Consumer items you possibly can carry in your suitcase

Despite freedom of motion of products throughout the EU, there are specific guidelines on taking sure shopper items from one EU nation to a different. Failure to adjust to set allowances, which might range from nation to nation, might end result within the confiscation of your items, a wonderful and even prison prosecution. 

Travelling within the EU 

The excellent news is that in case you are travelling within the EU, you possibly can carry any meat or dairy merchandise with you so long as they’re on your personal private consumption. The similar goes for minimize flowers, fruit or greens so long as they’ve been grown in an EU nation and are free from pests or illness. These guidelines additionally apply if you carry meat, dairy or plant merchandise in your baggage, or in case you organize them on-line or have them despatched by mail.  

There are, nonetheless, limits on powdered child milk (lower than 10 kg), child meals, meals required for medical causes, and particular pet feed. 

When it involves alcohol and tobacco, you’re entitled to move such merchandise, offered they are on your personal use and never for resale. Each EU nation can set their very own guideline values for the portions which you could herald. However, these values can’t be decrease than the rules ranges established at EU-level: 800 cigarettes, 1kg of tobacco, 10 litres of spirits, 20 litres of fortified wine, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer. 

There are no EU-wide guidelines on travelling with money between EU nations. You ought to, nonetheless, at all times examine earlier than you journey with the native customs authorities, if native guidelines exist within the nation of departure, transit and arrival. 

If you will have an issue with defective items, defective digital content material or a defective digital service purchased in any EU nation whereas overseas, the European Consumer Centre in your nation may help. For extra detailed details about your rights below nationwide legislation, examine the precise guidelines on authorized ensures and industrial warranties for the nation the place you made your buy. 

Travelling to the EU from a non-EU nation 

If you’re travelling to the EU from a non-EU nation, you aren’t allowed to carry any meat or dairy merchandise with you. You can, nonetheless, carry a restricted amount of fruit and greens in addition to eggs, egg merchandise and honey. Restricted portions of fish or fish merchandise are additionally allowed. Most EU nations have strict guidelines on carrying endangered animals or crops, and in some circumstances, chances are you’ll want a allow.  

You may carry into the EU sure items freed from VAT and excise duties with you if they aren’t for resale and also you respect the set limits. For instance, you possibly can herald 4 litres of nonetheless wine and 16 litres of beer. In addition, you possibly can carry 1 litre of spirits over 22 % vol. (resembling vodka or gin) or 1 litre of undenatured alcohol (ethyl alcohol) of 80% vol. or 2 litres of fortified (for instance sherry or port) or glowing wine. As for tobacco, it’s best to examine the boundaries indicated by the customs authorities within the EU nation you’re travelling to.  

For different items, together with fragrance, chances are you’ll carry as much as a worth of €300 per traveller or €430 for travellers by air and sea. Some EU nations apply a decrease restrict of €150 for travellers below 15. And in case you’re motoring across the EU, you possibly can carry 10 litres (most) of gas in a conveyable container, along with the gas contained in your gas tank.  

If you plan to enter or depart the EU with €10 000 in money (or its equal in different currencies) you should declare it to the customs authorities within the EU nation you’re getting into or leaving, utilizing the EU money declaration type. If you don’t submit a money declaration or the money declaration is wrong or incomplete, you’ll be topic to penalties. 

For extra data 

What can you take with you when travelling in the EU? 

Shopping in the EU

EU cash declaration form 

National customs websites 

Passenger rights within the EU 

Health insurance coverage whereas travelling within the EU 

Travelling together with your pets within the EU 

European Consumer Centres Network