Overview

• The UK’s all-EU ban on personal imports of cattle, sheep, goat and pig meat and dairy took effect on April 12 as part of biosecurity measures against recent foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Europe.
• Border Force officers at ports and airports confiscate or destroy unauthorised animal products and require travellers to surrender banned goods on arrival.
• Prohibited items cover sandwiches, cheese, cured or raw meats and liquid milk regardless of packaging, including duty-free purchases.
• Permitted foods include plant-based processed items such as bread without meat or dairy fillings, cakes without fresh cream, biscuits, certain confectionery, plain pasta or noodles, and packaged soups or stocks.
• Travellers may carry up to 2kg per person of powdered infant formula, infant food or specialised medical nutrition if it is in branded, unopened packaging that does not require refrigeration.