What can you not take on a ferry to France?

You can't take meat, dairy, plants, or large quantities of certain flammable liquids/paint into France from the UK due to post-Brexit rules, even for personal use, plus standard prohibitions like weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs, with stricter rules for foot passengers on weapons and hazardous items. Always check with your specific ferry operator (like Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, P&O) for exact guidance.

What are you not allowed to take on a ferry to France?

Please note: Foot passengers may not transport firearms, ammunition, gas canisters or any other item considered to be a dangerous weapon, such as bows and arrows, knives (including chef's knives) swords etc, on board our vessels.

What food cannot be taken into France from the UK?

Taking food and drink into France

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries.

Can you take food from England to France on a ferry?

As a general rule, you cannot take the following into the EU from the UK: Plants and plant products. Products of animal origin (POAO) such as meat or dairy.

What items are prohibited to bring to France?

TL;DR: France bans drugs, weapons, counterfeits, CITES species, and hazardous waste; restricts food, plants, animals, pharmaceuticals, and cultural goods with certificates—check 2025 EU updates for compliance.

What tourists need to know before driving in France and Europe // What you need by law

Can I take chocolate biscuits to France from the UK?

*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.

Can I take food in my suitcase to France from the UK?

Foods of animal origin and products of animal origin are subject to restrictions: travellers are not allowed to carry meat, meat-based products, milk and dairy products imported from third countries* in their personal packages and luggage.

Can you take a ham sandwich to France?

No meat and dairy-based products

Technically, that includes even something like a cheese sandwich. It also rules out the likes of cottage cheese, pork pies, pork scratchings, crisps with meat or fish flavourings and more – i.e., items you are unlikely to find on your travels through France.

Can you take tea bags into France from the UK?

People who regularly come and go between the UK and France are still getting used to the new rules imposed by Brexit, including restrictions on bringing in certain kinds of foods. Teabags, however, are not one of the items that are restricted for travellers entering the EU.

Can I take salad cream to France from the UK?

The same applies to salad cream, which despite its name does not typically contain any dairy, but only processed ingredients of vegetable origin, such as vinegar, oil, sugar etc. It also contains a small amount of dried egg, but eggs are acceptable as they fall under neither the meat nor the dairy rules.

What foods are not allowed in France?

Many foods that are banned in France are based on certain elements that some countries add. In example: Red dye 40, BHA (found in many snacks and baked goods) and BHT (in processed meats and cereals), any products from growth hormone fed dairy cows, Ractopamine (an animal feed additive).

Does cheese need to be declared at customs?

Hard cured cheese such as parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water(ricotta, feta, etc.) are not. Fish, if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.

What cannot bring to ferry?

ODD SIZE ITEM

• Surfboards, wakeboards, bicycles.
• Long item that exceeds 1.5m in length.
• Large item that exceeds the dimensions of 100cm x 60cm x 30cm.
• Item that poses a safety hazard if hand-carried.

Can I bring a suitcase full of food?

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.

Do your bags get searched on a ferry?

Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports before you board the ship.

Can I take bacon and sausages to France?

Due to EU biosecurity rules, the following are currently not allowed when travelling from the UK to France: Meat and meat products: sausages, ham, bacon, beef, chicken, etc. Milk and dairy products: cheese, butter, yoghurt—no exceptions. Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, and seeds.

Do I have to declare meat?

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural or wildlife products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. You must also tell them if you visited a farm or were in contact with animals before traveling to the United States.

What can't you bring into France?

Certain goods are strictly prohibited, including illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, meat, milk and their products, and endangered wild plant or animal species. More information on how to avoid buying counterfeit goods is available here.

What items must be declared at customs?

When entering the United States, what items must I declare?

• Food and Agriculture.
• Alcohol.
• Tobacco.
• Currency.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Additional Resources.

Do you have to declare prescription drugs at Customs France?

All medications should be kept in their original containers. For narcotic medication, individuals can only bring the amount of medication for the duration of their travel. They will declare and present to Customs a written letter from their official MD, providing the dosage and the name of the medication.

Do you have to declare food in a suitcase?

Declaring your items

If you are unsure about any of the food products you are bringing in, speak to a Border Force officer in the Customs Red Channel or on the Red Point telephone. If you declare any banned or restricted food items to us, we will take these away and destroy them and no further action will be taken.

Do I have to declare biscuits?

Be careful that your sweets or chocolate don't contain otherwise restricted ingredients like bacon, seeds or nuts! You may have to declare it or leave it at home if so. Biscuits, cakes, bread and pastries are allowed into Australia if they are commercially prepared, fully cooked, shelf stable, and contain no meat.

Can you get Heinz baked beans in France?

Certainly across the French Riviera, and particularly around Monaco, Nice and Cannes, you will find supermarkets selling Heinz beans (and Branston beans) supplied by The Trading Post.

What food is not allowed into the EU from the UK?

They apply to all animal or animal-origin foodstuffs, products of animal origin, plant-based foodstuffs, plants and minerals. The import of foodstuffs of animal origin is prohibited.