Anyone ever been stopped taking meat or milk products into Calais? (1 Viewer)

[nomad2022]

Taking ferry over to Calais on Thursday just looking at Foreign Office advice and apparently you can’t take meat or dairy products with you? Does that mean I should travel with empty fridge and do a super shop once I get accross? Was planning to stock up fridge beforehand but don’t want to get hassled over a bit of ham/bacon milk/cheese!

 

[Two on Tour]

Nope, full F/F twice this year, they came on board only and had a root around only to check that we were not taking illegals back to France.

 

[nomad2022]

thanks good to know - my first crossing in Motorhome just trying to cross the t’s and dot the i’s

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[nomad2022]

Guess the worst that could happen is they get me to dump offending products

 

[Two on Tour]

Guess the worst that could happen is they get me to dump offending products

Or you eat them as fast as you can.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Only asked about the gas off for us.
Oh, and although we had a full 3d scan of our van on the way back there was no comment on the 55 litres wine, 6 litres whiskey and a case of Leffe

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[Tonks]

Guess the worst that could happen is they get me to dump offending products

Actually, the worst case scenario is that you COULD be heavily fined, have your products destroyed and be listed for checks on future crossings. Unlikely, but possible.

 

[Tombola]

GAs out and in + illegals stowaways in

 

[nomad2022]

Hmm don’t like sound of fine and being blacklisted may just take

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[Lenny HB]

Been across at least 6 times since Bx, no problems.

 

[Tonks]

Hmm don’t like sound of fine and being blacklisted may just take

I think your likelihood of being fined on a first offence is tiny, unless you argue the toss with the customs person if you're called out on it, but it is theoretically possible if the said customs person has had a very bad day...

 

[Just smiffy]

They would rather nick the easy targets… those that are smuggling some rashers and maybe some smelly cheese then trying to stop the real problem as that would be too much hard work… it’s not worth it mate, you could get 2yrs….

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[bigtwin]

I understood that if it was for your own consumption then it was fine. I don’t have a definitive source for that information though.

Ian

 

[rico]

Border checks are on British soil. You will drive straight off the ferry in Calais and straight out of the docks. The custom posts in Calais look like they are not in use.
We have just been to the UK and returned to France last week and didn't get checked either way apart from Passport control.
Must have honest face's or maybe the dog put them off or the fact we are on Spanish plates.
Who knows??
By the way the pet lounge on PO is a brill idea. A lot better than leaving the hound in the vehicle and certainly our dog was very chilled from the crossings but that might be the jar of treats.

 

[Minxy]

Don't worry about it, the only incident of note was the infamous ham sandwich being taken into Holland by a truck driver just after 'B', we've not had a problem and have just done a shop today for all the goodies to take with us on Thursday (Eurotunnel) ... if they try to confiscate my bacon they're gonna have a right scrap!

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[suavecarve]

Only asked about the gas off for us.
Oh, and although we had a full 3d scan of our van on the way back there was no comment on the 55 litres wine, 6 litres whiskey and a case of Leffe

One case of Leffe !
They forced me to buy 6 of them because of the offer when we came back

 

[suavecarve]

Don't worry about it, the only incident of note was the infamous ham sandwich being taken into Holland by a truck driver just after 'B', we've not had a problem and have just done a shop today for all the goodies to take with us on Thursday (Eurotunnel) ... if they try to confiscate my bacon they're gonna have a right scrap!

We still only have that infamous ham sandwich to quote from all of our experiences of going abroad since the B word.

In terms of bets there is more chance of England winning the World Cup for football this year than having your bacon confiscated ! There is a chance (that France cheated and we get reinstated, but not a lot of hope)

 

[nomad2022]

Thanks everyone for comments/advice. Planning to overnight in Calais at Cite Europe then make early start south on Friday there’s a Carrfour there so might as well do my shop there save any unnecessary hassle! Although I may just try to sneak in some rashers and burgers in the freezer!

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[Riverbankannie]

One case of Leffe !
They forced me to buy 6 of them because of the offer when we came back

It’s not the carrying back, it’s where to put them once home! We don’t have any storage space. We are still stepping over the one case, now half empty. Actually with just the one, it took us ages in the carpark tearing up bits of cardboard to stop the bottles clanking.

 

[suavecarve]

It’s not the carrying back, it’s where to put them once home! We don’t have any storage space. We are still stepping over the one case, now half empty. Actually with just the one, it took us ages in the carpark tearing up bits of cardboard to stop the bottles clanking.

You can pass our house on the way back, storage will not be an issue, promise

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks everyone for comments/advice. Planning to overnight in Calais at Cite Europe then make early start south on Friday there’s a Carrfour there so might as well do my shop there save any unnecessary hassle!

You are not allowed to overnight at Cite Europe any more so you might need a plan B. But really, don’t worry about emptying the contents of your home fridge into the MH one.

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[VXman]

We were searched twice on one trip recently ( on the way out and on the way in) but on neither occasion did they take any interest in food or alcohol. All they are bothered about is stowaways and possibly drugs. We take fridge full of fresh dairy and meat on every trip. So in my opinion - nor worries.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

We get stopped by the French border control on the way back and they just want to look in the garage and inside, time before last the chap was to busy playing with my 2 Jack Russell pups on the floor to look inside, just came back again last week and this time the chap wouldn’t come in as the dogs were sitting on the floor looking at him
Couple of times he said something to them but obviously they don’t do French, had to move them in the end

Apart from looking for people on the way back to UK not had anyone look or ask about food, lucky if you get a raised eyebrow from French customs.

 

[Stealaway]

You are not allowed to overnight at Cite Europe any more so you might need a plan B. But really, don’t worry about emptying the contents of your home fridge into the MH one.

As above no overnights at Cite Europe any more. Nearest free Aire is at Sangat

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[Soycd]

They have shops in France. Why break the rules when you don't need too?

 

[Riverbankannie]

They have shops in France. Why break the rules when you don't need too?

I think most people, like us, just want to take the opened left overs from home fridge rather than chucking them away. Means that there is a drop of milk for teas and maybe a bit of cheese for a sandwich.

 

[Just smiffy]

Thanks everyone for comments/advice. Planning to overnight in Calais at Cite Europe then make early start south on Friday there’s a Carrfour there so might as well do my shop there save any unnecessary hassle! Although I may just try to sneak in some rashers and burgers in the freezer!

The rashers won’t last long….. the illegal immigrants will have eaten them while there hiding in your garage/on top/underneath it if you stay at citi-Europe….

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[Soycd]

I think most people, like us, just want to take the opened left overs from home fridge rather than chucking them away. Means that there is a drop of milk for teas and maybe a bit of cheese for a sandwich.

A good point. But there are folk who get all indignant about not being able to take over a fridge full. The rules have changed, we need to stick to them really.

 

[Reallyretired]

We take what's in the fridge at home to avoid chucking it but do take extra bacon and teabags. Decent bacon hard to find in France and teabags limited choice and expensive.
When we come back we stock up on cheese and of course wine.