Taking food into the EU

[Mike Rivers]

First stop will be E.Leclerc/Auchan/Carrefour/Lidl or Intermarche. Better supermarkets than UK. Where do we stand with canned products?

 

[Spriddler]

the FB Pie that must now have crossed the channel 20 times,,(for emergencies) BUSBY

Yup, my FB pie is the same.
At the start of the lockdown I audited my tins (about a dozen) of 'Emergency' food in a box buried deep in a locker.
Virtually every tin was out of 'Use by' date.

 

[Minxy]

We've flown into Oz and NZ a couple of times, strict checks were made when we arrived, a declaration had to be made and a search carried out....been that way for many years, searching all motorhomes/campervans and caravans would be a mammoth task.....not tusk, they are banned too...

There is a big difference though, NZ and Oz have mainly bio-security in mind as they don't want to import bugs etc that they don't have which can come in on various types of food (eg fruit, veg, nuts), as well as other stuff like wooden trinkets (eg non-native wood boring beetles), plus diseases from animal products. As the EU/UK import each others fresh product we don't have such 'high' restrictions as we more than likely have the same bugs etc already.

 

[MisterB]

But there won't be a fast la

I wouldn’t worry to much, it’s just making ourselves aware of what has changed and what we need to do. It’s not about EU countries not wanting us (in the same way we massively benefit from Tourists to this country) CCC outline what we need to do or not as the case maybe https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/useful-information/travelling-after-brexit/

(We won’t be able to use the fast lane for EU nationals either so a bit more patience will be required )

But there shouldn't be a fast lane for EU citizens both ways should there ..?

 

[spitfire]

First stop will be E.Leclerc/Auchan/Carrefour/Lidl or Intermarche. Better supermarkets than UK. Where do we stand with canned products?

I think they are allowed especially FB Pies cos they have no meat lol But we do sell tinned everything I think !
Our go to tinned meal in the van is Lidl ravioli when stuck and even our son says bring it over to the U.K. and confit canard .

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[Ian Bosman]

This is from the Camping and Caravan Club site

You will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from 1 January 2021. There are some exceptions, e.g. certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

As a vegetarian the meat part has no effect on us

I checked the EC website about food imports, which fromJnauary 1st we are treated like all other non EC countries bar Norway etc so meat and dairy products, eg that includes cheese which means I can no longer carry a lot of cheddar cheese so will be buying EC cheese when over there.

 

[critch]

Nobody has mentioned the return journey to this country. As our food standards are considerably higher than most of the EU, eg regulations set by EU but ignored by many countries eg battery cages for hens, tethers for sows, use of beta agonists etc but strictly observed here ,perhaps bringing meat and plant products into this country will be more of a problem

 

[Peter and Julie]

Given that they already have as native most every one of the worlds deadliest bugs, creepy crawliest and slitherers . You can understand them not wanting any more coming in hiding in a bag

I checked the EC website about food imports, which fromJnauary 1st we are treated like all other non EC countries bar Norway etc so meat and dairy products, eg that includes cheese which means I can no longer carry a lot of cheddar cheese so will be buying EC cheese when over there.

You can buy Cheddar in Intermarche it's called cheddar too!

 

[New Dawn]

Agree! But no proper sausages though!

French sausage don’t have wheat in! So for some of us that’s a bonus!!!

 

[spitfire]

You can buy Cheddar in Intermarche it's called cheddar too!

Try Cantal, Compte or Beaufort

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[Peter and Julie]

French sausage don’t have wheat in! So for some of us that’s a bonus!!!

Too much Garlick and spices for breakfast.

 

[spitfire]

Too much Garlick and spices for breakfast.

Breakfast ! You are in Europe on holiday . Continental breakfast lol

 

[LesW]

buying EC cheese when over there.

Good luck with that, we normally take a stock of Extra Mature Cheddar, (as the French don't do proper cheese), we have found something similar, but very costly.

 

[peterc10]

I am struggling to understand people complaining about not being able to bring fruit and veg into Europe. My experience with French, Spanish and Portuguese supermarkets is that they have a much wider and fresher range of fruit and veg than their UK supermarkets at similar prices (France) or lower (Spain and Portugal).

After all, where does much of it (especially the out of season stuff) originate from??

 

[Peter and Julie]

I am struggling to understand people complaining about not being able to bring fruit and veg into Europe. My experience with French, Spanish and Portuguese supermarkets is that they have a much wider and fresher range of fruit and veg than their UK supermarkets at similar prices (France) or lower (Spain and Portugal).

After all, where does much of it (especially the out of season stuff) originate from??

Especially Bell Peppers for a stir fry with Porc Filet Mignon !!! Getting hungry now.

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[Jim]

I don't think I'd risk the EU marking my card, along with the delay and paperwork of being caught with prohibited goods So I wouldn't bother. That said It will be a different matter if they ban Yorkshire Tea. I'd become one of the countries top smugglers then.

 

[busby]

Too much Garlick and spices for breakfast.

Good sausage in Spain,,much of it similar to ours and delicious black pudding,,BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Good luck with that, we normally take a stock of Extra Mature Cheddar, (as the French don't do proper cheese), we have found something similar, but very costly.

Cheddar is available throughout France and Spain..BUSBY.

 

[carolyn]

Yorkshire teabags and Nescafe Azera for us, what’s the point in breaking rules. I will make sure we have some sort of legal tinned or dried emergency meal in case we turn up on a bank holiday (we’ve made that mistake in France) and then go to one of those places that sell food that they have in other countries, they remind me of shops.

