Bringing food and plants into the UK
Bringing some foodstuffs and related products into European Union (EU) countries
is illegal because they can carry animal and plant pests and diseases.
Personal imports
if in doubt, leave it out
If you bring food or plants back to the UK for your own use this is called a 'personal
import’. Personal imports of meat or meat products and milk/dairy products are banned from most countries outside the
EU.
There are also strict controls on bringing the following products into the UK:
- potatoes
- plants
- fish
- shellfish
- honey
- eggs and egg products
- certain fruit and vegetables
The same rules apply whether you are bringing these food items into the UK yourself, if a
friend or a relative is bringing them as a gift, or if they are sent in the post.
If you bring back banned items, or items in an amount that exceeds certain weight limits, all of
the goods will be seized and destroyed.
Anything to declare?
If you declare these goods at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) red channel (‘channels’
are areas you walk through to leave airports, international train stations and ports), the goods will be seized and destroyed
but you will face no further action (for example a fine or prosecution).
If you go through the green channel and HMRC Officers find undeclared items you could face long
delays, the goods will be seized and destroyed and you may be prosecuted.
Find out more
Check the rules before you travel by using the link below from the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) or by phoning the Defra Helpline on +44 (0) 8459 335577
