Taking meat & dairy products to France
Since Brexit we cannot take Meat, dairy products nor fruit etc across the border to France.
This morning I saw a "Border Patrol" (New Zealand) TV programme where a passenger was trying to enter the Country with a package containing fish. This is restricted and he was stopped, but the customs supervisor said that because it was frozen, he could enter the Country with it.
Would this apply to France? Can we take frozen food with us? This would be much more convenient than having to go shopping as soon as we land off the ferry.
Is anyone knowledgeable about this subject?
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You’ll find links and info supplied by the club HERE.
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It would appear that you can take fish into the EU up to 20kgs, whether frozen or not but I would make sure that it isn't contained in, say, a fish pie which would have dairy products in it. So some frozen cod or haddock and some frozen chips and a tin of mushy peas and away you go.
Mind you the French would probably confiscate the mushy peas as an affront to food but c'est la vie.
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I managed to get a contact e-mail address for the relevant European office, cannot recall how, and ask the specific question about frozen as opposed to fresh meat. I did this following the sausages and bacon to Ireland incident where these goods were allowed in if frozen and not fresh. The official answer is NO, you cannot take frozen meat in to Europe.
On a similar note, what you are allowed to take and what folk are actually taking differs. This has been covered in another post.
It would appear that checks are very hit and miss. Many holiday makers seem to be taking the limited basics you would have in the home fridge prior to a holiday, along with a couple of frozen meals for the first day or so. This level of rule breaking seems to be a "what you can afford" to be confiscated approach weighed against the convenience these basics offer after possibly a very long trip where you are to tired to do a first day shop.
Colin
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Bobnewey, if you really wish to take frozen fish to France then be bold and do it.. If the tracker dogs sniff it out the border guards won’t impound your motorhome and crush it, nor arrest you and put you in prison. If the worst happens and they confiscate the fish then buy some more when you stop for wine, beer and fuel. Relax
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Unless travelling on a Sunday, with a MH it’s easy enough to stock up before your stop for the first night. Even before covid I had a couple of Aires in mind at the appropriate distance and checked out a nearby supermarket on Google. Topped up with both fuel and food, then on the extra few Kms to the Aire.
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I am at a loss to understand all this apparent angst about restrictions on taking food. Yes, it may be a bit of a pain but as has been pointed out they do have shops in France.
Yes, they are often closed on a Sunday but if travelling there will be places to eat and if going straight to a site choose somewhere that has the same.
As a vanner I always plan my rest/fuel stops, as I don't want any access issues coming as a surprise and like Steve make good use of Google and Streetview in particular,so a shopping stop is just a small additional consideration.
If, as mentioned, you are too tired to shop maybe you should have planned differently?!
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I think that needs a few more commas!
https://www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein
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I imagine that most long distance travellers at this time of year will in part be using the motorways? Service Stations en route will at least have some basic food items so no one need starve?
David
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When we crossed via the tunnel at the beginning of September, there was no checks that we were aware of. However we were prepared to be checked so had left very little in the fridge and freezer that we couldn't do without if confiscated.
I made a shopping list of the items we would require for our first 24 hours.
We stopped once clear of Calais at a supermarket and did the shopping, it took about 30mins in total from our day. Not a lot of time in a days drive.
I used to travel with a full fridge and freezer, some meals made up for the journey as we take 2 over nights from home to get to Folkestone. I will continue to do so but as for the rest just buy it once there.
We had a morning crossing and would choose to travel at that time again so we can stop during the day and shop.
We never plan our routes or stops but just go with the flow. Oh and we don't eat out in France as a rule.
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I thought you could take a limited amount of fresh fruit and veg but cannot find it in this:-
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animals-products-trade-imports/personal-imports_en
Colin
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Could be on this page....right at the bottom of the table...........2kg per person
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/meat-dairy-animal/index_en.htm
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Could be, so that would mean for a couple, some tins of tuna and a 4kg allowance of fruit & veg, eggs and nothing that includes meat or dairy.
Colin
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