Most travellers are aware of the rules concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco but unsuspecting passengers must bear in mind that unusual souvenirs and gifts may be banned in the UK.

Customs Minister Paul Boateng

"Every year, millions of tourists flock to Europe and faraway destinations and bring back an assortment of gifts and mementoes that look innocent but can in fact be illegal," said the minister.

"Most travellers are aware of the rules concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco but unsuspecting passengers must bear in mind that unusual souvenirs and gifts may be banned in the UK.

"These include not just the obviously dangerous items like flick knives but goods such as coral, ivory and animal skins, whose trade damages the environment and endangers rare species."

Other recent Scottish seizures include three tortoises found by customs officers on a Polish vessel brought into Aberdeen harbour.

Incoming airfreight

The ship had come from Morocco and the tortoises were handed on to animal welfare experts who found a home for them on Skye.

Coral and conch shell were found at Edinburgh airport on Thursday in an incoming airfreight flight from Dubai - and coral and conch were also seized at Lerwick harbour.

Customs officials UK-wide last year seized more than 1,100 prohibited weapons and 3,800 materials derived from endangered species, including snakeskin handbags and lizard skin wallets.

Weapon seizures in Scotland included gas canisters, pepper sprays, nine samurai swords, 107 flick knives, and five knuckle-dusters.

But one of the most unusual seizures was three suitcases full of caviar taken from a passenger who arrived at Heathrow from Russia.

The legal limit for passengers arriving from outside the EU is 250 grams, and the seizure weighed 92kg.