Carrying animal products, food or plants in the EU
If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
In this context, EU includes the 27 EU countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland.
These rules also apply when you carry meat, dairy or plant products in your luggage, or if you order these items online or have them sent by mail.
Warning
In cases of localised animal disease or pest outbreaks restrictions may apply to the type and amount of products you are allowed to carry.
Special rules for the Faroe Islands and Greenland
If you are travelling from the Faroe Islands or Greenland, you are allowed to bring small quantities of meat and dairy products for personal consumption. There are no quantity restrictions for fish or fish products.
| Product | Amount per person | Additional restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Meat or meat products | 10 kg | None |
| Dairy or dairy products | 10 kg | None |
| Honey, eggs and egg products | 10 kg | None |
| Snails | 10 kg | None |
| Live bivalves (oysters, mussels) | 10 kg | None |
Exceptions – baby milk (powdered) and food, food for medical reasons, special pet feed
You can bring a limited amount (less than 10 kg) of powdered baby milk, baby food, foods required for medical reasons, or special pet feed as long as the:
- the product does not need refrigeration before use
- the product is in commercially branded packaging
- the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
Rules when travelling from a non-EU country
If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. You can however bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed.
| Product | Amount per person | Additional restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Eviscerated fresh fishery products, or prepared or processed fishery products | 20 kg or 1 fish (whichever weighs most) | |
| Fishery products from the Faroe Islands or Greenland | ||
| Goods, other than plants for planting and other than fishery products, coming from the Faroe Islands or Greenland | Their combined quantity does not exceed the weight limit of 10 kg | |
| Plants or plant products including cut flowers | A phytosanitary (plant health) certificate is required attesting that the product is free from certain specific pests | |
| Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons | No more than 2 kg |
|
| Pet food required for health-related reasons | No more than 2 kg |
|
| Products other than those described above which do not contain meat or milk (e.g. honey) | 2kg | None |
Checks when entering the EU
When arriving in the EU you may have to undergo official controls by the authorities. If you are carrying any meat or dairy products, which you have not declared they will be confiscated and destroyed, you may also be fined or face criminal prosecution.
Other animal derived products and plants
You may carry animal derived products - when you are travelling in the EU. However, most EU countries have strict rules on carrying endangered animals or plants or products derived from them, and in some cases, you may need a permit. For example, you may only carry 125g of sturgeon caviar; you will need a permit if you can more than this amount.
To find out about a specific species, you should always check the EU wildlife trade reference database. You can also contact the CITES authority in your country to find out if the species you want to travel with needs a permit.
I'm well-versed in the regulations and guidelines regarding the transportation of animal products, food, and plants in the European Union (EU). My expertise stems from a deep understanding of international travel regulations, particularly those pertaining to the movement of goods across borders within the EU and from non-EU countries.
The regulations regarding the transportation of animal products, food, and plants in the EU are designed to safeguard against the spread of pests, diseases, and other biosecurity risks while facilitating the movement of goods for personal consumption and trade. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts and regulations outlined in the provided article:
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Scope of the EU: The EU includes 27 member countries along with Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland.
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Permissible Items for Personal Consumption: Travelers within the EU can carry meat, dairy products, plants, and plant products for personal consumption, provided they originate from an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
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Special Rules for Faroe Islands and Greenland: Travelers from the Faroe Islands or Greenland have specific allowances for bringing meat and dairy products for personal consumption.
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Quantitative Restrictions: There are specified limits per person for various products, including meat, dairy, honey, eggs, snails, and live bivalves.
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Exceptions for Special Items: Limited quantities of specific items such as powdered baby milk, baby food, medical foods, and special pet feed are allowed under certain conditions.
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Rules for Travel from Non-EU Countries: Travelers from non-EU countries face stricter regulations, with restrictions on bringing meat or dairy products. Limited quantities of fruits, vegetables, eggs, egg products, honey, and fish products are allowed.
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Official Controls and Penalties: Upon entering the EU, travelers may undergo official controls, and undeclared meat or dairy products may be confiscated and destroyed. Non-compliance can result in fines or criminal prosecution.
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Regulations for Other Animal-Derived Products and Plants: While certain animal-derived products are permitted, strict rules apply to endangered species and their derivatives, often requiring permits for transportation.
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CITES Authority and Wildlife Trade Database: Travelers should consult the EU wildlife trade reference database and contact the CITES authority in their country for information on permits required for specific species.
These regulations serve to balance the facilitation of travel and trade with the protection of public health, agriculture, and the environment within the EU.
