Carrying Food into France etc - THE DEFINITIVE ANSWER

[GMJ]

I think this has now been put to bed and it looks as though the rules on imports do not apply to items for personal use...

A member of Out&About Live has done some research and found out that it is not illegal to carry small amounts of foodstuff (dairy, meat etc) as long as it is for personal consumption.

The whole thread - shamelessly stolen from OAL - is here...

Taking fresh food into France | Motorhome Matters | Motorhomes Forum​

The chap in question (Bravo sir!) highlighted these areas....

4) Exemptions from official controls at border control posts for products which form part of travellers’ personal luggage, for products for consumption by the crew and passengers on board means of transport operating internationally,

(8) 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.



Animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts ...

(c) goods on board means of transport operating internationally which are not unloaded and are intended for consumption by the crew and passengers;

(d) goods which form part of passengers personal luggage and are intended for personal consumption or use;

So now hopefully we should be able to put to bed the speculation and hopefully this will be a boon for those of us who like to have a few bits and pieces on board until we can get to a French supermarket.

 

[REC]

Or just those who empty their fridge into the van before a long trip!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

And will be a boon for all those ex-pats (no names mentioned ey @Pauljenny ? ) who appear to like certain foodstuffs bringing over from the UK by erstwhile visitors

 

[yeoblade]

Taking animal products, food or plants with you​

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...ADTJZ-RPA-DQ3wLjjyqRdDIg7O0CecfEL92SZs2yMhXUc

Says no here!

Rules when travelling from a non-EU country​

If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you.

 

[GMJ]

Taking animal products, food or plants with you​

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...ADTJZ-RPA-DQ3wLjjyqRdDIg7O0CecfEL92SZs2yMhXUc

Says no here!

Rules when travelling from a non-EU country​

If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you.

I'll take your quote and raise you a...

(8) 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.

Obviously all as clear as mud.

So you pays your money and takes your choice or, as Harry says...Do you feel lucky?

 

[Boris7]

I’ve crossed over no end of times and never had an issue, don’t suppose lamb chops or cheese are high on the gendarme priority list.

 

[yeoblade]

Hey Punk take this:

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 of 10 October 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts,​

You're quoting pre-****** stuff.

Now get of your horse and drink your milk . In the nicest possible way of course

 

[colinm]

Taking animal products, food or plants with you​

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...ADTJZ-RPA-DQ3wLjjyqRdDIg7O0CecfEL92SZs2yMhXUc

Says no here!

Rules when travelling from a non-EU country​

If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you.

If you go part way down that page you will find this link to click on

• Commission Delegated Regulation on certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts, specific controls on passengers’ personal luggage

 

[GMJ]

Thanks Colin

Towards the top of your link there is an option to click on links for the latest up to date info updated on 27/06/22...i.e post ******:-


In force: This act has been changed. Current consolidated version: 27/06/2022

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2122/oj


If you click on the above, this then restates all the info that I provided in my OP and which is on the Out and About thread. Therefore I am comfortable that my OP is still valid and small amounts are allowed for personal consumption.

Each to their own I guess. We crossed through the tunnel back and forth 6 times last year with ne evidence of any interest of searches for food stuffs at all and I am comfortable having read the directives, that for small amounts that we would typically carry there is no breaking of any rules and certainly no stomach for the border guards to prosecute searches.

 

[yeoblade]

Thanks Colin

Towards the top of your link there is an option to click on links for the latest up to date info updated on 27/06/22...i.e post ******:-


In force: This act has been changed. Current consolidated version: 27/06/2022

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2122/oj


If you click on the above, this then restates all the info that I provided in my OP and which is on the Out and About thread. Therefore I am comfortable that my OP is still valid and small amounts are allowed for personal consumption.

Each to their own I guess. We crossed through the tunnel back and forth 6 times last year with ne evidence of any interest of searches for food stuffs at all and I am comfortable having read the directives, that for small amounts that we would typically carry there is no breaking of any rules and certainly no stomach for the border guards to prosecute searches.

Thanks GMJ & Colin I know now that I still can officially 'Bring home the Bacon' and will. I too have passed customs twice last year without inspection. A second homes in France forum I follow insists this is illegal and religiously empty all foodstuffs prior to entering France.

 

[Makzine]

Whether we are allowed to or not we have always taken a small quantity of food with us and as yet not been stopped or even asked to check the fridge. So we will continue to do so and as soon as we get to a supermarket over there we stock up on all the goodies. This is just our opinion of any rules people make up, each to your own.

 

[colinm]

One thing I would note, what the EU say can be imported, and what France decide are not the same thing, there is a recent thread on OAL where a couple had their meat confiscated.

 

[REC]

If you are really worried, print out the relevant section, translate into French and present politely to border officers if they question you or want to confiscate anything. Or just be prepared to throw it away....

 

[Wooie1958]

We go abroad with our fridge freezer packed solid then if needed we can carry on for quite a while without having to do a food shop.

If we get stopped then so be it, we`ll get rid and restock.

 

[GMJ]

We go abroad with our fridge freezer packed solid then if needed we can carry on for quite a while without having to do a food shop.

If we get stopped then so be it, we`ll get rid and restock.

Exactly the same as we do Graham.

 

[mark61]

I like food shopping. Rarely go more than 2 or 3 days without visiting shops. Do have a stash incase stranded up in mountains or stranded anywhere where shops are too far away.

 

[GMJ]

We enjoy it too and when we are ensconced on sites in Spain, we tend to go every day for fresh bread. When travelling though we tend to hit a supermarket like you every 2-3 days. On our trip down to Spain we go to a supermarket in Bordeaux as our first French shop after 3 nights away.

 

[colinm]

We go abroad with our fridge freezer packed solid then if needed we can carry on for quite a while without having to do a food shop.

If we get stopped then so be it, we`ll get rid and restock.

That's similar to what we do, the fridge is loaded with enough food to get us into our travels before needing to shop.

 

[TJBi]

If you are really worried, print out the relevant section, translate into French and present politely to border officers if they question you or want to confiscate anything. Or just be prepared to throw it away....

Not sure how you intend to translate into French and then convince officials that it is an accurate translation. Far better to simply use the official web page in the relevant language (selectable top right of the page). The French language version is at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2122/oj?locale=fr#

 

[REC]

Not sure how you intend to translate into French and then convince officials that it is an accurate translation. Far better to simply use the official web page in the relevant language (selectable top right of the page). The French language version is at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2122/oj?locale=fr#

Missed the "d" off translated!