What food can I post to France? (2023)

What food can I send to France?

Can I send food to France? Yes, you can ship food to France. However, you cannot send anything homemade – all food shipments must be store bought, non-perishable and in its original packaging.

Customs control

You are not allowed to take meat or meat products to France apart from fish or fish products (up to a maximum of 20kg). You are not allowed to take milk, cheese, yoghurt or other milk-based products except for infant milk, infant food or food required by humans or pets for medical reasons.

Bread is generally allowed (as long as it's not spread with butter and made into a ham sandwich) but most types of biscuits and cakes are not. Plants are also covered by the rules so this includes fresh fruit or vegetables which are banned, as are cut flowers.

Foods must be in the original manufacturers packaging. Food packaging must be sealed and not tampered with in any way. Food label must list all ingredients. Foods must have a shelf life of longer than 6 months from the date of shipping.

Sending a parcel from the UK to France

The first thing to note is that there are restrictions on sending food items or plants to the UK – you can find a list of restricted items here, and, unfortunately, it does include popular items such as chocolates and suet puddings.

You can carry other products that are not meat or plant based, such as bread, crisps, tea bags, etc. as long as they do not weigh over 2kg. You can also carry certain plant- or animal-based foods such as honey, snails and live oysters, as long as you have under 2kg.

You can also bring in items containing products of plant origin but processed, crushed, powdered, cooked etc... so that would inlude eg. biscuits and baked beans (however it may be safer to put the latter in hold luggage however, in case considered too 'liquid' for cabin rules).

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.

With Brexit in effect since 1st January 2021, parcels to France are treated as an export shipment and have to clear customs. This means shipments require additional documentation such as a commercial invoice and may be subject to other fees and duties.

Can I take tinned food to France from UK?

Allowed items: Most processed, canned, and sealed foods (providing they don't contain animal-derived products) Powdered milk for babies and infants, and baby food (up to a total weight of 2kg) Honey (small quantities for personal consumption only)

When it comes to sending food items abroad via courier, the rules are relatively simple: You cannot send any food items that are classed as perishables (things that can go off or that can spoil during transit). This is the most important rule of all, and as long as you stick to this rule, you will be just fine.

Products of animal origin can carry pa- thogens that cause dangerous infectious diseases. As a general rule, you cannot bring meat, meat products, milk and milk products (e.g. charcuterie, cheese, yogurt) into the EU.

Tea bags are OK, because they contain neither meat nor dairy products. Marmite, a vegan spread, can be brought into the EU, but Bovril cannot because it contains beef stock.

I have a different opinion => Yes you can bring chocolate to France. For the production of chocolate not fresh milk, but milk powder is used. Chocolate therefore is not considered a dairy product.

Send Non-Perishable Foods

Dried beef, fruits, canned nuts, dehydrated soups and fruit drink mixes. Canned meat and fish specialties along with shelf stable dips and cracker spreads. Remember, any cans that appear to be damaged or swollen should be tossed.

There are restrictions on some foods like vegetables, fruit, seeds, meat, fish, and dairy. Toiletries including aerosols, perfumes, aftershave, nail varnish (or polish or gel), or liquids over 1l are not allowed.

Due to EU requirements and import tax charges to your gift recipients we are currently not offering delivery to the EU.

Can I take biscuits from UK to EU?

You can no longer take products of animal origin, such as any food or drink contain meat or dairy, or plants and plant products into the EU in your luggage, vehicle, or person. There are certain exemptions to this rule for quantities of powdered infant milk, infant food, confectionary, specialised foods and pet feed.

*Confectionery, chocolate or cakes (including Christmas cake, Simnel cake or cakes containing nuts) are permitted from any country as long as they are for your personal consumption and do not contain fresh cream or high levels of dairy products.

You can carry any food, as long as you are allowed to bring it into the country to which you are traveling. . I'd just read carefully the rules about meat products. That's usually something that many countries don't allow. There are no restrictions on moving foodstuffs between EU countries.

Cash. If you are carrying more than 10,000 euros in cash, you must declare this to the Customs Authorities when entering or leaving France. This also includes money orders and travellers cheques. It is also possible to declare online up to 2 days before arriving in France.

Self-defence sprays like pepper spray. Counterfeit goods of any description. Some types of nut – such brazil nuts still in their shell. Mercury thermometers and other goods that contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

Items containing plants that have been processed, crushed, powdered or cooked are allowed so things like non chocolate biscuits or baked beans (but not with sausage) should be ok.

Can be sent(must not contain dairy or be of animal origin) : Sweets / Candy. Biscuits / Cookies.

If you want to send your chocolate overseas, it's good to know that most countries accept non-perishable foods, such as chocolate, into their country and through customs with no issues. There are some exceptions, for example you can't ship Kinder eggs into America.

Open or Close content below Perishable Items

Perishable items are materials that can deteriorate in the mail, such as live animals, food, and plants. Permissible perishable items are sent at the mailer's own risk. These items must be specially packaged and mailed so that they arrive before they begin to deteriorate.

Can you take salad cream to France?

The same applies to salad cream, which despite its name does not typically contain any dairy, but only processed ingredients of vegetable origin, such as vinegar, oil, sugar etc. It also contains a small amount of dried egg, but eggs are acceptable as they fall under neither the meat nor the dairy rules.

Foods of animal origin and products of animal origin are subject to restrictions: travellers are not allowed to carry meat, meat-based products, milk and dairy products imported from third countries* in their personal packages and luggage.

If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. You can however bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed.

Important: you must declare to Customs any goods in excess of €150, €300, or €430 (see table opposite) that you are carrying, and pay the corresponding duties and taxes. The customs declaration may be oral or written, depending on the goods and their value.

You can carry other products that are not meat or plant based, such as bread, crisps, tea bags, etc. as long as they do not weigh over 2kg. You can also carry certain plant- or animal-based foods such as honey, snails and live oysters, as long as you have under 2kg.

You must declare all food products. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. The following are generally admissible: Condiments: ketchup (catsup), mustard, mayonnaise, Marmite and Vegemite and prepared sauces that do not contain meat products.

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example 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 general rule, you cannot bring meat, meat products, milk and milk products (e.g. charcuterie, cheese, yogurt) into the EU. You must declare any animal products you have in your luggage and present them to Customs.

It should be packed in foam or heavy corrugated cardboard. The food should be delivered as quickly as possible—ideally, overnight. Make sure perishable items and the outer package are labeled "Keep Refrigerated" to alert the recipient.