Can you bring cheese back from France to UK?
You are not allowed to bring in any meat or dairy products to the UK. However, if you are travelling from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland, you are allowed up to 10kg combined weight per person.
Cheese - Solid cheese that does not contain meat are admissible. Liquid milk and milk products intended for use by infants or very young children are admissible if in a reasonable amount or small quantity for several days.
Products of animal origin can carry pa- thogens that cause dangerous infectious diseases. As a general rule, you cannot bring meat, meat products, milk and milk products (e.g. charcuterie, cheese, yogurt) into the EU. You must declare any animal products you have in your luggage and present them to Customs.
You cannot bring in: meat or meat products. milk or milk-based products, except powdered infant milk, infant food or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons.
Travelling from the EU? The rules are simple: Border Force UK, the Government's law enforcement agency, states that you are free to bring back any meat, dairy or other animal products you wish, including shellfish and honey, from any country within the European Union to the UK.
Yes, all food items and products must be declared when entering the U.S. You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.
Solid cheese is fine as long as it doesn't contain meat (such as bacon cheddar cheese). Soft cheeses such as Brie and mozzarella are allowed, but liquid cheeses, including cottage and ricotta, aren't allowed if they came from countries with foot-and-mouth disease.
Travel from France to the UK
You can bring meat, fish, cheese, and other animal products into the UK, as well as most fresh produce. Items bought in the EU and imported to the UK are free from customs duties and VAT as long as they fall within your personal allowance of up to £390 per person (for adults).
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Some food and plant products are also restricted if they:
- are not free from pests and diseases.
- are not for your own use.
- were not grown in the EU.
Flying with cheese
Let's start with what the TSA has to say… ~ Blocks of cheese, shredded cheese and cheese curds can go in either your carry-on luggage or your checked baggage, whichever works better for you. The great news is that you can bring as much cheese as you can fit in your bags!
Can I bring cheese in flight to UK?
Holidaymakers are much better off packing any soft cheeses in their hold luggage to avoid confiscation. Fortunately, hard cheese is not a problem and can travel in your hand luggage if necessary.
Agricultural products. Meat, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products are not allowed in hand luggage because of restrictions set by the European Union. Animal products such as meat, cheese, sausage, and lard cannot be carried on a flight.

If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
- bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products.
- cakes without fresh cream.
- biscuits.
- chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients.
It is important that you declare any food products that you are bringing in from outside the EU. If you are unsure about any of the food products you are bringing in, speak to a Customs Officer in the red channel or on the red point phone.
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.
Meats, Livestock and Poultry: The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.
You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat). If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance. You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.
Checked Bags: Yes
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
Creamy cheeses are considered liquids, so make sure that you've got 3.4 ounces or less if you're bringing on something like brie or goat cheese. Or, make your plane snacks a little less bougie and bring string cheese instead.
Can you pass cheese through the airport?
There is no limit to the quantity of solid cheese you can bring in your carry-on: You can pack as much solid cheese as you'd like and will fit into your allowable hand luggage. Creamy and spreadable cheeses, on the other hand, can only pass through airport security in individual quantities of 3.4 ounces or less.
As long as it's for your personal consumption—not for resale—you can bring almost any European cheese into the U.S. It doesn't need to be vacuum-sealed. Packaging has nothing to do with whether a Customs agent will seize it. Even stinky raw-milk cheeses are welcome here.
Koster recommends packing soft cheeses in a Tupperware-like box, wrapped in aluminum foil. “A cooling bag is sensible for the smell,” she adds.
- Here are some great French souvenirs to buy in Paris: Chocolates, macarons, and pastries: There are so many delicious sweets in Paris that it can be hard to choose! ...
- Caramels au Beurre Salé ...
- Canned Sardines. ...
- Fleur De Sel. ...
- Rice from Camargue. ...
- French Lentils. ...
- Dijon Mustard. ...
- Best French Chocolates.
