Taking food supplies to Spain
Comments
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AD, advice in Macbeth Act1, Scene 7.
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Geejay, I can recommend a Lidl[n43.44332 w3.85456] that is just a short drive from the Santander quay. Our Rimor is 7.0 metres and we've always found parking easy at the Lidl store. We once tried the Carrefour at Alisal[n43.4580060 w3.8619212] but the parking was difficult to access.
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Hi all,
Like many on this blog I had thought it was illegal to take meat or dairy foods or their products. I am in Spain now and we travelled from home with an empty fridge and freezer. It wasn’t that easy to find a food shop either as we were on toll roads, but we did eventually find a little ALDI.
Anyway, we are going to Italy in May and sitting in the awning in Bonterra Park the subject came up again; do we risk it or not. I thought that this is too ridiculous and after a bit of Googling I found the reference number of the EU Commission document and took the time to read it in detail and there is an exemption in the small print that it is legal to take enough food for passengers and pets own use. The EU document Reference No is: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 and reads:
Pursuant to Article 48(d) and (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, products which form part of passenger’s personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption or use and small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market should be exempted from official controls at border control posts. Concerning small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market, Member States should carry-out risk-based controls. The possible risk of introducing pathogenic agents or diseases into the Union through the introduction of products of animal origin should be considered in measures regulating the introduction of such consignments or products.
So in May our fridge and freezer will be packed with M&S dinners and snacks to enjoy on-route in France and Italy.
BillC
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We don’t exactly travel light, but never considered the fridge or freezer as “personal luggage”!
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When you read the Regulations in full they start out in bold saying no dairy or meat.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/meat-dairy-animal/index_en.htm
The earlier mentioned quotation then appears which is obviously contradictory.
This may be because it refers to goods across the EU states and not entering the EU from a non EU country. It is confusing.
Further reading says you need to read the document as a whole without any section in isolation.
So still confused and seeking a definitive official answer, I've e-mailed the address below for clarification:-
https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en
Colin
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It is very contradictory.
The post made by KB states border control posts, which do not exist in the Schengen area so for the vast majority (I think only Cyprus and Ireland not in it and EU members) the quoted regulation won't apply to them, one would think. Which would lead one to believe that it solely applies to Other countries such as the UK. The fact that it also states personal consumption must mean food and drink.
However a reply to EribaM will hopefully clarify everything (some fat chance). All it then needs is all border control staff to know what the heck the regulations mean (another fat chance).
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So, when we cross to France on Eurotunnel with French cheese in the fridge and Golden Delicious apples the customs are going to inspect and confiscate whilst creating a long queue of caravans and motorhomes, everyone saying “avoid France next year”. I don’t think so some how. It’s a stupid regulation and will be treated in the same way that various parts of Europe treat similar daft regulations. I know what we will be doing but we Brits are good at complying with rules so I guess many people will suffer the inconvenience.
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I have just received this reply.
Dear Mr Motteram,
Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.
Following your enquiry, we wish to inform you that if you are travelling in the European Union (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.
You will find further general information in this regard at the following pages:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/tr...al/index_en.htm
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal...onal-imports_en
If you are still unsure about the possibility to bring your product(s), we invite you to directly contact the national customs authorities in the country of destination:
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/cu...inistrations_enWe hope you find this information useful. Please contact us again if you have other questions about the European Union, its activities or institutions.
Created on: 2022-04-05 09:48:05
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This was in response to my original e-mail:-
The guidelines say no dairy or meat may be brought into Europe from the UK.
I have however found this-The EU document Reference No is:_
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 and reads:_Pursuant to Article 48(d) and (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, products which form part of passenger’s personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption or use and small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market should be exempted from official controls at border control posts. Concerning small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market, Member States should carry-out risk-based controls. The possible risk of introducing pathogenic agents or diseases into the Union through the introduction of products of animal origin should be considered in measures regulating the introduction of such consignments or products.
Your above statement reads that you can take meat and dairy for personal consumption.
Can you please clarify.Thank you - Colin
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My take on the reply is I have specifically asked from the UK and answer has come back that you can take meat and dairy.
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Thank you Colin. It might put an end to the nonsense posted on forums about arrests, fines, and cars being impounded or crushed - though somehow I doubt it.
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But, on the other hand, it may not as it clearly talks about "in Europe", then defines Europe which does not include the UK??
I think most folk will make their own decision-my original outbound via Hook of Holland would possibly be more risky than new plan via Roscoff.
Having said that we usually just take whats in the fridge, rather than bin it, and maybe some bacon and cant see that changing for us.
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They do;
"There are restrictions on the food that you can carry into the EU. You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into the EU; there are some exceptions, e.g. certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, special food or pet food required for medical reasons. You cannot take plants including fruit and vegetables with the exception of bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians. Check the rules on the European Commission website. When returning to the UK you can currently bring these products with you for personal consumption but always check for the most up to date information on GOV.UK"
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I was surprised by the answer as:-
"I have specifically asked from the UK and answer has come back you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption"
I will carry the e-mail in full. It would be interesting to see what would kick off at 04.:30 in the Port of Dover if I produced it. The content is still open to interpretation.
Colin
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"I will carry the e-mail in full. It would be interesting to see what would kick off at 04.:30 in the Port of Dover if I produced it. The content is still open to interpretation."
Hi Colin, Its difficult to avoid the age old problem of seeing what you want to see, rather than what is written, and even more so when the meaning of something can appear different to different people!
Re the emails, I have two from Brittany Ferries re height supplements BUT as you have pointed out no email is going to help when you are met with, for whatever reason, someone who sees things differently to you and simply says no.
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