The products you can and can’t bring into the UK — from cured meat to cheese

What are the new rules?

ALAMY

Travellers returning to the UK from the EU are no longer allowed to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products into Great Britain for personal use. The government said the rules had been introduced “to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security” amid rising numbers of foot-and-mouth disease cases across Europe.

This includes items such as sandwiches (with meat or cheese fillings), cheeses, cured meats, raw meat and milk. The ban is an extension of existing restrictions on the personal imports of many meat and dairy products from Hungary, Germany, Austria and Slovakia, where cases had been recorded.

Which food items are banned?

GETTY IMAGES

You cannot bring in any of the following from the EU, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, regardless of how the items are packaged and whether they were purchased in duty free:

• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages
• milk and dairy products like butter, cheese and yoghurt

However, you are able to bring up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food needed for medical reasons. You can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging, unless it is in use.

Can I bring pet food into the UK?

Pig, cow, sheep, goat and deer products that are not for human consumption, such as pet food containing pig meat, are also banned. Travellers may bring 2kg per person of special pet food needed for medical reasons if it does not need to be refrigerated before use and is in branded, unopened packaging, unless it is in current use.

What is foot-and-mouth disease?

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock including cattle, sheep, pigs and deer. It poses no risk to humans, but any outbreaks would present significant risks to livestock and farming businesses in the UK. There are no cases of FMD in the UK so far, but it has been detected in EU countries, meaning an increased risk of introduction into Great Britain.

Which items can I bring into the UK?

ALAMY

You can bring in any of the following items for personal use from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland:

• fish
• poultry, for example chicken, duck, goose and any other products made from these meats
• other animal products, like eggs and honey

You can also bring in any of the following items:

• bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
• cakes without fresh cream
• biscuits
• chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
• pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
• packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
• processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
• food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules

What about non-EU countries?

If you’re travelling to the UK from any country not in the EU, you cannot bring in:

• meat or meat products
• milk or milk-based products, except powdered infant milk, infant food or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons
• caviar, unless you have a permit

You can bring in up to 2kg per person of:

• honey
• powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons. You can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless it is in current use)
• shellfish, such as mussels or oysters
• snails (these must be preserved or shelled, cooked and prepared)
• frogs’ legs: these must be the back (hind) part of the frog with the skin and internal organs removed
• insect meat

You can bring in up to 20kg per person in total of fish, including:

• fresh fish; must be gutted
• fish products
• processed fish (must be dried, cooked, cured or smoked)
• lobsters
• prawns

Are there any other, non-food items that are banned?

You are not permitted to bring any of the following into the UK:

• controlled drugs
• offensive weapons, for example flick knives
• self-defence sprays, for example pepper spray and CS gas
• endangered animal and plant species
• rough diamonds
• indecent and obscene materials, such as books, magazines, films and DVDs
• endangered animals, birds and plants, or goods made from them, such as jewellery, shoes, bags and belts, even if they were openly on sale in the countries where you bought them, unless you have a valid permit

There are limits on other items, such as alcohol and tobacco, which you can find details of on the government’s website.

Most travellers can bring goods into the UK worth up to £390, such as perfume and electrical goods, without paying tax and duty in the UK. You must declare any cash or cash equivalent (like cheques) of £10,000 or more held by yourself (or in total among your family or group) when you are entering or leaving the UK.

Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members

Sign up to the travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here