Only hard, semi-soft, and pasteurized cheeses are allowed over US borders to live the American dream of being eaten on a Wheat Thin. Raclette, emmental, comté, brie, camembert are among those welcome, along with many other milk-based products like yogurt and butter.
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
- 4 litres of still wine.
- 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs that are less than 22% volume.
- 16 litres of beer.
- Jewelry, Watches or Perfume from Van Cleef and Arpels. ...
- Macarons. ...
- Sel de Geurande. ...
- Mustard (Dijon) ...
- Fois Gras. ...
- Cheese. ...
- Chocolate. ...
- White Cafe-Esque Dishes at La Vaissellerie.
Important: you must declare to Customs any goods in excess of €150, €300, or €430 (see table opposite) that you are carrying, and pay the corresponding duties and taxes. The customs declaration may be oral or written, depending on the goods and their value.
You cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a 'phytosanitary' (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you're leaving.
Hard cheese (e.g. cheddar) and semi-soft cheese (e.g. brie) are not subject to volume restrictions. Cheese that is in a container with more than 100 ml of liquid (e.g. feta or mozzarella) must be packed in checked baggage.
Can I backpack with cheese?
Instead, purchase semi-firm, firm, or aged cheeses with lower moisture content. They're sturdier, and I've safely backpacked with them to no ill effect. You should also forgo bringing cheese with you if it's an extremely hot day, as even harder cheeses will sweat and grow flabby—not appetizing.
You can take any food and drink you like in your hand luggage, as long as there are no hot drinks. You can carry liquid baby foods or baby milk that is either pre-packaged or made up at home and you can also carry foods for special dietary requirements as long as it is essential for the flight or holiday.
Food and powders
Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.
Keep them in durable containers, wrapped in plastic, and then wrapped again. Tin foil offers protection: Unless we're talking about blue cheese, I tend not to wrap cheese directly in foil. But if you use foil around the wrapping that's already in place, it can offer a nice buffer during a bumpy ride.
*Confectionery, chocolate or cakes (including Christmas cake, Simnel cake or cakes containing nuts) are permitted from any country as long as they are for your personal consumption and do not contain fresh cream or high levels of dairy products.
The following goods are banned completely regardless of country of origin: illicit drugs, offensive weapons such as flick and gravity knives, self-defense sprays such as pepper and CS gas sprays, indecent and obscene material, rough diamonds, and personal imports of meat and dairy products.
Taking food and drink into the EU
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.
The rules allow you to take food bought before security on board, as long as is not "liquid or semi-liquid" like yoghurt, jam, soup, honey or syrups. A sandwich, salad, cake or pasty should be fine. Essentially, if it's got a lot of liquid, don't bring it.
Unpasteurized or raw milk cheeses are prohibited, but the popular cheese varieties in the Netherlands—like Gouda and Edam—are fine.
Can I take food through airport security? Cakes, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and all other completely solid food are fine to take through UK airport security. However, there are a number of items that you need to treat as liquids.
What food must be declared at customs?
All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.
You can carry cakes, fruit, vegetables, sandwiches and all solid foods in your hand baggage. However, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) cannot come through security. The size of container must not exceed 100ml, regardless of the amount contained inside.
any food type is fine but make sure good packing as far as it is not containing any liquid which can spoil your baggage and this is same policy for all airlines.
Travel from France to the UK
You can bring meat, fish, cheese, and other animal products into the UK, as well as most fresh produce. Items bought in the EU and imported to the UK are free from customs duties and VAT as long as they fall within your personal allowance of up to £390 per person (for adults).
There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad.
European Union (EU)
You can bring an unlimited amount of most goods into the UK, for example, you can bring in any alcohol, tobacco, meat and dairy products – as long as they are for your own use and transported by you. 'Own use' means for your own consumption or gifts.
If you are travelling within the EU, you can bring in any food products – as long as they are free from diseases and for your own consumption. But if you are travelling from a country outside the EU, many animal products are banned – with a few exceptions detailed opposite.
Alcohol allowance
You can bring in: beer - 42 litres. wine (still) - 18 litres.
