Taking food into the EU

[autorouter]

On January 1st 2021 the UK will no longer be a member state of the European Union. As we demanded, the UK will be regarded as a non-member state.

Travellers (including lorry drivers and motorhomers), will not be allowed to bring in any meat, milk or their products.

Apart from minor exceptions like infant food and special medical foods, that's it. No meat, no cheese, no longlife milk, no yoghurt, no Fray Bentos pies. Not even Scotch Eggs. Enjoy your new freedom (if you're a vegan).

There's also regulations on fish and honey, but they are less restrictive (20kg of fish, 2kg honey).

Personal imports

Personal goods containing meat, milk or their products brought into the EU continue to present a real threat to animal health throughout the Union.

ec.europa.eu

Lorry drivers heading to EU face ham sandwich ban

Regulations on biosecurity and other issues will affect hauliers from 1 January

www.theguardian.com

 

[David and Sally]

OK by me. Small price to pay for our independence back.

In reality it will inconvenience some I’m sure

 

[BwB]

Broken Link Removed

 

[Helen Ariel]

Yay! A Joni Mitchell song always pops into my mind each time we get another bit of project fact arriving. 'Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone'

 

[Odd-no-more]

There's a lot of scare stories around at the moment, by the time most of us travel it will have settled down. And if we have to shop after arrival, it will be annoying but it won't ruin my holiday

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[Riverbankannie]

I just like to take anything already in my fridge so as not to waste it.

 

[chaser]

On January 1st 2021 the UK will no longer be a member state of the European Union. As we demanded, the UK will be regarded as a non-member state.

Travellers (including lorry drivers and motorhomers), will not be allowed to bring in any meat, milk or their products.

Apart from minor exceptions like infant food and special medical foods, that's it. No meat, no cheese, no longlife milk, no yoghurt, no Fray Bentos pies. Not even Scotch Eggs. Enjoy your new freedom (if you're a vegan).

There's also regulations on fish and honey, but they are less restrictive (20kg of fish, 2kg honey).

Personal imports

Personal goods containing meat, milk or their products brought into the EU continue to present a real threat to animal health throughout the Union.

ec.europa.eu

Lorry drivers heading to EU face ham sandwich ban

Regulations on biosecurity and other issues will affect hauliers from 1 January

www.theguardian.com

Last time we were there , they actually sold food in France, strange I know.

 

[62272]

We are just contemplating how the Brexit outcome will affect our MH continental trips post January 2020, and have been reading up on the constraints of taking food into the EU.

We usually cook a number of meals in advance and freeze them to get us through the first couple of weeks, (generally go for about 6-8 weeks) while enroute through France to our long stay destinations (Med, etc..), to save messing around enroute, keep costs down and we are also mainly plant based which is difficult to source on the continent. It appears that all meat and meat products, also Milk and dairy products (from milk) are prohibited from being imported (even for personal consumption). It also appears that vegetables and fruit are also banned (in their raw state), as these are classed as live plant or live plant products.

Don’t know if others have given thought to this, and what is and is not permitted? Example; can we take cooked vegan vegetable sauce prepared meals, with perhaps soya mince or plant based meat alternative products? How are these checked at border control? Is Soya milk permitted (EU legislation apparently banned the use of ‘milk’ wording on soya plant products - according to some internet searches).

Be interested to see others thoughts on this (serious thoughts), or experience other than go empty and do all your food shopping abroad!

 

[Figaro]

Be interested to see others thoughts on this (serious thoughts), or experience other than go empty and do all your food shopping abroad!

I think that`ll be the only way to go unless you want to go as far as smuggling groceries in your lockers.
Thankfully France has an excellent selection of supermarkets

 

[ChrisL]

I just did a search for the word food in the trade agreement and there are 60 occurrences however none of them specifically address taking food in to the EU for personal consumption, so I would presume we will be like any other third party country and most items will be prohibited.

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[Lenny HB]

Why worry about it, take what you normally take. The chances of the van being searched are minimal and if it does happen and they confiscate it you have only lost a few quids worth of food.

