France & food.

[Winterskp]

I thought this had been put to bed a couple of years ago. I copied this from the forum then, and have no reason to doubt it.

"This is from EU law: it seems that there should be no problems taking food for own consumption into Europe

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."

I know no-one who has ever had food confiscated entering the EU

 

[granth]

We live in France but travel via Dover UK about three times a year. Other than the security shed at Dover, never been checked for anything other than passports.
We always have back bacon with us as only very thin streak bacon for sale in France and Germany! And 100,s of PG tips teabags.
A point to remember is that post ****** alcohol and tobacco are back to international limits of one bottle spirit and 200 cigarettes per person. Just in case , my liquor cabinet never has unopened bottles in it !

 

[Scotia]

I never gave taking drink over a thought last summer, I took 40 ltr of beer Co2 dispensing system and cooler.

 

[GMJ]

We live in France but travel via Dover UK about three times a year. Other than the security shed at Dover, never been checked for anything other than passports.
We always have back bacon with us as only very thin streak bacon for sale in France and Germany! And 100,s of PG tips teabags.
A point to remember is that post ****** alcohol and tobacco are back to international limits of one bottle spirit and 200 cigarettes per person. Just in case , my liquor cabinet never has unopened bottles in it !

I'm not sure where you got that from but it's spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 4 litres plus the 200 cigarettes as you say.

Bringing goods into the UK for personal use

Bringing in goods for personal use when you travel to the UK from abroad - types of tax and duty, duty free, EU and non-EU arrivals, banned and restricted goods.

www.gov.uk

 

[Rumour]

So I have to wonder, if breaking import laws is OK, what other laws to people break knowingly? I guess we all do it to some extent and we all have our limits, but where is the line drawn? Our line drawn, milk for our tea, normally in sachets from Mc.Donalds! (You can see where my line is!)

On Facebook, one guy moaned about getting caught with food products, on the front seat of his campervan in a cool box. When he was told that it was stupid to be so blatant, he just said that the French have it in for "us and always have"! I can't begin to imagine which way he voted

 

[merl]

I'm not sure where you got that from but it's spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 4 litres plus the 200 cigarettes as you say.

Bringing goods into the UK for personal use

Bringing in goods for personal use when you travel to the UK from abroad - types of tax and duty, duty free, EU and non-EU arrivals, banned and restricted goods.

www.gov.uk

Nice link. Worth noting that if you exceed your allowance you have to pay duty on everything, not just the small amount over the limit.

 

[barryd]

I would never keep my firearms in a drawer.

Always ready for use by the bed, there are so many axe murderers about these days.

My phones hot spot name is "Mad Axe Murderer". If you see it when wilding or on an Aire its too late!! Mwhahahahaaa!!

 

[merl]

My phones hot spot name is "Mad Axe Murderer". If you see it when wilding or on an Aire its too late!! Mwhahahahaaa!!

And if that doesn't get you the place to yourself then you start singing eh Barry?

 

[barryd]

And if that doesn't get you the place to yourself then you start singing eh Barry?

No need. Just leave the guitar on a seat outside with a load of empty Tramp lager tins scattered around and that will do it!

 

[GMJ]

Nice link. Worth noting that if you exceed your allowance you have to pay duty on everything, not just the small amount over the limit.

Yes that is a goodly point you make. I looked into bring a load of cheap Spanish gin in one year however the duty would have made it more expensive than Gordons from Tesco's!

 

[merl]

No need. Just leave the guitar on a seat outside with a load of empty Tramp lager tins scattered around and that will do it!

Often thought about having some dog barking or child screaming recorded onto memory stick for when someone goes to set up right next to us even though there's a stack of room right at other end of the park up.

 

[barryd]

Often thought about having some dog barking or child screaming recorded onto memory stick for when someone goes to set up right next to us even though there's a stack of room right at other end of the park up.

I wasnt joking about the guitar! I know exactly what you mean. Empty Aire or wild spot, you park in a corner and someone will come and park right next to you. Ive deployed the guitar, sat in the lounge and literally watched them come in, make a beeline for us and at the last minute swerve and move to the other end of the aire.

 

[witzend]

Often thought about having some dog barking or child screaming recorded onto memory stick for when someone goes to set up right next to us even though there's a stack of room right at other end of the park up.

Good idea will get that sett up before next trip

 

[Robmac]

Often thought about having some dog barking or child screaming recorded onto memory stick for when someone goes to set up right next to us even though there's a stack of room right at other end of the park up.

Green Mankini Merl.

Never fails apparently.

 

[alcam]

I wasnt joking about the guitar! I know exactly what you mean. Empty Aire or wild spot, you park in a corner and someone will come and park right next to you. Ive deployed the guitar, sat in the lounge and literally watched them come in, make a beeline for us and at the last minute swerve and move to the other end of the aire.

Guitar makes them move to a different pitch .
Bagpipes makes them move to a different aire

 

[TJBi]

<snip>

I don't know where the border controls are if sailing from Portsmouth or Poole.

On those routes, French border controls are in France.

 

[ChrisCross]

Hi Everybody,
We are planning a trip to France in Feb. via the Tunnel. Post ****** I would like to know peoples experience with the French customs with regard to taking food e.g. meat (bacon) dairy, (cheddar) & specialist dog food. Are they strict & check the van, are you just waived through, or is there a random check. Ant info appreciated.
Have a great New Year!

Never been searched or asked. We are touring Germany and France now. We always take our favourite sausages, bacon and precooked dishes.milk and Several tubs of Clover Light. No problem if it’s for your own consumption. We brought enough to last us the 5 weeks. We also shop local for anything else we desire, cheeses etc.

 

[REC]

There have been lots of threads on this quoting the actual regs which were amended to make it clearer. As long as food is for personal consumption and not for resale it is allowed. Never been checked ourselves and we always empty our fridge from home into the van before leaving for a trip.

 

[JQB]

Really don't see the point of taking any grub over to France apart from milk for a cuppa if you arrive late or early, going into a French supermarket is a joy to behold, an absolutely unbelievable choice of everything and on a similar if not cheaper scale than the UK.

If you arrive in France in the dead of night sat into sun with no food, when do you eat breakfast or lunch come to that?

 

[JQB]

Hi Everybody,
We are planning a trip to France in Feb. via the Tunnel. Post ****** I would like to know peoples experience with the French customs with regard to taking food e.g. meat (bacon) dairy, (cheddar) & specialist dog food. Are they strict & check the van, are you just waived through, or is there a random check. Ant info appreciated.
Have a great New Year!

Still on the subject of food into the EU, but Ireland (eire), does anyone have experiences of being asked, searched, confiscation?