You can carry food both in hand luggage and checked baggage. Keep in mind that food products should be contained in commercially branded packaging with the original seals unbroken. Some airlines may refuse the carriage of fresh products with short shelf-life, especially on a long-haul flight. If you bring food on board, you should be aware of the customs regulations in effect for your destination country.
Outside the European Union
If you are traveling to a country outside the European Union, you are usually not allowed to bring fresh products. Meat, dairy products, fruit, and vegetables also cannot be brought into EU countries if you are traveling from a country outside the European Union.
- Traveling with food is not prohibited by most airlines.
- If you wish to bring food, check the law before you travel. Read the regulations of your destination and transit countries – some of them, like the USA or Australia, prohibit bringing fresh food into their territory.
- When traveling to an EU country, you cannot bring milk, meat, or animal products from a country outside the EU.
- Food taken onboard must be packed in commercially branded packaging with an expiry date on it.
- The majority of airlines prohibit passengers from carrying products with a short shelf-life.
Remember!
Taking liquids in the hand luggage is restricted by the safety regulations. Liquids must be carried in 100ml containers. You’re limited to a total of 1 litre of liquid containers.
The list below is for information purposes only and it contains the information about carrying the products within the European Union.
Type of product | hand luggage | check-in luggage |
|---|---|---|
Home-made cakes | YES | YES |
Candies, biscuits, chocolate bars, crisps | YES | YES |
Infant food needed during travel | YES* | YES |
Sausages, ham, canned meat | YES | YES |
Stock cubes | YES | YES |
Honey | YES** | YES |
Fruit, vegetables, fresh herbs | YES | YES |
Products in cans or jars, including soups, sauces, jellies, spices, honey, chocolate | YES** | YES |
Liquid spices (e.g. Asian) | YES** | YES |
Powdered sauces, soups, jellies | YES | YES |
Parmesan-style hard cheese | YES | YES |
Preserves in jars (including jams and compote) | YES** | YES |
Dried mushroom in jars | YES | YES |
Solid food, like sandwiches, biscuits, cheese, cereal bars, nuts | YES | YES |
*Infant food, juice, water, milk – can be taken in hand luggage and there are no legal restrictions on quantity. However, you should report them during the safety check.
** Can be carried in containers up to 100ml.
