Can You Send Isinglass and Scallops to the UK? 2026 Guide to Shipping Dried Seafood to the UK and the Most Affordable Methods

Dried seafood carries the cherished flavors of home and is a favorite among Hong Kong expats and overseas Chinese living in the UK. Whether for personal use or as gifts, shipping dried seafood to the UK is a popular choice. However, the UK has strict regulations on imported food to protect local agriculture and ecological security. Based on official entry guidelines from the UK Government (GOV.UK), this article provides a comprehensive breakdown of UK dried seafood import restrictions, helping you successfully bring isinglass, scallops, and mushrooms into Britain.

• Understand UK dried seafood regulations: Master the 20-kilogram weight limit, original packaging requirements, and honest declaration procedures to avoid customs confiscation or fines.
• Identify permitted and prohibited items: Distinguish between low-risk dried goods (isinglass, scallops, mushrooms), medium-risk dried goods (oyster sauce, dried shrimp), and high-risk prohibited items (meat products, endangered species), ensuring safe and compliant shipping.
• Choose the most affordable and reliable shipping method: Compare shipping costs and customs clearance efficiency between Hong Kong Post and professional courier services to find the logistics solution that best suits your needs.

The UK's food import regulations are enforced by multiple government departments, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), UK Border Force, and the Food Standards Authority. These regulations are designed to prevent the introduction of animal diseases, protect local agricultural industries, and ensure consumer food safety.

According to UK regulations following Brexit, food shipped from non-UK/non-EU countries such as Hong Kong must comply with specific category and weight limits. Dried seafood is classified as an aquatic product, which has relatively looser restrictions compared to meat and dairy products, but still requires proper declaration procedures. UK customs officials check three core elements during clearance: item type, weight, and packaging integrity.

It is important to note that the UK has a clear definition of "personal use" – food being shipped cannot be intended for commercial sale or resale. If customs believes the quantity of dried seafood you are sending is too large, it may be viewed as a commercial activity, potentially resulting in tariffs or the risk of the shipment being returned.

According to UK customs guidelines, dried aquatic products such as isinglass and scallops are typically considered low-risk and are permitted for personal use shipping. Isinglass, also known as fish maw or fish bladder, is made from the dried bladder of fish and is rich in gelatin and protein. Scallops are a type of dried scallop, a dried shellfish product. Both are traditional Chinese food ingredients with high demand in the UK Chinese community.

Isinglass and scallops must comply with the following official requirements for UK entry:

1. Weight Restrictions: The total weight of aquatic products shipped for personal use (including dried fish, shrimp, shellfish, isinglass, etc.) must not exceed 20 kilograms (or the weight of one complete fish, whichever is greater). This limit applies to a single shipment. If multiple shipments of the same item are sent, customs may suspect commercial intent.

2. Packaging Requirements: Must be in original sealed packaging with clear labeling of ingredients, country of origin, and expiration date. Loose or repackaged dried seafood is easily rejected or confiscated by customs due to hygiene concerns. Original packaging should clearly display ingredient lists in Chinese and English, nutritional information, and manufacturer details.

3. Honest Declaration: Provide detailed item names on the electronic customs declaration form (CN22/CN23), such as "Dried Scallops" or "Dried Fish Maw". Do not conceal or misrepresent items, as customs may conduct X-ray scanning or manual inspection, and discovery of non-compliance will result in fines or confiscation.

4. Source Verification: Keep purchase invoices or receipts to prove the goods come from legitimate merchants. If dried seafood comes from unclear sources, it may involve endangered species issues, leading to customs confiscation.

Low-Risk Dried Goods (Permitted):

• Dried Mushrooms: Completely dried mushrooms are considered low-risk and are permitted for shipping. However, if mushrooms contain excessive moisture or are not completely dried, they may be classified as fresh food and rejected. It is recommended to confirm that mushrooms are completely dried before shipping and maintain original packaging.
• Soup Packets (Without Meat): Traditional tonic soup packets containing only dried seafood and plant-based ingredients (such as red dates, longan, cordyceps, etc.) are typically permitted. However, if they contain any meat components (even in powder or spice form), they are classified as prohibited items.
• Dried Scallop Muscle: A type of dried scallop, classified as a low-risk dried aquatic product and permitted for shipping.
• Canned Abalone: Canned seafood products are generally permitted, but it is recommended that single shipments not exceed 2 kilograms to be considered for personal use.

Medium-Risk Dried Goods (Requires Attention):

• Dried Oysters: A dried oyster product. Although permitted, if it contains excessive moisture or is not completely dried, it may be classified as fresh food and rejected. It is recommended to purchase products from reputable merchants to ensure complete drying.
• Dried Shrimp: Dried small shrimp. Similar to dried oysters, if it contains excessive moisture, it may be held by customs. When shipping, confirm that dried shrimp is completely dried.

High-Risk/Prohibited Items:

• Meat Products: Cured meat, sausage, preserved kidney, fava beans, etc. The UK strictly prohibits the shipping of any food containing meat components (even in powder or spice form). This is one of the UK's strictest food import prohibitions, and violators may face significant fines.
• Endangered Species: Some sea cucumbers, shark fins, or isinglass from certain endangered fish species may be protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Without a permit, goods will be confiscated and the sender may face legal consequences.
• Fresh or Frozen Seafood: Undried aquatic products are completely prohibited for shipping due to the potential for pathogen transmission.

When shipping dried seafood to the UK, in addition to traditional postal services, choosing an appropriate courier service can significantly reduce the risk of customs detention and accelerate delivery times. The following are the main options:

1. Hong Kong Post

Hong Kong Post offers international small parcel services at relatively low shipping costs. Shipping 5 kilograms of dried seafood to the UK costs approximately HK$200-400, with delivery times typically ranging from 7-14 days. However, Hong Kong Post has longer customs clearance times and does not include tax or customs clearance assistance services. If your goods are held by UK customs, you will need to contact customs or the postal service yourself to follow up. Additionally, Hong Kong Post has relatively simple food declaration procedures, which may result in unclear or non-compliant declarations according to UK customs requirements.

