Anyone had a fridge,food check at Calais recently

[Two Rivers]

Just wondering if it’s worth the risk taking a few of our favourite foods , what’s the penalty if you’re found with dairy products

 

[SpeedyDux]

Why? Luckily, you can even buy Marmite in France.

 

[Lenny HB]

Been across loads of times no one interested.

 

[Lozsing]

came through yesterday no problem ,went out 3 weeks ago fridge full no checks

 

[Ven]

We’ve been across twice this year, last Tuesday the most recent time and they couldn’t care less what food you are carrying and do not even ask. We had dog food wet and dry and some contraband bacon

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[Stealaway]

Traveling today on Eurotunnel with a FULL fridge.
I'll let you know later

 

[jongood]

Just wondering if it’s worth the risk taking a few of our favourite foods , what’s the penalty if you’re found with dairy products

its 20 years in the foreign legion if you dont have Angles mortes stickers, so wh knows how much for a ham sandwich

 

[rod_vw]

We've been through the tunnel southbound twice this year and nobody seem in the least interested.

Likewise on our last return trip into the UK.

 

[Peter and Julie]

Why? Luckily, you can even buy Marmite in France.

You can't buy M&S Best Beef Pies though!
Seriously, not been checked when in van or car last couple of times. If checked you lose a few quid!

 

[Ingwe]

Traveling today on Eurotunnel with a FULL fridge.
I'll let you know later

You’re only allowed one phone call when in police custody!

Have a great, safe trip!

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[Larby]

Now 2 years running. Fridge freezer jammed with pasties, marmite sausages and lamb and mint burgers. Can’t buy them in LeClerc! Not for us but gifts for our foreign friends.
No one bothered

 

[Peter and Julie]

its 20 years in the foreign legion if you dont have Angles mortes stickers, so wh knows how much for a ham sandwich

12 months in the Legion is enough!

 

[nicholsong]

On another thread somebody quoted the actual directive which exempted foods taken for personal consumption.

That is probably the reason for no checks on motorhomes.

 

[TheTurnips]

Fill the fridge and crack on to Macon

 

[Tonks]

Just wondering if it’s worth the risk taking a few of our favourite foods , what’s the penalty if you’re found with dairy products

Since I don’t think anyone has actually answered your question…
If stopped and non-allowed foods found you would have the food confiscated. Which would be worth the risk I guess, BUT you can also be fined quite heavily, and you *could* also end up on a checklist meaning you’d be much more likely to be pulled over for checks on future visits.
Also, despite a comment above, there is nowhere in the official Government posted guidance any exclusion for foods carried for ‘personal consumption’. That only applies if you’re travelling within the EU. From outside the EU, ie, from the UK, you are not allowed to take any meat or dairy products into an EU ‘member state’.
99% of those taking their own supplies seem to have no problem, but you should be aware that it is illegal nonetheless so if you do get stopped, being sensible about it and not arguing the toss would seem to be a good course of action.

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[Tombola]

Came back through calais 4 weeks ago and no.

Im just about to set off for Hull to Rotterdam ferry, then beyond, and I can seriously say cupboards and fridge are the most full they have ever been

 

[Peter and Julie]

Came back through calais 4 weeks ago and no.

Im just about to set off for Hull to Rotterdam ferry, then beyond, and I can seriously say cupboards and fridge are the most full they have ever been

Isn't Rotterdam the place that confiscated the lorry drivers ham sandwich?

 

[Tombola]

Isn't Rotterdam the place that confiscated the lorry drivers ham sandwich?

is it , oh dear maybe Ill have to try my charm.

 

[Ingwe]

is it , oh dear maybe Ill have to try my charm.

Yes, if stopped, say something like “why don’t you go and relieve the little boy with his finger in the dyke rather than harass me over my triangle of Dairylea?”…….

 

[Folkranger]

Not food, but you can't get calomine lotion in the EU. For some reason it's proscribed. If you ever get prickly heat you know that this is the only thing that makes it bearable. After a problem a few years back I bought some on return to Blighty and always carry it in the van.

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[Spriddler]

Isn't Rotterdam the place that confiscated the lorry drivers ham sandwich?

Yep. I suspect the starving Customs guy hadn't had a chance to go for a lunch break.

 

[Stealaway]

Just arrived at the Sangatt Aire. Hardly anybody on our 6.36 train.
The French custom's could not have been less interested in us or our be van or fridge.

 

[Tombola]

Just to confirm...straight through customs at Rotterdam ..where you going and for how long.

Bye..have a nice trip...done

 

[carolyn]

Van searched thoroughly at Calais 2 days ago but the only door they didn’t open was the fridge. I am beginning to wonder if it’s deliberate as they really don’t want to find loads of food and then have to find bags and bins for storage and disposal. It did give me a moments breath holding as I had quite a bit of yummy cheese, ham and salamis.

We have a PVC and usually get searched but coachbuilts rarely get stopped, I think they’re lazy and the small vans are easier and quicker to fill the quotas. I can’t really believe we look that suspicious.

 

[Coolcats]

its 20 years in the foreign legion if you dont have Angles mortes stickers, so wh knows how much for a ham sandwich

It is interesting you mention Angles Mortes, from casual observation it appears that British MoHo's are more likely to be compliant and have these all over the van compared to many Lorries and overseas MoHo's and Vans in general

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[Coolcats]

Van searched thoroughly at Calais 2 days ago but the only door they didn’t open was the fridge. I am beginning to wonder if it’s deliberate as they really don’t want to find loads of food and then have to find bags and bins for storage and disposal. It did give me a moments breath holding as I had quite a bit of yummy cheese, ham and salamis.

We have a PVC and usually get searched but coachbuilts rarely get stopped, I think they’re lazy and the small vans are easier and quicker to fill the quotas. I can’t really believe we look that suspicious.

Ours was searched as well I even opened the fridge to explain no meat or dairy come to that no wine or beer either......the search was brief once I did that.

 

[pagey]

As Caroline above we were searched in calais on Tuesday he looked everywhere except the fridge

 

[Coolcats]

Isn't Rotterdam the place that confiscated the lorry drivers ham sandwich?

shouldn't have been waiving it under their nose that's like speeding towards a policeman with a speed gun !

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

coachbuilts rarely get stopped

Stopped a few days coming back through the tunnel at Calais, chap came in and had a good look around same as in October when we returned home.
Not been stopped going out though.

 

[Diabalo]

I thought it about taking stuff into the EU not what you are bringing back to the UK through Calais.

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