This page tells you the foods you can and can't bring if you're flying into the UK from outside the EU. It also tells you what to do at Customs if you've arrived with restricted foods.

If you're flying in to the UK from outside the EU, there are certain foods you are not allowed to bring with you, even if they are for your personal use.

These foods include:

  • Meat
  • Meat products
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Potatoes

Some fresh food products, such as fruit, fish, eggs and honey, may be allowed from some countries.

If you're arriving from an EU country, there are no food restrictions.

How to take food through customs

If you're arriving in the UK from outside of the EU, you will need to choose the appropriate Customs Channel to walk through when you are passing through the airport. These are your options:

If you’re not carrying illegal food products, such as meat, walk through the Green Channel on arrival at UK Customs. This is a declaration that you have nothing illegal in your luggage. If you do have any illegal food products and you walk through this channel, you will have committed a crime, which could result in a fine or prison.

If you ARE carrying illegal food products, walk through the Customs Red Channel and tell a Customs official what you have. Your food will be taken and destroyed, but you won’t face any penalty.

If you’re not sure whether the food you've brought is illegal, walk through the Customs Red Channel and tell a Customs official what you have. If your food is found to be illegal, Customs will take it from you, but you won't face any penalty.