Before we were fully in the EU we used to have the same restrictions often had stuff in our caravan fridge, we were never asked about food only alcohol.

 

[jumar]

We've flown into Oz and NZ a couple of times, strict checks were made when we arrived, a declaration had to be made and a search carried out....been that way for many years, searching all motorhomes/campervans and caravans would be a mammoth task.....not tusk, they are banned too...

 

[Carpmart]

There is a serious side to bio security and protecting the EU, although in practice, it’s unlikely they will have the personnel (or desire) to search every vehicle. One could also argue that the UK border is bio low risk compared to other borders, particularly based on our recent EU status.

This all comes down to your moral compass and your desire, or otherwise, to follow the rules?

 

[jongood]

We've flown into Oz and NZ a couple of times, strict checks were made when we arrived, a declaration had to be made and a search carried out....been that way for many years, searching all motorhomes/campervans and caravans would be a mammoth task.....not tusk, they are banned too...

There s a big difference between the borders of NZ and Oz and the UK to EU, as previously mentioned its more to do with upsetting the eco system like they did with toads and rabbits.

IMO the chances of them inspecting the contents of your fridge are remote, its like the rare occasions when they want to look inside the MH its usually more nosiness than anything else.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

We are just contemplating how the Brexit outcome will affect our MH continental trips post January 2020, and have been reading up on the constraints of taking food into the EU.

We usually cook a number of meals in advance and freeze them to get us through the first couple of weeks, (generally go for about 6-8 weeks) while enroute through France to our long stay destinations (Med, etc..), to save messing around enroute, keep costs down and we are also mainly plant based which is difficult to source on the continent. It appears that all meat and meat products, also Milk and dairy products (from milk) are prohibited from being imported (even for personal consumption). It also appears that vegetables and fruit are also banned (in their raw state), as these are classed as live plant or live plant products.

Don’t know if others have given thought to this, and what is and is not permitted? Example; can we take cooked vegan vegetable sauce prepared meals, with perhaps soya mince or plant based meat alternative products? How are these checked at border control? Is Soya milk permitted (EU legislation apparently banned the use of ‘milk’ wording on soya plant products - according to some internet searches).

Be interested to see others thoughts on this (serious thoughts), or experience other than go empty and do all your food shopping abroad!

Just do from day 1 that which you plan to do usually from day 15 to 56, and a side effect is that you are supporting the local communities that you are visiting more so than normal

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[Helen Ariel]

I wouldn't worry about cooked plant based stuff they would mainly be looking at meat, milk and fresh stuff veg if they bother.

If you're worried though take all your staples like dried or tinned pulses and beans, coconut milk, tofu etc and just buy the fresh fruit and veg when you arrive and cook fresh meals. Can't be much more hassle than having to prep it all and freeze beforehand.

I'm not veggie but I do like to eat healthy plant based, Asian style food a lot and was suprised how little there is to buy in the main supermarkets in France etc and Asian ingredients are very expensive. The bio shops are good for plant based but expensive.

 

[jongood]

We are keen on asian food and yes France is not good but a google can quite often find asian food shops in Spain.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Many years ago when you were regularly stopped at the Spanish border (La Jonquera) I arrived from the UK in a 'shed' of a Bedford CF with stuff for friends in Spain - paint, antifoul, a hot water cylinder, loads of stuff

The Guardia had a cursory look inside - not bothered but on the roof was a giant bundle of bamboo - a friend wanted to trim some fitted furniture with it.

"Why?" - they asked - "It grows here!"

I shrugged my shoulders, they did theirs and off I went...........

 

[buttons]

We are just contemplating how the Brexit outcome will affect our MH continental trips post January 2020, and have been reading up on the constraints of taking food into the EU.

