Carrying animal products, food or plants in the EU
If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
In this context, EU includes the 27 EU countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland.
These rules also apply when you carry meat, dairy or plant products in your luggage, or if you order these items online or have them sent by mail.
Warning
In cases of localised animal disease or pest outbreaks restrictions may apply to the type and amount of products you are allowed to carry.
Special rules for the Faroe Islands and Greenland
If you are travelling from the Faroe Islands or Greenland, you are allowed to bring small quantities of meat and dairy products for personal consumption. There are no quantity restrictions for fish or fish products.
| Product | Amount per person | Additional restrictions |
| Meat or meat products | 10 kg | None |
| Dairy or dairy products | 10 kg | None |
| Honey, eggs and egg products | 10 kg | None |
| Snails | 10 kg | None |
| Live bivalves (oysters, mussels) | 10 kg | None |
Exceptions – baby milk (powdered) and food, food for medical reasons, special pet feed
You can bring a limited amount (less than 10 kg) of powdered baby milk, baby food, foods required for medical reasons, or special pet feed as long as the:
- the product does not need refrigeration before use
- the product is in commercially branded packaging
- the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
Rules when travelling from a non-EU country
If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. You can however bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed.
| Product | Amount per person | Additional restrictions |
| Eviscerated fresh fishery products, or prepared or processed fishery products | 20 kg or 1 fish (whichever weighs most) | |
| Fishery products from the Faroe Islands or Greenland | | |
| Goods, other than plants for planting and other than fishery products, coming from the Faroe Islands or Greenland | | Their combined quantity does not exceed the weight limit of 10 kg |
| Plants or plant products including cut flowers | | A phytosanitary (plant health) certificate is required attesting that the product is free from certain specific pests |
| Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons | No more than 2 kg | - do not require refrigeration before opening
- are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer
- that the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
|
| Pet food required for health-related reasons | No more than 2 kg | - are intended for the pet accompanying the passenger
- are shelf-stable (do not require refrigeration)
- are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer
- that the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
|
| Products other than those described above which do not contain meat or milk (e.g. honey) | 2kg | None |
Checks when entering the EU
When arriving in the EU you may have to undergo official controls by the authorities. If you are carrying any meat or dairy products, which you have not declared they will be confiscated and destroyed, you may also be fined or face criminal prosecution.
Other animal derived products and plants
You may carry animal derived products - when you are travelling in the EU. However, most EU countries have strict rules on carrying endangered animals or plants or products derived from them, and in some cases, you may need a permit. For example, you may only carry 125g of sturgeon caviar; you will need a permit if you can more than this amount.
To find out about a specific species, you should always check the EU wildlife trade reference database. You can also contact the CITES authority in your country to find out if the species you want to travel with needs a permit.
FAQs
If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
Can you bring food from the US into Europe? ›
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not have specific restrictions on the amount of food that can be brought on board a plane from the US to Europe. Liquid food, such as soup or sauce, must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule though - and should be packed in a container that holds 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less.
Can you take food in your suitcase to Europe? ›
Products of animal origin can carry pa- thogens that cause dangerous infectious diseases. As a general rule, you cannot bring meat, meat products, milk and milk products (e.g. charcuterie, cheese, yogurt) into the EU. You must declare any animal products you have in your luggage and present them to Customs.
Can I bring plants from the US to Europe? ›
All regulated plants, plant products and other objects in passengers' personal luggage are prohibited from entry into the EU territory, unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Some exemptions apply.
Can I bring plants on a plane in Europe? ›
Generally, you can travel through the EU and to other EU countries with plants in your carry-on baggage if they were grown in the EU and are healthy, free of pests and are for your own personal use.
What items are not allowed in checked luggage in Europe? ›
Such articles would include: gases and sprays such as pepper sprays; sharp objects such as knives or razor blades; drills or saws; baseball bats or clubs.
What food can you take into Europe? ›
Taking food and drink into EU countries
You can no longer take products of animal origin, such as any food or drink contain meat or dairy, or plants and plant products into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person.
What food is not allowed in luggage? ›
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
What can I not bring to Europe? ›
Sharp objects: Everyday objects like a corkscrew knife, scissors, or a nail file will be taken from you through the security checkpoint. If you really need to travel with these items, it is best you pack them in your hold luggage. Explosives and inflammable items: Fireworks and aerosol paint are strictly forbidden.
Can I pack a suitcase full of food? ›
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.
Travelers may wrap plants in damp newspaper or similar material to prevent them from drying out. Roots may be secured in a plastic bag. Travelers who want to bring 13 or more plants must obtain an import permit from APHIS and mail or ship the plants directly to the nearest USDA Plant Inspection Station.
Can I bring plant cuttings on a plane? ›
Checked Bags: Yes
Check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.
How many plants can you bring on a plane? ›
Because bringing soil into the U.S. is prohibited, bringing plants inside soil is prohibited. However, you can still bring 12 or fewer plants if they meet the following conditions: Bare-rooted (the plants have no soil, sand, earth or other growing material)
Can I bring plants into France? ›
In most cases, you need to present a plant health certificate from the country of origin when travelling, and if you intend to use seedlings for planting out, then a plant health inspection is also required when entering the EU (you must declare them at the entry point for inspection).
Can I bring houseplants to Germany? ›
Restricted imports
If you nevertheless wish to bring in live plants, plant parts (e.g. cut flowers), fruits or seeds into Germany in your luggage for personal use, you must always carry a phytosanitary certificate for these goods from the country of origin.
What is the 3:1:1 rule in Europe? ›
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Do you have to declare food in checked luggage? ›
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.
Can you bring food when traveling internationally? ›
Checked Bags: Yes
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
