I have noticed that since leaving the EU you are no longer allowed to carry meat and dairy to France. When we have been camping before we always have taken food like bacon and sausages does that mean we can’t take them?
Are customs really strict about this?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I cross to France about 5 or 6 times a year and have never been asked about it at French passport control. I have never done anything other than hand my passport out of the window and having it stamped.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We were cautious to start with but have stopped worrying about it. When you see the volume of traffic & think of the practicalities of searching even a random number of vehicles it’s a risk we are happy to take. Depends on your attitude to that risk really
In the past, we've taken vast amounts of food (small domestic chest freezer and fridge/coolboxes) full of meat and pre-prepared meals for our camping trips, as did a great many of our UK camping neighbours on the pop-up temp campsite at Le Mans 24Hr race, but I've only been once since Brexit and that was a 'lightweight' minimalist trip, so not in a position to take much anyway so we didn't take anything in the way of food, but other UK campers seemed to do as they have always done and 'smuggled' whatever they wanted without any tales of stops, searches, confiscations or fines! Certainly never saw any signs anyone was being checked/targeted as we went through immigration.
We're a mini 'community' of motor race supporters, with our own online forum and dozens personally know to each other, experiences are shared quickly and widely amongst many hundreds of us attending the race, but no tales of anyone having problems. Even those with caravans/MH's who had them checked for illegal immigrant/passengers, who had fridges and coolboxes full of 'contraband' didn't get any hassle, really don't think the French staff at ports give a damn, it's a politicians bureaucratic thing, and that's where it stays!
The odd and unsubstantiated tale of being caught that I've heard (AFAIK no one has ever verified a single persons claim - think it's just scaremongering/personal fame seeking!), has only resulted in confiscation of goods, so not too high a consequence for being a 'criminal'!
Suspect there may be a far greater risk of UK customs being 'fussy' about how much French beer/wine/cheese etc. you try and get back into UK! - there'll be 'duties' due on over quota, so that always motivates them!
Have been every year since Brexit and never had the fridge checked, we always take cheese,milk and margarine away with us, my advice is to only take what you are prepared to lose if you are checked
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We don't bother taking much, as food in Europe is so good, but in last 3 ferry trips over, the only check in the van was a cursory check for extra bodies.
I was not checked going out to France in May 2023, and was checked coming back, not for food and drink but for potential illegal immigrants.
The UK Border official asked for the back doors of my van to be opened so that he could look and check the bathroom to make sure I was not carrying anyone.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Stopped in Portsmouth Weds evening by UK customs on return home to France. They paid no attention to the beer and food we were bringing back and I'm pretty sure the number of people who try to get smuggled out of the UK via Portsmouth is pretty close to zero.
Anyone had any problems with dog food? We intend to take enough for a few days, with the plan of gradually introducing the girls to French dog food (dried biscuit type) Saw lots of very similar stuff when we were there last year.
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
Nope, take about 15kg with us for the length of stay.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We take a 3kg bag of dog food with us, which lasts our two dogs about 5 days, then they have similar dry complete food from a French supermarket for the next 6 or 7 weeks of our stay.
Quote: Originally posted by gailbonney on 20/2/2024
Anyone had any problems with dog food? We intend to take enough for a few days, with the plan of gradually introducing the girls to French dog food (dried biscuit type) Saw lots of very similar stuff when we were there last year.
We tried that and we had to keep trying different brands until we found one that they liked. Now we take a bit more wet food as 3kg biscuits lasts them 4 weeks.
For ourselves we take enough bacon and sometimes sausage for the 3 - 4 weekends for our breakfast.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Food restrictions since leaving the EU
via mobile 29/12/2023 at 10:56pm
