Dairy and meat to France (6 Viewers)

[jdk62]

We are on Le Shuttle next week to France for our first trip since Brexit…

Do they check the contents of your fridge?

 

[Simon Meadwell]

No

 

[steve69]

Depends on what mood they're in.

 

[Mousy]

Came through on Tuesday nobody was remotely interested in our fridge.

 

[PaulW2]

We are on Le Shuttle next week to France for our first trip since Brexit…

Do they check the contents of your fridge?

They 'profile' I think.

If you're a regular couple of a certain age I would think not. If you're young, maybe. If you're a man travelling alone quite possibly.

(Brittany Ferries made me put my little Swiss army knife with the van cutlery, and I've had various dogs trying to sniff out contraband, but I think the tunnel is generally fairly relaxed.)

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[cliffanger]

They’ve never checked ours!l

 

[Spriddler]

Since 'B' I've made 5 outward Newhaven - Dieppe ferry crossings and there's never been any interest or questions about my fridge contents or even anyone entering into the m/h, just non-interrogational chit-chat and "Is your gas turned off?".
(I used to work right by the port and first encountered that ferry when cars were being craned on and off).

 

[Two on Tour]

Their not interested, they probably think the ruling is stupid as we do.

 

[JoshnPen]

We had someone actually come in the van to check the gas was off. Didn't seem interested in anything else.

We came back full loaded with alcohol - right up to our limit and they still didn't check so we could have got a bit more... Might have had a payload issue tho

 

[meanders]

At your risk I would say. I don't know, but in cases of innocent imports and first time being caught, I suspect it would be seized if found with little or no other sanction, but don't quote me on that. It would appear that it can result in a fine without limit and up to seven years in prison just for the illegal import, and you can be prosecuted for smuggling.

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[suavecarve]

In general, if you pass the "attitude test" at the border they aren't interested.

 

[rolosroller]

 

[carolyn]

We’ve just gone from Poole to Cherbourg. The nice man apologised for how slow everything was but they had to check the paperwork of one of the vehicles very carefully as he was carrying guns. Perfectly legal as he was just going hunting but it takes ages! We were searched, including the mirror underneath but not our brand new shiny fridge buzzing away powered by a lithium battery.

I just bring what’s left in the fridge. I must admit I don’t fill it like I used to though.

We always get searched. I think it’s because we’re a PVC so relatively small and easy.

 

[Hawkstone]

We’ve just gone from Poole to Cherbourg. The nice man apologised for how slow everything was but they had to check the paperwork of one of the vehicles very carefully as he was carrying guns. Perfectly legal as he was just going hunting but it takes ages! We were searched, including the mirror underneath but not our brand new shiny fridge buzzing away powered by a lithium battery.

I just bring what’s left in the fridge. I must admit I don’t fill it like I used to though.

We always get searched. I think it’s because we’re a PVC so relatively small and easy.

And the VW vans too….must be a stereotype . Did you stay at the port the night before ?

 

[Stoosal]

March ‘22 we had customs check…….lifted seats, cupboards, dropped bed down etc etc….opened fridge and freezer and had a quick look but it was basically empty bar an opened milk, choc biscuits, some ice creams etc. There was no way somebody would be hiding in the freezer! Didn’t ask anything about contents. We carry a scooter in the garage so they asked for docs for that. When/where purchased and showed them purchase invoice…..on our way in a few minutes…..all staff very pleasant and no issues.

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[MisterB]

I heard they are doing fridge searches for everyone now and all your food is confiscated and wasted .... To stop that happening, if you drop it all off at my house I will see that it isn't wasted, please no cheap burgers or sausages, pref steaks, duck, pheasant and the odd bottle of pre duty free .....

 

[carolyn]

And the VW vans too….must be a stereotype . Did you stay at the port the night before ?

Yes, very handy. Very early knock on the door though. 6am! Hadn’t even drunk our coffee.

 

[gus-lopez]

I have used dfds dunkirk to dover & the reverse for over 12 years. Dunkirk entering uk The french always check inside & roof box nothing else.
Exiting Uk from Dover ,nothing whatsoever by anyone.

 

[Tigertom]

No

 

[Richard n Ann]

Never been checked in 11 crossings and 10 years

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[Ven]

Never in the 8 times a year we go on the tunnel since 2009 have they paid any attention to food and drink.

Checked in the van a couple of times under the bed in the wardrobe etc but that’s it.

 

[PaulW2]

They do have heat sensors too don’t they? One time in Portsmouth there was a hold up. They then, after much to-ing and fro-ing, opened a caravan in front of us and took out a family of illegal immigrants.

Was a bit of a show. Two come out … then another one … then two more … then another one … then …

I think it was the heat sensors that alerted them.

 

[tribalbrit]

Didn't even check our dogs microchip when sailing from Dover early August

 

[canopus]

When we returned through Newhaven last March, we were asked by a MAFF official in the customs shed if we were bringing any meat or meat products back into the UK. We said we were’nt and he waived us on. Actually we had lamb chops, onion pate, plus some cooked ham in the fridge/freezer.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Web have never had the fridge checked, but take the view it is too much faff to worry about. We tend to take the view that we expect people coming to our country to abide by our rules and so try to do the same, regardless of what we think about them.

First job after arriving is stop at a supermarket. Often in France and Spain they have a better selection than the UK, especially, fruit, veg, meat, cheese and fish. Although France felt slightly more expensive in June this year. I am lactose intolerant after a recent illness and they cater for it there, but not as well.

So our advice is take what is allowed, we bring a bag of pasta and tinned salmon so that we know we can rustle up a meal if necessary. Then have fun looking round the supermarkets.

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[varaizian]

Didn't even check our dogs microchip when sailing from Dover early August

I think they only check the chip on the way to France to ensure it is working and avoid trouble down the line on the way back to the UK.

Edit. I'm thinking about the days when a UK passport was valid. The chip will now have been recently checked for all dogs needing an AHC.

 

[varaizian]

The only time we have been actively checked was during the mad cow disease crisis a long time ago. We had to discard quite a lot of stuff then. But why bother? Supermarkets sell everything you are likely to want; even cheddar cheese and fresh milk.

 

[Minxy]

When we returned through Newhaven last March, we were asked by a MAFF official in the customs shed if we were bringing any meat or meat products back into the UK. We said we were’nt and he waived us on. Actually we had lamb chops, onion pate, plus some cooked ham in the fridge/freezer.

That'd be us but we'd be reimporting what we'd taken abroad and not eaten.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We took a couple of bricks of Asda mature cheddar with us better than any French stuff. Was just slicing the mouldy sides off it yesterday yum

 

[Joethejoiner]

Didn't even check our dogs microchip when sailing from Dover early August

Irish ferries ? They don't seem to bother . Always been checked on other ferries

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