Importing food into the EU

[jagmanx]

So ignoring the politics
It seems you cannott take say "British Ham" to EU
But what about a pre-packed "continental meat selection" bought in for example Lidl.
Said package having been prepared/processed and packed in sterile plastic container in an EU factory exported to UK which you are trying to "re-import to EU
@wildebus comments post no 22 are also relevant.
Basically none of this is life threatening etc bUT......

 

[Trotter]

I hope the UK customs are also taking the same rediculous level of enforcement for anyone from the EU coming in for this to be sorted out for both UK and EU travellers to be able to enjoy their holidays (plenty of Germans prefer to bring their Schinken with them instead of the British stuff).
The French supermarkets won't be too happy either with Brits not stocking up on any cheeses to bring back.

I’m sure we do have Customs. Not sure how effective they are. The amount of illegal drugs, immigrants coming into the Uk makes me wonder. Half a kilo of Roquefort shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[HurricaneSmith]

I was nattering to a fellow van owner, and he agreed the risk simply isn't worth antagonising our European neighbours.

We'll simply read the rules and do whatever is asked, because apart from their dreadful UHT milk, it's always fun to eat and drink something different.

 

[snapster]

So ignoring the politics
It seems you cannott take say "British Ham" to EU
But what about a pre-packed "continental meat selection" bought in for example Lidl.
Said package having been prepared/processed and packed in sterile plastic container in an EU factory exported to UK which you are trying to "re-import to EU
@wildebus comments post no 22 are also relevant.
Basically none of this is life threatening etc bUT......

Lidl state all their meat is from British suppliers, though I realise being a “supplier” doesn’t necessarily mean they supply only British grown produce. But, I just think if it’s meat and dairy, wherever it’s from, you can’t take it.

Of course, the new rules will mean people will have to try out “foreign food”, and most of it is very good.

And, you may be surprised to learn fresh milk is available all over France in larger supermarkets and from a lot of farm shops. UHT milk taste varies widely, we found some that is indistinguishable from fresh milk, but, I must admit, some of it tastes as bad as the stuff you get in little plastic cartons in many UK hotels........

 

[HurricaneSmith]

................
Of course, the new rules will mean people will have to try out “foreign food”, and most of it is very good.
......................

One of the things we miss most is the wonderful food throughout the whole of France. Just writing these few words reminds me of the fabulous Look & Feel of French Supermarkets.

You won't convince me about UHT though.

 

[SimonM]

Am I the only one who actually likes UHT? Because of the first Covid lockdown and previous shortages I made certain to keep a dozen litre bottles in stock.

 

[Tidewatcher]

Am I the only one who actually likes UHT? Because of the first Covid lockdown and previous shortages I made certain to keep a dozen litre bottles in stock.

Oddly a couple of years ago I had a serious illness while abroad well outside europe. After the worst was over for some reason I craved chilled full strength UHT milk and still enjoy drinking it though it’s a bit of a test in tea.... Like other I always think one of the fun parts of heading overseas is the chance to have different food experiences, always enjoy heading into the Carrefoure with an empty trolly. The only real worry is it looks as though bringing the treats back into the uk will be verboten.

 

[jagmanx]

Lidl state all their meat is from British suppliers, though I realise being a “supplier” doesn’t necessarily mean they supply only British grown produce. But, I just think if it’s meat and dairy, wherever it’s from, you can’t take it.

Of course, the new rules will mean people will have to try out “foreign food”, and most of it is very good.

And, you may be surprised to learn fresh milk is available all over France in larger supermarkets and from a lot of farm shops. UHT milk taste varies widely, we found some that is indistinguishable from fresh milk, but, I must admit, some of it tastes as bad as the stuff you get in little plastic cartons in many UK hotels........

Thanks, We are quite happy to (food) shop in which ever country we are in !
Indeed it is part of the pleasure of travelling.
We would however like some UK food stuffs in the vehicle
A) to see us through the first night.
B) to have available as part of our supplies for a few days
But not a problem if we have to travel almost empty
Our first night in France is usually near Calais in a small town with both a Carrefour and a Lidl.
So no problem at all. As you say fresh milk is available and a wide selection of all the types of food we can get in UK.

We will miss
1 Cheddar cheese
2 Frozen Paratha's
3 Porridge and corn flakes (NOT MIXED !)
4 Cheap cup a soups ..Yes the are cr@p but if enhanced with fried vegetables are handy for lunchtime

Just musing over the anomalies etc the B word has created.
We have toured far and wide in Europe for the last 7 yeas and covid permitting we aim to spend almost 90 days again every summer !
Just have to ensure we do not fall foul o the laws.
Not being able to take the items above or the like is irrelevant

 

[SimonM]

It is going to be interesting when we are finally released to rampage across the water, to see what hoops we are going to have to jump through

 

[snapster]

Thanks, We are quite happy to (food) shop in which ever country we are in !
Indeed it is part of the pleasure of travelling.
We would however like some UK food stuffs in the vehicle
A) to see us through the first night.
B) to have available as part of our supplies for a few days
But not a problem if we have to travel almost empty
Our first night in France is usually near Calais in a small town with both a Carrefour and a Lidl.
So no problem at all. As you say fresh milk is available and a wide selection of all the types of food we can get in UK.

