What food can I take to France in my motorhome?

Are you taking your motorhome to France and wondering what food you can take? We’ve put together our helpful guide, so you have the information from the European Commission* in one place.

What food can I take in my motorhome to France?

No meat and dairy-based products

Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU (European Union), the regulations for bringing food and drink into Europe are stricter. Rules came into effect in January 2021 that effectively prevent you from bringing meat and dairy-based products from the UK into France, even if they are for personal use.

Technically, that includes even something like a cheese sandwich. It also rules out the likes of cottage cheese, pork pies, pork scratchings, crisps with meat or fish flavourings and more – i.e., items you are unlikely to find on your travels through France.

There are some exceptions that you can take to France, such as prawns, lobsters, mussels, and snails (the last two must not be alive).

Fruit and vegetables grown in the EU

Fruit and vegetables are also covered. While you can bring anything originally grown in any EU country, providing it’s free from pests or disease, if any fruit or vegetables were grown in the UK or anywhere else outside the EU, you must be able to show a relevant plant health certificate. Exceptions include bananas, coconuts, dates and pineapples.

Processed foods

You can bring processed foods, chocolates, and other confectionery with you, provided they do not contain meat or dairy ingredients.

The good news is that there is an abundance of excellent food available throughout the country. Indeed, it’s one of the top reasons why people with motorhomes enjoy visiting.

Can you take food to France for young children?

Exceptions to the above include powdered milk and other food designed exclusively for children. However, such products have a 2kg weight limit; other rules state they must not require refrigeration before opening.

Can you take alcohol to France?

There are now limits as to how much alcoholic drink you can take with you from the UK going into France. These are:

• 16 litres of beer
• 4 litres of wine
• 1 litre of drink over 22% ABV (alcohol by volume)
• 2 litres of drink under 22% ABV

You must declare any alcoholic drinks you have on board, and you will have to pay excise and customs duties, as well as VAT and any of the above.  

What British favourite foods can you take to France in a motorhome?

There are plenty of “UK favourites” that you will find hard to track down in France. Foods such as baked beans, cornflakes (and other breakfast cereals), honey (up to 2kg), peanut butter, pickled onions, sliced white bread, tea bags, tomato ketchup, and vinegar. 

 You could consider bringing over any of your favourite dried herbs, spices and seasonings. Chilli powder, for example, is particularly hard to find throughout France.

Additionally, consider bringing with you particular brands that you might struggle to find, such as Branston Pickle, HP Sauce, Irn-Bru, Marmite, and others.

Can you take pet food to France?

Unless you have proof of medical reasons to the contrary, you should not take meat or dairy-derived pet food, including treats, into France from the UK. Even if you do have written back-up, the limit is 2kg.

Bringing dog food on your return journey from France to the UK is not restricted.

Extra tips for bringing food to France…

• French supermarkets, especially those located near the Channel ferry ports, are particularly well-equipped to cater to Brits.
• You won’t be far from fresh produce markets wherever you go in France.
• Stock up for your journeys abroad, but do be wary of the weight penalties. Tins and bottles, especially, can soon add up to affect your vehicle’s fuel economy, and roadholding and handling potentially.
• For further information and updates, see Personal imports - European Commission (Europa.eu)

*These are the rules and regulations of the time of writing - 22/04/2025.

What food can I take from France to the UK?

If you’re bringing food back from France to the UK with you in your motorhome, you’re allowed to bring the following products:

• Fish
• Some types of poultry, specifically chicken, goose, or duck or any products containing these meats
• Products from these animals (such as eggs)

Can I bring meat and cheese back from France?

Due to recent outbreaks of animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (also referred to as FMD), there is currently a temporary restriction on bringing meat, dairy, or animal products from some animals into the UK.

Foot and mouth disease is harmless to humans but is extremely contagious in cloven-hoofed animals and can result in them becoming seriously ill.

This ban was put in place on the 12th of April and will stay until the government is confident that these products pose no significant risk. The products include the following:

• Beef
• Pork
• Goat
• Lamb
• Mutton
• Venison
• Any product containing these meats
• Dairy products (such as butter, cheese, and yoghurt)
• Products not for human consumption that contain any of these meats (such as pet food)

There are additional exceptions to these rules, such as food required for infants or for medical purposes. Please read the UK Government website for the full details.

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