What You Can and Can Not Bring into the UK: From Cured Meats to Cheese

In response to the growing threat of Foot and Mouth Disease, the UK government has introduced new restrictions on personal imports from the EU. Here's what travellers need to know.

New UK Travel Rules: Ban on Personal Meat and Dairy Imports from Europe

Travellers arriving from the EU and other European countries are now prohibited from bringing a range of meat and dairy products into Great Britain, as part of new government measures to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Effective from Saturday,April 12, the ban covers personal imports of meat from cows, sheep, goats, and pigs, along with dairy items such as milk, cheese, and products containing these ingredients — including sandwiches and cured or raw meats.The restrictions apply regardless of packaging, point of purchase (including duty-free), or country of origin within the EU.

These rules apply to travellers entering Great Britain but do not affect personal imports from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

If you’re planning a trip and unsure about what you can bring back, here’s what you need to know.

WhatAre the New Rules?

Travellers returning to Great Britain from EU countries are now prohibited from bringing meat from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as dairy products, for personal use.

The government introduced these measures to help protect British livestock, safeguard farmers' livelihoods, and to ensure the UK’s food security, following a rise in Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) cases across Europe.

Banned items include:

● Sandwiches with meat or cheese fillings

● Cheeses

● Cured meats

● Raw meat

● Milk

This expanded ban builds on earlier restrictions targeting personal imports from countries such as Hungary, Germany,Austria, and Slovakia, where outbreaks of FMD have already been confirmed.

Which Food ItemsAre Banned?

Travellers are no longer allowed to bring the following items into Great Britain from the EU, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland — regardless of packaging, purchase location (including duty-free), or origin:

● Pork

● Beef

● Lamb and mutton

● Venison

● Any products made from these meats (e.g. sausages)

● Milk and dairy products such as butter, cheese, and yoghurt

Exceptions:

You may bring up to 2kg per person of the following, provided the items are in branded, unopened packaging (unless in use), and do not require refrigeration before use:

● Powdered infant milk

● Infant food

Can I bring pet food into the UK?

Pig, cow, sheep, goat and deer products that are not for human consumption, such as pet food containing pig meat, are also banned.Travellers may bring 2kg per person of special pet food needed for medical reasons if it does not need to be refrigerated before use and is in branded, unopened packaging, unless it is in current use.