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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take banned food into EU?

216 replies

Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:17

We’re flying into Europe on Thursday staying in an AirBnB in an area where shops are going to be very shut for Easter (at least until Saturday).

My plan was to pack a bit of food to see us through a couple of meals - I’ve packed a picnic bag in our hold luggage full of long life stuff like pasta, tuna, and sweetcorn; brioche rolls and hot dogs. Chocolate bars, tea bags and some UHT milk. Applauded myself on my forward planning.

Then I realised we’re not in the EU any more and half this stuff is banned.

AIBU to take it anyway?

OP posts:
Hesma · 03/04/2023 18:22

As long as you don’t mind having it confiscated and getting fined on arrival!

Stardustkid · 03/04/2023 18:25

You can take it, you won’t get to keep it and they’ll delay you while they question you and fine you

GrumpyPanda · 03/04/2023 18:25

I doubt any of that is banned except the hot dogs.

Viviennemary · 03/04/2023 18:26

What don't you understand about banned foods. Not allkwed. So YABU and breaking the law.

justteanbiscuits · 03/04/2023 18:26

Check what is actually banned! Most of that isn't I don't think

WanderleyWagon · 03/04/2023 18:27

I think I'd take it and risk it. I think the chances of them finding the tinned food in your hold baggage are fairly small. But I seem to be an outlier!

Original poster
Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:27

Is it going to be confiscated though? Does anyone actually care about a tin of hotdogs (that are a product of the EU anyway)?

We drove into France last year, oblivious to this, and goodness know what we had in the car with us. No one checked. But flying seems a bit more risky, certainly.

OP posts:
PacificallyRequested · 03/04/2023 18:28

Have you never seen those airport customs programmes?! If you take banned stuff in, they'll fine you and/or chuck it away!

UpTheAnte · 03/04/2023 18:28

GrumpyPanda · 03/04/2023 18:25

I doubt any of that is banned except the hot dogs.

All dairy, meat and plant products are banned since we left the EU.

Yay for Brexit(!)

Lastnamedidntstick · 03/04/2023 18:28

GrumpyPanda · 03/04/2023 18:25

I doubt any of that is banned except the hot dogs.

Meat and dairy were banned on my trip a couple of weeks ago.

so would include the tuna, brioche, chocolate as well.

why not do a trip to lidl or a supermarket on your first day o/p? Save dragging it all with you.

WheelsUp · 03/04/2023 18:29

If you watch those airport reality shows then bringing in forbidden food means confiscation and a fine.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 03/04/2023 18:30

Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:27

Is it going to be confiscated though? Does anyone actually care about a tin of hotdogs (that are a product of the EU anyway)?

We drove into France last year, oblivious to this, and goodness know what we had in the car with us. No one checked. But flying seems a bit more risky, certainly.

Yes, your bags will be checked and stuff will be confiscated (at best) and you'll be fined (at worst).

Original poster
Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:30

No I haven’t. I think I’ve seen something from yonks ago when someone was trying to bring in a side of raw beef from South America or something, which seemed understandably dubious.

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 03/04/2023 18:32

UpTheAnte · 03/04/2023 18:28

All dairy, meat and plant products are banned since we left the EU.

Yay for Brexit(!)

Show quote history

I had no idea!

RosesInWater · 03/04/2023 18:33

Where are you going OP, the outer Mongolian Desert of mainland Europe?

I understand the Easter opening times may be a bit restricted, but check the websites of the supermarkets near where you are going. Otherwise I'd just take tea, coffee, bisuits and go out to eat first night.

Is it that simple and straightforward or am I missing something about something?

C4tastrophe · 03/04/2023 18:38

Most main train stations have a supermarket open, also the Turkish shops.

InSpainTheRain · 03/04/2023 18:42

Go for it. Provided you don't mind the consequences if you get it wrong. No GFM page to get you home Grin

toomuchlaundry · 03/04/2023 18:42

@WiseUpJanetWeiss but doesn’t that list exclude brioche and the chocolate as contain dairy

ghostyslovesheets · 03/04/2023 18:43

Yes all of that is fine except hot dogs and milk - I took lots of stuff last year - Eurocamping - so pasta, tuna, sweetcorn, snacks, no issues at all - no need to hide it!

Original poster
Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:44

RosesInWater · 03/04/2023 18:33

Where are you going OP, the outer Mongolian Desert of mainland Europe?

I understand the Easter opening times may be a bit restricted, but check the websites of the supermarkets near where you are going. Otherwise I'd just take tea, coffee, bisuits and go out to eat first night.

Is it that simple and straightforward or am I missing something about something?

Already have - everywhere sizeable is closed Thursday and Friday, It’s also an expensive place to eat out and one of the DC is horrendously fussy. Whole point was to self cater.

Looks like I could do pasta and tuna with no veg, and black tea. Joy!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:47

I can’t figure out if chocolate is ok or not - is it a classified as a milk product?

Aren’t fruit and veg banned?

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 03/04/2023 18:49

Could you have dairy free chocolate?

thegrain · 03/04/2023 18:50

Hatehairdressers · 03/04/2023 18:17

We’re flying into Europe on Thursday staying in an AirBnB in an area where shops are going to be very shut for Easter (at least until Saturday).

My plan was to pack a bit of food to see us through a couple of meals - I’ve packed a picnic bag in our hold luggage full of long life stuff like pasta, tuna, and sweetcorn; brioche rolls and hot dogs. Chocolate bars, tea bags and some UHT milk. Applauded myself on my forward planning.

Then I realised we’re not in the EU any more and half this stuff is banned.

AIBU to take it anyway?

You'd be breaking the law to take it. Why bother. Just buy French food it's very nice.

bijouxtt · 03/04/2023 18:52

I live in Spain and go through the border daily. It will be fine the only one you might get taken off you is the hot dogs can you manage without them ?. Chocolate bread etc you are not going to struggle with. Easter Monday is not a bank holiday in Spain though. I don't know where you are going but the restaurants and take aways won't be shut just supermarkets. But yay for brexit it's a nightmare 🙈