This page has been automatically translated. Please refer to the French version if needed.
Can we bring food by plane?
This is a frequent question when returning from vacation. Many travelers want to bring home local specialties: fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, sandwiches or even groceries such as jams or tapenade.
Food transport is possible by air, but also during an international journey by train, car or boat. However, their introduction into French territory is strictly regulated. The authorized products, the quantities allowed and the restrictions applicable vary according to the country of origin and the nature of the food transported.
The regulations on the transport of food depend on the country of departure and destination
For travel within the European Union, it is possible to transport food products, as long as they are intended for your personal consumption Some prohibitions may depend on the rules of airlines or air carriers.
However, the rules are different if you travel from a third country (non-EU countries), including by air. The regulation in force aims to protect the European Union from many diseases and parasites that can affect humans, animals and plants. All products of animal origin and plant and mineral products are concerned.
In the event of an infringement and regardless of the means of transport used (train, plane)..), the customs systematically seizes and destroys the goods. Ask to avoid this situation to know if you can pass customs with a sandwich.
Which plants and plant products are authorized for entry into the European Union?
| Products concerned |
General case on import third countries (including the United Kingdom from 1 January 2021) |
Special case of Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
|
Authorized without phytosanitary certificate and without quantity limit |
Authorized without phytosanitary certificate and without quantity limit |
|
Allowed: on presentation of a phytosanitary certificate issued by the third country of provenance, without quantity limitation and for plants intended for planting, health check on arrival in the Union territory |
Allowed: without phytosanitary certificate |
|
Prohibited | Prohibited |
Which foods of animal origin are banned and which are authorized for entry into the EU?
Certain products of animal origin may be contained in travelers' personal luggage provided that such products:
- are intended for personal consumption;
- do not exceed the quantity thresholds laid down by European legislation (see table)
In principle, the import of meat, meat products, milk and milk products (cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, etc.) is prohibited.
You must declare and present to customs the products of animal origin contained in your luggage.
| Products concerned | Non-EU travelers (including the UK as of 1 January 2021) | Faroe Island and Greenland |
|---|---|---|
|
Prohibited | Allowed up to 10 kg |
|
Allowed up to 2kg | Allowed up to 10 kg |
|
Allowed up to 20 kg | Allowed without weight limit |
|
Allowed up to 2 kg | Allowed up to 10 kg |
|
Allowed up to 2 kg | Allowed up to 10 kg |
Special situations of travelers from Andorra, Iceland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Northern Ireland
Foodstuffs of animal origin from these countries are authorized without quantity limits.
Regulations applicable to plants and plant products
Due to their often irreversible consequences on biodiversity, plants and plant products are subject to compulsory customs control upon entry into the territory. During this check, travelers must present a phytosanitary certificate issued by the third country of origin, regardless of the quantity of plants contained in their luggage.
Plants intended for planting must be presented, upon entry into the EU, to the phytosanitary inspectors at the border control post, in order to obtain a common sanitary entry document.