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Personal imports: What food may I bring into the UK?
When travelling outside the EU, there are strict rules about bringing food products back into the UK for your own personal consumption/use. These EU rules are in place to reduce the risk of contaminated food (in particular meat and dairy products) being brought into the UK and putting people, animals and agriculture at risk of disease. So remember to check the rules on what products you can and cannot bring back into the UK before you travel.
Personal imports of meat and dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU with restrictions also applying to other food products, such as potatoes, fish, shellfish, eggs and egg products, honey and certain fruits and vegetables.
Don't bring me back
People travelling outside the EU can check what food they can, and can’t, bring back to the UK using the food checker at: www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback
For personal imports specifically from the following regions/countries - Africa, Bangladesh, Caribbean, China or Hong Kong, India, Middle East, Pakistan and Turkey, please go to: www.direct.gov.uk/foodimports
You can also:
- Search to find out what food you can bring into the UK using the Personal Import Rules database.
- Search the list of Personal imports of plants and plant produce and products (PDF)
- Read the leaflets on the rules of personal imports of products of animal origin (Link to the UK Border Agency website).
Illegal products will be seized and destroyed by Border Force Officers, which means you could face delays and risk facing prosecution. An illegal product is one that is either banned or has been brought back in an amount that exceeds any weight or quantity limits that apply.
The rules apply to any products brought in your personal luggage or sent by post (including those ordered online) and even if they’re for yourself, free from disease, bought in a shop (including at an airport), home-grown/made or vacuum packed.
All EU countries have the same import controls as the UK.
The Law
Commission Regulation (EC) No 206/2009 of 5 March 2009 on the introduction into the Community of personal consignments of products of animal origin and amending Regulation (EC) No 136/2004 (and repealing Regulation (EC) No 745/2004). This is transposed into UK law by: The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2009.
Further information
Page last modified: November 18, 2009