What’s the point in moaning about things you cannot change, all because it wasn’t what I wanted doesn’t mean I’m going to spend my life trying to cheat it. Lets all do our bit to make it work smoothly not cause holdups at every port and tunnel crossing because you think you’re special. Drives me mad , like the people who leave their gas on , on the ferries because they’ve never heard of a motorhome causing an explosion in the hold.

I seem to have my knickers in a knot, I must go and eat more chocolate immediately!

 

[L' Hobo]

I'm old enough to have been trucking/campervanning on the continent before and after being part of the Common Market/EU and have never had my vehicles searched for food. Cigarettes and alcohol, Yes... but never food!

Yes, in the old days, when my truck reached Dover, I put my papers into people who were called 'Freight Forwarders' their job was to process and clear my load while I climbed into my bunk and took my obligatory REST break.

Afterwards, I picked up the cleared papers and, unless the load had to be pulled into the Customs shed and checked (VERY rare) I was on my way for another days driving.
Why can it not be like this again especially with Manston as a holding area?

I also think the increase in our own and other countries customs officers is more down to detecting illegal immigrations.
Plus the regulations that have been shown are more focussed on countries, far more exotic, than the UK.
Yes, they COULD be focussed on the UK for the first few months but why would they make themselves more work?

As for Australia, I lived there, for a few years, sometime ago and yes, there are restriction between States BUT it must be remembered that Oz is 4000 miles wide and 3000miles deep.
Put that on a map of Europe and see how many Countries and borders it covers.

The way I try to convey just how big Oz is, is to remind people that Oz is halfway around the complete planet and that means that is 12,000 miles away.
If your flight left from Sydney, one 3rd of that journey could STILL be in Australia.
Of course there are checks!

Lastly, I have got weary of all the shenanigans BUT was there not, at one point, talk of a five year transition period?

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[sedge]

Nor proper bacon. Will be working out how to smuggle proper back bacon all the way to Greece!

Vacuum packed.

 

[LesW]

Cheddar is available throughout France and Spain..BUSBY.

I have never found Extra Mature Cheddar freely available in France or Spain, and I've looked.

It may be found in the odd 'specialist in UK food' stores I suppose.

 

[Vanderek]

I'm surprised that the FBTM brigade have not been on here yet....Fray Bentos Tins Matter , but not to me

 

[spitfire]

I have never found Extra Mature Cheddar freely available in France or Spain, and I've looked.

It may be found in the odd 'specialist in UK food' stores I suppose.

No worries if you find a Grand Frais. They sell wonderful fruit veg from all over the world and a great butcher with 45 day matured angus beef . Spices and dried pulses and even Wykes Farm mature cheddar if you really can’t manage without it .
Like every country you need to know where to look but for me the fun if other countries is shopping in a different country and new things to try .

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[Stealaway]

Vacuum packed.

Bacon? Vacuum packed in Denmark will be OK then? ---- YES!!!!

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[busby]

I have never found Extra Mature Cheddar freely available in France or Spain, and I've looked.

It may be found in the odd 'specialist in UK food' stores I suppose.

Just mature i think,,keep it a few months and it will be Extra Mature,,BUSBY,,,

 

[Wildbill]

We have a fairly low payload we also have a french speaking grandson who also has a bit of Spanish language skills.
there not much food wich we have to compromise on but when away we normally just adapt
You can get most thing out their cabbage brockly spuds cheeses fresh milk all kinds wine spirits beers tinned foods
tinned meet spam corn beef peppers all the salad stuff you need
OK bacon i do miss but your on holiday if you want to live like you do at home sell the van just stay home.
Your going to different country's live as they do dont take the stress with you just
enjoy the experience
a few french thing's you can buy fresh milk /lait frais /potatoes/ pommes de terre/ cabige/ Occupé google is your friend
Shop with your eyes it thaire just a bit harder to find if you dont speak french try to usually once you have made a bit of a attempt sum-one comes in to rescue you
bill

 

[JJ]

Might I suggest you cook all your usual food and freeze it in bags which you mark as "cabbage" or "lettuce" or something similar... in the highly unlikely case of coming across any "official" who is in the slightest bit interested


JJ

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Good luck with that, we normally take a stock of Extra Mature Cheddar, (as the French don't do proper cheese), we have found something similar, but very costly.

Really.?
I thought some of the world's best cheeses were French?
Must be just me, but I would gladly buy some of the farmhouse unpasteurised cheeses if sold here.
I like to live dangerously

 

[busby]

We have a fairly low payload we also have a french speaking grandson who also has a bit of Spanish language skills.
there not much food wich we have to compromise on but when away we normally just adapt
You can get most thing out their cabbage brockly spuds cheeses fresh milk all kinds wine spirits beers tinned foods
tinned meet spam corn beef peppers all the salad stuff you need
OK bacon i do miss but your on holiday if you want to live like you do at home sell the van just stay home.
Your going to different country's live as they do dont take the stress with you just
enjoy the experience
a few french thing's you can buy fresh milk /lait frais /potatoes/ pommes de terre/ cabige/ Occupé google is your friend
Shop with your eyes it thaire just a bit harder to find if you dont speak french try to usually once you have made a bit of a attempt sum-one comes in to rescue you
bill

I have always managed to buy bacon in France and Spain,,not the best but ok..BUSBY.

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