Quick answer
Often only with a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. Into Great Britain from outside the EU, most fruit and vegetables need one, apart from items such as bananas, citrus, mangoes and dates; plants for planting need one from anywhere. The United States asks you to declare all plants, seeds and soil, and soil needs a permit.
Source: GOV.UK: fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, checked 7 Nov 2026
Into Great Britain from the EU
Fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds: allowed for personal use
Certificate needed: plants for planting (inspected if over 2 kg), ware potatoes, and seeds of potato, tomato, chilli, sunflower, onion, beans, peas and others
Source: GOV.UK, checked 7 Nov 2026
Into Great Britain from outside the EU
Certificate needed: most fruit and vegetables, all plants for planting, cut flowers and natural wood
No certificate: pineapple, kiwi, coconut, mango, banana, passion fruit, guava, citrus, dates, curry leaves, packaged plant products, peeled nuts, rice
Source: GOV.UK, checked 7 Nov 2026
Into the United States
Declare: all plants, seeds, fruit, vegetables and soil
Plants and seeds for growing: need a phytosanitary certificate in advance
Soil: not allowed without a USDA permit; small amounts of pure sand usually allowed
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, checked 7 Nov 2026
What do other countries say about plants and seeds?
| Country | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Declare all food, plants, animals incl. pets; penalties up to CAD 1,300 | cbsa-asfc.gc.ca checked 5 Nov 2026 |
| Fiji | Declare all food, plants, animal products, used equipment to Biosecurity Authority; spot fine FJD 400 | frcs.org.fj checked 5 Nov 2026 |
| Grenada | Fruit & vegetables listed as prohibited | gaa.gd checked 6 Nov 2026 |
| India | Live animals/birds incl. pets restricted; plants, fruits, seeds restricted; wildlife products prohibited | cbic.gov.in checked 5 Nov 2026 |
| Lesotho | Plant and animal products restricted/prohibited (pulses, dairy, livestock, eggs, wool, hides listed) | rsl.org.ls checked 6 Nov 2026 |
| Lithuania | Ag products and feed from Russia/Belarus banned since 3 Jun 2024; potatoes prohibited; up to 5 kg fruit & veg for private use | muitine.lrv.lt checked 6 Nov 2026 |
| Malaysia | Food exempt up to RM150 total; plants not stated on page | customs.gov.my checked 5 Nov 2026 |
| Sri Lanka | Fresh fruit (apples, grapes, mangoes, peaches, kiwi) banned and destroyed; plants need Plant Quarantine permit, plus phytosanitary cert; animals need Animal Quarantine approval | customs.gov.lk checked 5 Nov 2026 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Food (meat, fruit, vegetables) must be declared on Form C15 | tntairports.com checked 6 Nov 2026 |
| United Kingdom | Meat and dairy from most non-EU countries banned; plant products restricted; CITES permits | gov.uk checked 7 Nov 2026 |
| United States | Declare all meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals; undeclared prohibited items confiscated; penalty up to USD 1,000 first offence | cbp.gov checked 5 Nov 2026 |