Reader Question: What food items can I take from France to the UK as gifts when I visit family?
There are certain restrictions on bringing fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products into the UK but these are, for the time being, relaxed if you are coming from an EU country.
Note, however, that slightly different rules (for example, banning certain vegetables) exist relating to Northern Ireland, so the following comments mostly concern England, Scotland and Wales.
Also note that the rules may be subject to change by the end of 2023 when the UK intends to impose full animal and plant checks on EU imports (these have been in place in the UK to EU direction since the start of last year).
The UK government states that as a general rule there are no restrictions on bringing from any foreign country food products such as:
Bread (but not sandwiches with meat and dairy products)
Cakes without fresh cream
Biscuits
Chocolate
Pasta and noodles, as long as they are not mixed or filled with meat products
Packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
Processed and packaged plant products such as salads
Food supplements such as fish oil capsules
Therefore, if you are planning to pack any of these products, you do not need to worry.
If travelling from an EU member state, it is also possible to bring in meat, dairy, fish and other animal products such as eggs and honey as long as they are only for personal use. The same applies to fruit, vegetables and nuts.
However, there are restrictions if you are bringing more than 2kg of pork or pork products.
You can only bring in pork or pork products over 2kgs if they are either:
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commercially packaged with an EU identification mark
stamped with a health mark if it is a carcass
These items are free from customs duties and VAT as long as their value is less than £390 per adult.
If you are travelling from a country within the EU (see the list below), you may bring in any meat, dairy or other animal products. for example fish, bivalves (such as oysters, mussels or clams), honey and eggs.
If you are travelling from a country within the EU (see the list below), you may bring in any meat, dairy or other animal products. for example fish, bivalves (such as oysters, mussels or clams), honey and eggs.
You cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a 'phytosanitary' (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you're leaving. You can only bring in the following without a phytosanitary certificate: pineapple.
Government guidelines outline what foodstuffs you can bring back to Britain, but in general the customs rules allow for cheeses, meat, fish and fresh dairy for personal consumption. If you're not taking your car, you may need to choose wisely to keep the weight down.
If you're from one of the 27 EU countries, you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. However, as the UK is no longer a member of the EU, you cannot carry meat and dairy products from the UK in your motorhome and into France.
Pack your butter in your checked bag so that there are no issues with customs when you return to the U.S. It doesn't need to be specially wrapped or vacuum sealed as with some other perishable goods, but you cannot pack butter in your carry-on.
Breath easy! Chocolate and sweets are totally allowed in. US Customs and Border Protection noted in a list published on their site that “breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods” are all welcome stateside.
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Also, though you're not allowed to bring in “plants” (including fruit and vegetables), there are exceptions for bananas, coconuts, dates, and pineapples. For more detail, you can read the most up-to-date rules on the personal imports you're allowed to bring into France and Europe.
“To keep fresh fruits and veggies from getting crushed or bruised, pack them in BPA-free, reusable, and collapsible food containers,” says Serena Poon, celebrity chef and nutritionist, wellness expert, and founder of Just Add Water™️.
Foods of animal origin and products of animal origin are subject to restrictions: travellers are not allowed to carry meat, meat-based products, milk and dairy products imported from third countries* in their personal packages and luggage.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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