New rules mean a series of items are now banned from your luggage
As millions of Britons prepare to jet off on their summer holidays, London Luton Airport has issued a social media warning for travellers returning to Great Britain, cautioning that some may be unknowingly carrying souvenirs and holiday gifts that are actually ‘illegal’ to have in their luggage.
The alert specifically flagged four types of meat and meat-related products. These items are restricted due to the risk that they could carry contagious animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, which can survive in the meat and bones of deceased animals for considerable periods of time.
According to the official Government rules, travellers coming back from the EU cannot bring:
- cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
- pork
- beef
- lamb
- mutton
- goat
- venison
- other products made from these meats, for example sausages
When travelling back from the EU, you are permitted to bring certain fish, poultry or other animal products such as eggs or honey, provided they are for personal use. Powdered milk and specialist foods required for medical reasons may also be permitted, but only under specific conditions, such as being in unopened and branded packaging.
Travellers who breach these rules and attempt to bring back banned food products can declare them to Border Force officers at customs, who will confiscate the items for destruction.
Failing to declare banned food products could result in a fine of up to £5,000 in England, or even potential prosecution, according to Government guidance.
Border Force officers are also allowed to take away your products if they believe:
- You’ve brought it into the country illegally
- You have too much of a restricted product
- It’s been cross-contaminated
The guidance adds: “If you’re not sure about any of the products you’re bringing in, speak to a Border Force officer in the ‘red channel’ at customs or on the red point phone.”
Different rules apply if you’re travelling to Great Britain from a country outside of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, or if you are arriving in Northern Ireland.
However, the following items can be brought into Great Britain without any restrictions:.
- bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
- cakes without fresh cream
- biscuits
- chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
- pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
- packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
- processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
- food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules
A full list of other restricted and banned items stemming from different countries can be found on the Gov.uk website.
