Slovenia customs rules, coming in and going home

Duty-free allowances: tobacco and alcohol

Travellers from outside the EU, which includes the UK, have duty-free allowances much lower than those for travel within the EU. The Tourist Board lists 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos of up to 3 g, 50 cigars or 250 g of smoking tobacco, plus 1 litre of drinks over 22% or 2 litres under 22%, 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer. The beer brewed in the country itself is covered in Slovenian beer. Within the EU the limits are far higher, 800 cigarettes or 90 litres of wine, but they only apply to people travelling between member states. The documents you need to get in are a separate matter, covered in Slovenia entry requirements.

What you can take back to the UK

There’s no VAT refund for EU residents, but as a visitor leaving the EU you can reclaim it with the tax-free form the seller fills in, stamped by customs as you leave along with the original receipt, as long as the goods leave within three months; it doesn’t apply to mineral oils, alcohol or tobacco. For food, gov.uk’s current rules allow fish, poultry, eggs and honey from the EU, but not cheese, milk and other dairy, nor pork, beef, lamb, goat or venison and products made from them, such as sausages. So if you buy Carniolan sausage, eat it there. Souvenirs that travel well are listed in what to buy in Slovenia.

Declaring cash

The Tourist Board and gov.uk agree that any amount of cash from €10,000 upwards has to be declared on arrival from outside the EU. For day-to-day spending, the Tourist Board points to an exceptionally high number of cash machines; see money in Slovenia.

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Bringing medicines

You can bring medicines for yourself, your immediate family, your pet or, with a power of attorney, one other person. The limit is three weeks’ supply for acute conditions and three months for chronic ones, or up to twelve months if you show proof to customs. gov.uk warns that a medicine allowed at home isn’t always regulated the same way abroad. I’d carry the prescription or a doctor’s letter. The health side of the trip is covered in healthcare in Slovenia.

Food and plants you can’t bring in

Arriving from outside the EU, meat, milk and products made from them are prohibited or severely restricted, with exceptions for up to 2 kg of baby food or food for medical purposes. Small amounts of fruit, vegetables, bread, sweets, chocolate or honey are allowed, up to 2 kg, and up to 20 kg of fish. Plants and seeds need a phytosanitary certificate.

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Travelling with pets

Dogs and cats need a passport or veterinary certificate showing rabies vaccination, and must be identifiable by a microchip or a legible tattoo. You can bring up to five animals, except for shows and competitions, and the rules vary with the rabies status of the country you’re coming from, so check before you travel.

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