General strike in France: revised timetable on 31 January. Find out more
Prohibited items
What you can and can’t take
To make sure everyone can travel safely with us, there are a few things we don’t allow on our trains under any circumstances, and some restricted items that will have to be booked on a courier service.
If you’re not sure about a particular item, just get in touch to check before you travel.
Find out more about customs regulations when travelling between the UK and Europe.
Relics from World War sites
If you’ve been to visit one of the commemorative First World War sites, you’ve probably noticed that you can buy certain military relics from this era as souvenirs. Keep in mind, though, that certain items on offer are, for safety and security reasons, strictly prohibited when travelling on a Eurostar train.
You risk being arrested, prosecuted and face a large fine under French customs laws if you attempt to travel with any historical weapons, munitions, or explosive devices carried in your luggage or as part of your personal belongings.
This also applies to military shells and cartridges (even if they appear to be empty) in their original form or as repurposed items. Decorative artillery shells, like the vases in the picture, are also strictly prohibited.
These items are a potential danger to you and others around you. They have also been the cause of frequent station evacuations and significant travel delays when found.
We will also disregard any certification from sellers of such items claiming that they have been de-activated and are therefore harmless. The police will deal with each detected item in the same way.
More prohibited items
Remember, this list doesn’t cover absolutely everything, but it’s a good guide to what you can and can’t take with you.
Anything that’s inherently dangerous or that could be used to commit an act of violence or threat will not be allowed.
If our security teams have any concerns about an item that they believe might represent a risk, Eurostar reserves the right to remove or refuse that item.
- Unlicensed firearms, including replicas and de-activated firearms. Imitation or toy guns that have the appearance of a genuine weapon.
- Ammunition of any calibre and in any quantity.
- All explosives: military shells (including war souvenirs and relics), detonators, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, explosive military stores, imitation devices, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics.
- Items containing incapacitating substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, CS gas, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable.
- Any quantity of inflammable substances, including empty canisters e.g. petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners. Don’t worry though, you can take nail polish and hairspray.
- Firelighters and lighter fuel.
- All flick knives, gravity knives and daggers.
- Folding/lock pocket knives are also banned. Small folding pocket knives with blades under 75mm without a locking mechanism are the exception and are permitted.
- Any other weapon made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.
- Alcohol in excess of our alcohol policy.
- Any item of furniture.
- Perishable items such as meat, fish and dairy products.
- E-scooters and hoverboards
Restricted items
- Authorised firearms not requiring a certificate, e.g. compressed gas or air powered match pistols or hand guns.
- Licensed firearms: a firearms certificate will be required and a European Firearms Pass may be required. You’ll need to check in advance with the relevant national authorities in the country of boarding and destination. Note that all ammunition must be removed.
- Swords (ceremonial and real). Sword sticks and umbrellas containing a sword blade.
- Dangerous sporting equipment (see sporting equipment section).
- Open razors and cut-throat razors.
- Kitchen knives and household utensils.
- DIY tools such as screwdrivers, drills and hammers.
- Cut flowers and other plants need to meet plant health control requirements. Find out more.
Our onboard alcohol policy
To maintain a comfortable environment for all our travellers, we have some limits around the amount of alcohol you can bring on board.
We want our passengers to have a relaxing, pleasant experience and that’s why we reserve the right to confiscate excessive amounts of alcohol intended for consumption on the journey. We also have the right to refuse access to our services if a traveller’s physical or mental state is affected by alcohol or drugs.
Typically, we limit consumption on board to:4 bottles / cans of beer or 1 bottle of wine per person
No large bottles of spirits
We appreciate that passengers often want to bring a few bottles back from their trip and we are happy for customers to bring unopened bottles of alcohol to take on to their destination. Any passengers with large quantities will need to contact a courier service.
Although you can bring alcohol with you and we serve alcohol on board, safety is our top priority. So, please drink in moderation. If you behave in an antisocial way which ruins the journey for other passengers or break any laws or by-laws, we might ask you to leave the train at the nearest station.
Night ski trains and trains taking fans to or from a sports event
As a result of some incidents on these services, we don't sell alcohol on board or allow travellers to bring their own alcohol with them. Any alcohol is confiscated during check-in and only non-alcoholic drinks in sealed bottles are allowed to pass through security at your departure station.
Money
If you're carrying more than €10,000 in cash or alternative value (or the equivalent amount in another currency) when leaving your country, you will need to declare it. Find out more