We usually cook a number of meals in advance and freeze them to get us through the first couple of weeks, (generally go for about 6-8 weeks) while enroute through France to our long stay destinations (Med, etc..), to save messing around enroute, keep costs down and we are also mainly plant based which is difficult to source on the continent. It appears that all meat and meat products, also Milk and dairy products (from milk) are prohibited from being imported (even for personal consumption). It also appears that vegetables and fruit are also banned (in their raw state), as these are classed as live plant or live plant products.

Don’t know if others have given thought to this, and what is and is not permitted? Example; can we take cooked vegan vegetable sauce prepared meals, with perhaps soya mince or plant based meat alternative products? How are these checked at border control? Is Soya milk permitted (EU legislation apparently banned the use of ‘milk’ wording on soya plant products - according to some internet searches).

Be interested to see others thoughts on this (serious thoughts), or experience other than go empty and do all your food shopping abroad!

I would suggest tuning into the Australian customs series I guess Europe will have similar restrictions with fines for smuggling anything that goes into the mouth to eat.

 

[Coolcats]

This is from the Camping and Caravan Club site

You will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from 1 January 2021. There are some exceptions, e.g. certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

As a vegetarian the meat part has no effect on us

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[Barclaybasher]

I would suggest tuning into the Australian customs series I guess Europe will have similar restrictions with fines for smuggling anything that goes into the mouth to eat.

Doubt it - the Australians are paranoid about keeping pests out - we are not................ can you see them checking every fruit and veg truck?........... sanitising every vehicle? - I don't think so

 

[Coolcats]

Doubt it - the Australians are paranoid about keeping pests out - we are not................ can you see them checking every fruit and veg truck?........... sanitising every vehicle? - I don't think so

It’s a now a new world so they may just do it and if random checks done can you imagine the fines.

 

[buttons]

Doubt it - the Australians are paranoid about keeping pests out - we are not................ can you see them checking every fruit and veg truck?........... sanitising every vehicle? - I don't think so

Talking from a legal aspect, if you are happy to break the law that is up to the individual

 

[chaser]

Why are people still trying to find things that b....... Is going to cause motorhomers , nearly everything they have come up with yet just ain't going to happen, just go and enjoy , they want us there as much as we want to go.

 

[DelMar]

Supermarkets in France carry a good range of plant based foods and have for many years, together with soya milk. Gluten free range of food is also expanding in France and Spain, although I would not worry about taking certain food, until we know the details.

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[AXO66]

Just wonder about Spanish chorizo in it’s original packet , imported from Spain, sold in Aldi, and back to Spain via England and France , unopened.

Having said that , the EU web site is clear, so soya juice on Cereals with black coffee and croissant day one , then Aldi, pronto.

 

[orridge]

Why are people still trying to find things that b....... Is going to cause motorhomers , nearly everything they have come up with yet just ain't going to happen, just go and enjoy , they want us there as much as we want to go.

Like what?

What exactly do you think is not going to Happen now the deal is published for example? Pet Passports, Food into EU, 90 into 180 Days each of those is a change so to argue nothing is going to change they need us more than we need

 

[Coolcats]

Why are people still trying to find things that b....... Is going to cause motorhomers , nearly everything they have come up with yet just ain't going to happen, just go and enjoy , they want us there as much as we want to go.

I wouldn’t worry to much, it’s just making ourselves aware of what has changed and what we need to do. It’s not about EU countries not wanting us (in the same way we massively benefit from Tourists to this country) CCC outline what we need to do or not as the case maybe https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/useful-information/travelling-after-brexit/

(We won’t be able to use the fast lane for EU nationals either so a bit more patience will be required )

 

[dunnah01]

Why are people still trying to find things that b....... Is going to cause motorhomers , nearly everything they have come up with yet just ain't going to happen, just go and enjoy , they want us there as much as we want to go.

There is a growing list of things that will be different and all tourists, including motorhomers need to be aware of them. Whether they chose to abide by the new rules or not is down to their conscience but anybody wanting to bleat about getting caught out will get short shrift from me.

 

[jongood]

It’s a now a new world so they may just do it and if random checks done can you imagine the fines.

Still hanging on to project fear then.

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