We will miss
1 Cheddar cheese
2 Frozen Paratha's
3 Porridge and corn flakes (NOT MIXED !)
4 Cheap cup a soups ..Yes the are cr@p but if enhanced with fried vegetables are handy for lunchtime

Just musing over the anomalies etc the B word has created.
We have toured far and wide in Europe for the last 7 yeas and covid permitting we aim to spend almost 90 days again every summer !
Just have to ensure we do not fall foul o the laws.
Not being able to take the items above or the like is irrelevant

We buy our Cheddar cheese from Super U and Leclerc, I believe Intermarche, Geant and Carrefour sell it too. They also sell Quaker ( with other makes) porridge oats and Corn Flakes ( and Frosties, coco pops, Special K ( regular, chocolate and red fruits) Alpen, Weetabix, and just about every breakfast cereal you can buy in the UK), Mcvities and Foxes biscuits, marmite, Branston pickle, English mustard, bacon, sausages, Cadbury’s chocolate, Mars bars, Kit Kats Marathon, Maltesers. Fray Bentos pies........Etc. Etc. Etc.
You’ll probably get cup a soups too , (I don’t know what a frozen Paratha is though) but although you haven’t mentioned them, I think the French might draw the line at Pot Noodles........

 

[snapster]

Am I the only one who actually likes UHT? Because of the first Covid lockdown and previous shortages I made certain to keep a dozen litre bottles in stock.

That’s the only milk we drink now, both skimmed and semi skimmed. There used to be a farm shop a few Km from us that sold their own fresh milk in 5 litre containers but they have closed now.

 

[witzend]

, I think the French might draw the line at Pot Noodles........

They do a very similar product which we've tried can't remember where we got it but it was ok.
Only used UHT milk for years now and quite happy with it except for baking where we use milk from the farm down the roads tank

 

[jagmanx]

Soy milk is good for baking and porridge !
For curries coconut milk is a good substitute for cream !
And there is creme fraiche or yoghurt !

 

[witzend]

, I got to wondering what we'd be allowed to carry in our motorhomes: we know folk who take loads of British food with them for long stays!

Wonder what we can bring into UK I've seen the duty allowance But we like several products which are much better than the UK equivalent.

 

[Linda]

We always buy long life milk when in Europe- can’t tell the difference! When we set off we usually empty the contents of the fridge into the van and put in a couple of frozen meals so we can whiz through France but it’s not the end of the world to go into a french supermarket- although Lee would disagree as he hates supermarkets!

 

[Ardachaidh]

We have been going to Spain over the winter for the past few years. We take 3 months worth of organic porridge oats - still allowed I think - and dog food - no longer allowed. Other than that just a few dairy/meat things in the fridge to keep us going for a few days - no longer allowed. After that we do all our shopping at markets or small shops and try to get fresh milk when we can and large bags of oranges of course.

Anybody know where we can get a large bag of James Wellbeloved Senior in France or Spain?

 

[Rec]

We always buy long life milk when in Europe- can’t tell the difference! When we set off we usually empty the contents of the fridge into the van and put in a couple of frozen meals so we can whiz through France but it’s not the end of the world to go into a french supermarket- although Lee would disagree as he hates supermarkets!

It's not the end of the world, just a pain! Like you we empty the fridge and often the cupboards so we don't have to stop.
Didn't see that porridge oats were not allowed. Probably cupasoup would be ok
as unlikely to have more than the allowed amount of meat dairy or fish in the finished product!I

 

[Rec]

We have been going to Spain over the winter for the past few years. We take 3 months worth of organic porridge oats - still allowed I think - and dog food - no longer allowed. Other than that just a few dairy/meat things in the fridge to keep us going for a few days - no longer allowed. After that we do all our shopping at markets or small shops and try to get fresh milk when we can and large bags of oranges of course.

Anybody know where we can get a large bag of James Wellbeloved Senior in France or Spain?

Senior grainfree and allergen free dog food is around in Portugal. The vets sell several " specialist"/expensive versions. See a lot of Purina here. I would have thought a vet could provide a letter saying that this is a specialist food for an elderly dog but still only 2kg...not going to last long!

 

[Tony Lee]

Basically you are traitors to the EU family so you can be pretty sure they will not be showing any leniency. Customs, quarantine, pet paperwork, MOT, tax and insurance, overstaying your 90 days, country sticker, international driver's permit, road rules. Your money will be flowing into their coffers.

 

[jagmanx]

Sad but true !