Travellers urged to check UK food importation rules
Travellers are being urged to check the rules on what foods can and can’t be brought back to the UK if they journey outside the EU.
The ‘Don’t bring me back’ campaign aims to increase awareness among travellers heading to countries outside the EU about what foods cannot be brought back to the UK. This is in order to minimise disease risk. Sticking to the rules will also avoid the inconvenience of being searched by Border Force Officers or even potentially prosecuted.
Around 85 tonnes of illegal animal products were seized from travellers last year, many of whom were either not aware of the rules or were confused about the differences in the personal import rules from outside and inside the EU. Food products seized included meat and dairy products, fish and honey.
Key advice for travellers is as follows:
- When travelling outside the EU, remember there are strict rules about bringing food back into the UK.
- All meat and dairy products are banned and restrictions apply to certain other foodstuffs such as fish, shellfish, honey and certain fruits and vegetables.
Before travelling, use the ‘Can I bring it back?’ food-checker to see examples of local products which can and cannot be brought back from popular destinations outside the EU. the checker can be found on the DirectGov website below.
Further information
Page last modified: 19 October 2009
Page published: 19 October 2009