UK holidaymakers are being warned that they could face fines of up to £5,000 for bringing undeclared food items into the country. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued a reminder that meat, dairy, and other animal products from the EU are banned from personal luggage, with strict rules also applying to fruit, vegetables, and pet food.
According to DEFRA, items such as cheese, cured meats, and milk products cannot be brought into Great Britain from the EU. The rules are designed to protect against serious disease outbreaks, including foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. Holidaymakers who fail to declare prohibited food to Border Force officers risk prosecution or a fine of up to £5,000 in England.
Border Force officers will confiscate and destroy any banned food items that are declared. If travellers are unsure about their items, they should use the red channel or red point phone at customs. Those who believe their goods were wrongly seized can appeal and may receive compensation if successful.
The rules vary depending on the country of origin. From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, most meats and all dairy products are banned, with exceptions for up to 2kg of powdered baby milk, baby food, or medical food per person. From non-EU countries, a wider range of items is prohibited, including meat, dairy, and most fruit and vegetables unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
Full guidance is available on the Gov.uk website, covering regulations on meat, dairy, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and pet food. Travellers are urged to check the rules before they travel to avoid penalties.
