United Kingdom Basic Guide For Business Travel

Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are standard.

Language: English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents and may sometimes feel they need an interpreter when speaking to locals.

Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent; emergency treatment is free to visitors, but charges are made for routine medical care. A number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries (including Canada, South Africa and the US) are advised to take out good medical insurance.

Tipping: Tips of 10 to 15% is expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount. Taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15% of the fare. Other services are discretionary.

Safety: It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK, although travellers are advised to take special care of their personal belongings in central London, where pick-pocketing is often reported. There is a risk of international terrorism, as demonstrated by the deadly terrorist bomb attacks in central London on three tubes and a bus in July 2005 that killed over 50 people and injured about 700. On 21 July 2005, four attempted bomb attacks on three underground tube stations and a bus mirrored the attacks earlier that month, but no injuries were reported. Following the counter terrorist operation in the UK in August 2006, security at all UK airports was tightened and restrictions on hand luggage introduced; Britain's national security level is now standing at severe following an airport attack at Glasgow International Airport on 30 June 2007, and security has been increased at all UK transport hubs. On 29 June 2007 two car bombs were discovered, and diffused, in London's West End.

Customs: Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs and restaurants, and on public transport. The ban is also in effect in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There is a strict etiquette on escalators - stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors will find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than Brits in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport where tourists are generally the only people who talk.

Business: The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same practices in business. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations, and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions. Dress is formal, with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

Communications: The international country dialling code for UK is +44. The outgoing code is 00, or 048 for Northern Ireland, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). There are a wide range of city/area codes in use. Mobile phones work throughout the country; the network operators use GSM 1800 networks, which may not be compatible with some dual-band US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in major towns and cities, train stations and airports.

Duty Free: Travellers to the United Kingdom over 16 years with goods purchased in the EU for personal consumption do not have to pay duty on these goods provided they are for personal use or are gifts for family and friends. This does not apply to large quantities of alcohol or tobacco if the amounts exceed the following limits: 3,200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (up to 3g each), 200 cigars, and 3kg pipe or cigarette tobacco; 10 litres spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, 20 litres alcohol less than 22% alcohol volume, 90 litres of wine (with no more than 60 litres sparkling wine) and 110 litres beer. Travellers to the United Kingdom over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries (including the Channel Islands and Gibraltar) do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos (up to 3g each), or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 2 litres dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol volume and sparkling wine, and 2 litres of table wine; perfume up to 60cc or 250ml eau de toilette; and goods such as souvenirs to the value of £145. The import of firearms must be accompanied by an appropriate license or certificate. Passengers to Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Somali and Sudan carrying sporting guns are not allowed to transit through the United Kingdom. All handguns are restricted under UK law and are only allowed on a BA aircraft with prior permission obtained from the Security Duty Manager. Prohibited items include indecent or obscene books, films or videos.