2. Professional International Courier Platforms

Through courier services, you can choose different options based on urgency and budget:

• Economy Courier Option: Shipping costs approximately HK$300-600, with delivery times of 7-10 days. Suitable for shipments with flexible delivery timelines.
• Standard Courier: Shipping costs approximately HK$600-1,200, with delivery times of 4-7 days. Provides basic customs clearance assistance and tracking services.
• Express Courier: Shipping costs approximately HK$1,200-2,000, with delivery times of 1-3 days. Suitable for high-value or time-sensitive shipments.

Professional courier companies typically provide door-to-door pickup, packing guidance, customs clearance assistance, and comprehensive cargo tracking, significantly reducing the risk of customs detention.

For more accurate calculation of your shipping costs and to select the most suitable transportation method, we recommend using our instant rate calculator. Enter your origin (Hong Kong), destination (UK city), cargo weight, and type to receive real-time quotes and delivery timeframes from multiple courier companies.

Preparation Before Shipping:

1. Packaging Integrity Check: Ensure dried seafood is in vacuum-sealed or original factory packaging. Loose dried seafood is easily rejected by customs due to hygiene concerns. It is recommended to use additional waterproof and damage-resistant outer packaging to prevent damage during transportation.

2. Purchase Documentation Retention: Keep invoices or receipts to prove the goods' value and origin. If customs requires it, you can provide documentation proving this is legally purchased food for personal use.

3. Ingredient Verification: Check whether soup packets contain regulated Chinese medicinal materials (such as dendrobium, cordyceps, etc.). Certain Chinese medicinal materials may be classified as controlled items in the UK, requiring separate declaration or potentially being prohibited.

4. Label and Declaration Form Completion: Clearly mark "FOOD" and "DRIED SEAFOOD" on the package exterior. On the electronic customs declaration form (CN22/CN23), provide detailed information for each dried seafood item including name, quantity, weight, and estimated value. Avoid vague descriptions such as "gift" or "food"; instead, use specific descriptions like "Dried Scallops 500g".

5. UK Customs Contact Information Preparation: Note down the contact information for UK customs or the destination post office so you can follow up promptly if your goods are held.

Q: Can I ship dried seafood soup packets containing meat?

A: No. The UK strictly prohibits the import of any food containing meat components, including cured meat, sausage, fava beans, and preserved kidney. Even mixed soup packets containing small amounts of meat components will be confiscated by customs. It is recommended to ship pure seafood soup packets (such as combinations of isinglass, scallops, mushrooms, red dates, and other ingredients without meat components).

Q: Does isinglass and scallops involve endangered species?

A: Most common edible isinglass and scallops do not involve endangered species, but certain premium isinglass (such as isinglass from specific endangered fish species) may be protected under CITES. When purchasing, ensure the source is legal and keep purchase documentation. If uncertain, it is recommended to purchase certified products from reputable merchants.

Q: Is the 20-kilogram limit strictly enforced?

A: Yes. UK customs considers 20 kilograms as the upper limit for personal use. Shipments exceeding this limit may be viewed as commercial intent, potentially resulting in import taxes and possible fines. It is recommended that single shipments not exceed 15 kilograms to maintain a safety margin.

Q: What should I do if my goods are held by customs?

A: You will receive a customs notice explaining the reason for detention. If the goods comply with entry regulations but were detained due to unclear declaration, you can provide supplementary documents (such as purchase receipts or ingredient lists) to appeal. If the goods actually violate prohibitions, they are usually destroyed or returned. It is recommended to contact your courier company or customs for assistance.

Q: Do I need special permits to ship dried seafood?

A: General dried seafood does not require special permits. However, if endangered species are involved, a CITES permit is required. It is recommended to consult with customs clearance service experts before shipping to ensure compliance.

Q: Does dried seafood need refrigeration during transport?

A: Completely dried seafood does not require refrigeration and can be transported at room temperature. However, if the transport environment is humid, dried seafood may become damp and spoil. It is recommended to choose courier services that offer temperature control or moisture-resistant packaging.

Following Brexit, the UK continues to adjust its food import policies. According to the latest information, the UK government is considering further simplification of import procedures for certain foods, but the prohibition on meat and animal products is expected to remain unchanged. In 2026, the UK may introduce a more digitalized customs declaration system, making declarations more transparent and clearance faster.

Additionally, trade agreements between the UK and Hong Kong may affect import tariffs on certain foods. It is recommended to regularly check the GOV.UK official website for the latest regulations or monitor your shipment status through our real-time cargo tracking service.

Shipping dried seafood to the UK is straightforward as long as you follow two key principles: "20-kilogram weight limit" and "original packaging", and make honest declarations. Traditional dried seafood such as isinglass, scallops, and mushrooms are classified as low-risk dried goods and are completely permitted for shipping, allowing you to easily share the flavors of home with family and friends in the UK.

Choosing an appropriate courier service is crucial. Whether you opt for the economical option with Hong Kong Post or the efficient service of a professional courier, ensure that your goods are clearly declared, properly packaged, and comply with UK customs regulations. If you have questions about the import regulations for specific items, it is recommended to consult with customs clearance service experts before shipping.

Use our instant rate calculator now to compare shipping costs and delivery times among different courier companies and find the logistics solution that best suits your needs. Our platform provides transparent pricing information, comprehensive cargo tracking, and customs clearance assistance, ensuring your dried seafood arrives safely and quickly at your UK destination.