Can I bring meat, dairy and other food into Great Britain from the EU or outside Europe?

The short answer

GOV.UK says you cannot bring most meat or any dairy into Great Britain for personal use from the EU, and from outside the EU you cannot bring meat, meat products, milk or milk products. There are exemptions such as powdered infant milk and medical food. This page covers arrival in Great Britain only, not entry into the EU.

From the EU and nearby countries

The GOV.UK meat and dairy page covers the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. It says cheese, milk and dairy products such as butter and yoghurt are not allowed, nor are pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat and venison or products made from them, such as sausages. Fish, poultry and products made from them, and other animal products such as eggs and honey, are allowed with no weight limit given.

A GOV.UK news release says the ban on cattle, sheep, goat and pig meat and dairy for personal use applies to all EU countries from Saturday 12 April 2025, including sandwiches, cheese and cured meats, and including items bought duty free. It says certain composite products such as chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be permitted. It also says the restrictions apply to travellers arriving in Great Britain, not those arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. The meat page itself does not mention foot and mouth, so use both sources together.

From outside the EU

The page says meat or meat products, and milk or milk-based products, are not allowed, except powdered infant milk, infant food or special medical food.

• Up to 2kg per person: honey, live mussels or oysters, preserved or cooked snails, frogs' legs (hind part, skin and organs removed), insect protein, and powdered infant milk, infant food or medical food.
• Up to 20kg per person in total for fish, including fresh gutted fish, processed fish and lobsters and prawns.
• Caviar is not allowed without a CITES permit.

Infant and medical food

From the EU, up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, infant food or special medical food is allowed. It must not need refrigeration before use and must be in branded, unopened packaging unless in current use.

Penalties and checking

The news release says affected items must be surrendered at the border or will be seized and destroyed, and that in serious cases fines of up to £5,000 apply in England. we did not read an official page on food rules for entering the EU, so check the EU and national customs pages. Rules change, so check the official GOV.UK page before you travel.

Sources: GOV.UK: Bringing food into Great Britain, meat, dairy, fish and animal products, GOV.UK: Ban on personal meat imports extended to all EU countries. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.

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