In particular, the following must be declared (list not exhaustive): cash (banknotes and coins), negotiable instruments that are in bearer form or endorsable (such as traveller's cheques, bank cheques and bearer bonds) and all types of commercial papers (promissory notes, money orders, etc.).
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. You can however bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey.
Can I take biscuits to France from UK?
You can also bring in items containing products of plant origin but processed, crushed, powdered, cooked etc... so that would inlude eg. biscuits and baked beans (however it may be safer to put the latter in hold luggage however, in case considered too 'liquid' for cabin rules).
Most travellers can bring other goods into the UK worth up to £390 (e.g. perfume and electrical goods) without paying duty and/or tax in the UK. However, passengers travelling by private plane or boat for pleasure purposes are only entitled to an allowance of £270 worth of goods.
- Here are some great French souvenirs to buy in Paris: Chocolates, macarons, and pastries: There are so many delicious sweets in Paris that it can be hard to choose! ...
- Caramels au Beurre Salé ...
- Canned Sardines. ...
- Fleur De Sel. ...
- Rice from Camargue. ...
- French Lentils. ...
- Dijon Mustard. ...
- Best French Chocolates.
References
- https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-travel-with-cheese/
- https://www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/uploads/files/Documentations-Brochures/Langues-etrangeres/Trouble-free-travel-with-french-customs.pdf
- https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/meat-dairy-animal/index_en.htm
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food
- https://frenchly.us/french-products-can-bring-us-customs/
- https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/food-and-drink/photos/10-foods-you-can-and-cant-bring-into-the-u-s
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1310?language=en_US
- https://www.gpsmycity.com/articles/58-paris-souvenirs-19-distinctively-french-products-to-bring-home-from-paris.html
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/946504/6.7005__SE_CUS_v3.pdf
- https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/united-kingdom-prohibited-restricted-imports
- https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/item/hard-cheese-and-semi-soft-cheese
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/531747/UK_customs_leaflet.pdf
- https://easycdg.com/passenger-information/duty-free-tax-free-regulations-cdg-airport/
- https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions
- https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/can-i-take-food-and-drink-in-my-hand-luggage-when-flying-with-airlines-easyjet-ryanair-and-tui-3699609
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/local-laws-and-customs
- https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/can-you-take-cheese-on-a-plane
- https://monpanierlatin.co.uk/blogs/mpl-blog/list-of-french-food
- https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/banned-and-restricted-goods
- https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/g4213/foods-banned-on-airplanes/
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/may-i-pack-food-my-carry-or-checked-bag
- https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/newcastle-airport-food-security-luggage-23463387
- https://www.tripsavvy.com/importing-from-the-netherlands-to-usa-1456431
- https://www.renardscheese.com/our-store-and-products/cheese-curds-our-store-and-products/tips-for-traveling-with-cheese/
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states
- https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain
- https://www.janetfletcher.com/blog/2022/9/5/before-you-travel-with-cheese-know-the-regs
- https://www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2021-03/10/travellers-what-kinds-of-food-and-plants-can-you-bring-with-you.pdf
- https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/personal-food-imports-checks-and-penalties
- https://www.budgetair.co.uk/blog/prohibited-items-in-hand-luggage
- https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/security-advice/
- https://www.msrgear.com/blog/backpacking-with-cheese/
- https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain/meat-dairy-fish-animal-products
- https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1084682/flights-hand-luggage-cheese-food-airport-security-liquid
- https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain
- https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain/fruit-vegetables-nuts-seeds
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items
- https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Business/LicencesandPermits/Foodbusinesslicenceandregulations/RelatedDocuments/BringingFoodProductsintotheUK.pdf
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- https://www.thekitchn.com/hot-tips-how-to-travel-with-cheese-the-cheesemonger-191083
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k11193276-Food_in_checked_baggage-Air_Travel.html
- https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/Brexit/Brexit-What-you-can-and-cannot-bring-into-France-from-UK
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- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/946343/Bringing_food_into_the_UK_leaflet.pdf
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3619?language=en_US