026 item 1263), Articles 30b, 121-122
Disclaimer: general information only; check current GOV.UK or KAS guidance before moving goods.
Frequently asked questions
Can you legally carry silver across the border between the United Kingdom and the European Union?
Yes, silver is not a prohibited good. In commercial trade it needs correct classification (HS code), a declared customs value and a customs declaration, while in personal luggage the usual rules for non-commercial goods apply.
Do I have to declare silver at the border like cash of EUR 10,000 or more?
The declaration duty applies to cash, and among goods treated as cash Regulation 2018/1672 lists only gold in the EU, not silver. Coins in circulation as a means of payment are cash. A customs declaration for silver as commercial goods is still required.
What HS code should be used to declare silver at customs?
Unwrought silver, silver powder and semi-manufactured silver are classified under heading 7106; jewellery and articles have other codes. Check the exact code in the UK Trade Tariff or TARIC.
Do I pay duty and VAT on silver?
In the UK, silver of heading 7106 has a 0% duty rate and 20% VAT (UK Trade Tariff). In Poland imported silver bears 23% VAT, because the exemption covers only investment gold; check the EU duty rate in TARIC.
Can I bring silver to sell in my luggage without declaring it?
No. GOV.UK states there are no travel allowances for goods brought in to sell or use in a business, and all commercial goods must be declared. Use a customs declaration with an invoice and the HS code.
Related guides
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