UK warns travelers on EU food

Britain’s government has warned travelers arriving from the European Union that food items many passengers treat as routine holiday purchases can be banned at the border. UK guidance says people entering Great Britain from EU countries cannot bring in most meat and all dairy products for personal use, including sandwiches, cheese, cured meats and milk. The restrictions apply in England, Scotland and Wales, according to GOV.UK. Border Force can seize banned items, and undeclared products can trigger fines or prosecution. ### Which foods are actually banned when you arrive from the EU? GOV.UK says travelers from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland face restrictions because of “recent and ongoing animal disease outbreaks in the EU.” The government’s food guidance says passengers cannot bring in cheese, milk and dairy products such as butter and yoghurt, along with pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat and venison, plus products made from those meats such as sausages. (gov.uk) The April 11, 2025 government announcement spelled out how that applies in practice. Defra said the ban covers “items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk” even if they are packed, packaged or bought at duty free. ### Why did the UK tighten the rule? (gov.uk) The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said on April 11, 2025 that it expanded the ban to all EU countries after a rising number of foot-and-mouth disease cases in Europe. The department said the measure was intended to protect British livestock, farmers and food security. (gov.uk) Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro, the UK’s deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, said the restrictions were extended because foot-and-mouth disease had been detected in EU countries, increasing the risk of introduction into Great Britain. The government says the disease poses no risk to humans, but it is highly contagious in cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. (gov.uk) ### Does this apply everywhere in the UK? GOV.UK says the personal food-import rules in question apply to Great Britain, meaning England, Scotland and Wales. The government’s overview page says there are different rules for bringing food or animal products into Northern Ireland. The April 2025 press release also said the new restrictions “apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain” and are not imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. (gov.uk) ### What happens if a traveler has the wrong food in a bag? (gov.uk) GOV.UK says Border Force officers will take away and destroy banned food products if a traveler declares them at customs. If a passenger does not declare banned food, the government says that person could be fined up to £5,000 in England or could be prosecuted. (gov.uk) Border Force can also seize products if officers believe they were brought into the country illegally, if a traveler has too much of a restricted product, or if the items have been cross-contaminated, according to the guidance. GOV.UK says travelers who are unsure should speak to a Border Force officer in the red channel or use the red point phone at customs. (gov.uk) ### Are any foods still allowed? GOV.UK says some foods can still be brought into Great Britain without restriction from any country, including bread, cakes without fresh cream, biscuits, chocolate, pasta, packaged soup, packaged salads and food supplements such as fish-oil capsules. The same page says plain bread is allowed, but sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products are not. (gov.uk) The meat-and-dairy guidance also says travelers from the EU can still bring in fish, poultry, eggs and honey for personal use. It allows up to 2 kilograms per person of powdered infant milk, infant food or medically necessary special food if it does not need refrigeration before use and remains in branded, unopened packaging unless already in use. (gov.uk) ### Where should travelers check before they fly? GOV.UK has a dedicated “Bringing food into Great Britain” guide that sets out the current restrictions by product type and origin. The government also provides a separate page explaining what happens if travelers break the rules, including seizure, appeals and possible penalties. (gov.uk) The rules were still listed on GOV.UK as of May 14, 2026, and the government’s April 11, 2025 announcement remains the clearest statement of why the ban was extended to all EU countries. Travelers arriving in England, Scotland or Wales can check those pages before departure or speak to Border Force on arrival if they are unsure about a product. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2)