Food into Spain?

[David R]

Hi all, are we allowed to takefood into Spain or are they as strict as the French? We are taking the ferry direct UK to Spain

 

[Barbara]

Hi all, are we allowed to takefood into Spain or are they as strict as the French? We are taking the ferry direct UK to Spain

I believe the rule is for the EU so should be the same as France. https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal-products-movements/personal-imports_en

 

[Sad]

Funny enough, I was just checking on this!
"You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries"

France travel advice

FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

 

[The Tall Luthier]

This is absolutely the case. However our lived experience of going through the Eurotunnel suggests that no apparatus has been set up by the French to check fresh foods.

Also the worst they’re going to do is take your milk out of your fridge

 

[David R]

Thanks for this. My question really relates to the customs at Santander, are they as assiduous in checking as the French customs at the eurotunnel?

 

[Ting Tong]

No they didn’t seem bothered and we breezed through. Just don’t take what you can’t afford to lose. There’s a good carrefour in about a mile on the right before you get on the motorway.

 

[David R]

thank you TT, the right answer!

 

[Ian on the road]

No they didn’t seem bothered and we breezed through. Just don’t take what you can’t afford to lose. There’s a good carrefour in about a mile on the right before you get on the motorway.

Agree. Came through Thursday, only interest was for the V5 for the bike on the trailer.

 

[Azteccamper]

Agree. Came through Thursday, only interest was for the V5 for the bike on the trailer.

Did you print out covid passes or just show them digital copy on phone?

 

[WelshGas]

Did you print out covid passes or just show them digital copy on phone?

I printed mine out. I’ve travelled through 6 countries, have had Passport checked 3 times , the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and have not been asked about my Covid Pass once.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I printed mine out. I’ve travelled through 6 countries, have had Passport checked 3 times , the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and have not been asked about my Covid Pass once.

How many times did they check the fridge…

 

[Ian on the road]

How many times did they check the fridge…

My experience too. COVID pass asked for at check-in at Plymouth but not Spain or Portugal. Paper or e-version OK at Plymouth. Also asked if I was carrying any knives. Shock when I said I had a drawer full.

 

[soulstyledevon]

My experience too. COVID pass asked for at check-in at Plymouth but not Spain or Portugal. Paper or e-version OK at Plymouth. Also asked if I was carrying any knives. Shock when I said I had a drawer full.

That’s a new one.
Perhaps you look a bit dodgy…

 

[WelshGas]

How many times did they check the fridge…

Not once. Nor the underneath draw or kitchen cupboards.

 

[Stevepostill]

Thanks for this. My question really relates to the customs at Santander, are they as assiduous in checking as the French customs at the eurotunnel?

We’ve just come back from Santander, the answer is no… they aren’t.

We had a random ‘full customs check’ which was just a glance in the van. They didn’t even ask me to open the Yeti box.

 

[Bulli Ocean 1]

Hi, we are currently in Spain in Torla ( Pyrenees) we arrived on Wednesday 11th May on the ferry from Portsmouth. We decided not to bring any food as the supermarkets here are better than back home and cheaper. Also we didn’t want to leave the fridge on for 2 days whilst the Cali was on the ferry as it could potentially drain the leisure batteries. This is our first trip into Europe in our Cali and and no issues so far. We downloaded our covid passes onto our phones and they were only checked in Portsmouth. Customs in Santander only checked and stamped our passports and then waved us through.

 

[Milly]

We arrived back a week ago too - meat dairy etc as above are banned but the fridge was not checked at Santander. They were keen on knowing how much cash we were travelling with ? And scanned the van before we were released
HOWEVER the supermarkets in Spain tend to be all shut on Sundays if you are catching the friday crossing which arrives early Sunday am
Have a great trip

 

[JULIANLISMORE]

I printed mine out. I’ve travelled through 6 countries, have had Passport checked 3 times , the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and have not been asked about my Covid Pass once.

We are gradually wending our way from home in Scotland to Harwich, bound for Hook of Holland and ultimately friends in north Jutland.

We are very aware of the prohibition on importation of meat and dairy products from the UK to any EU country (although this is our first trip since Brexit), but reading the government guidelines almost all other food, e.g. Plant-derived products (which covers just about all the “dry goods” we normally carry) are prohibited too. We also have a bottle of single malt (plant-derived again) on board to present to our Danish friends.

What is the experience of fellow Cali travellers?

 

[soulstyledevon]

@JULIANLISMORE I’ve been over to Europe 3 times this year with the van and haven’t been checked once.
If you read about the chaos at Felixstowe today, I’m sure the last thing on their busy list of things to do, is check some guys camping fridge. Stocked or not…

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Doesn’t it seen odd that for the 50 years we were in the EU none of this was a problem, now it’s a huge problem. Is it that all of a sudden we are going to transmit all sorts of horrible diseases into Mainland Europe (And Southern Ireland). My can of Peaches from Spain and cheese from France are banned. Don’t even think about taking a ham sandwich or a flask of coffee with milk in it.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

@JULIANLISMORE I’ve been over to Europe 3 times this year with the van and haven’t been checked once.
If you read about the chaos at Felixstowe today, I’m sure the last thing on their busy list of things to do, is check some guys camping fridge. Stocked or not…

What chaos at Felixstowe, please, @JULIANLISMORE ?

Is it this https://theloadstar.com/chaos-at-po...ens-as-carriers-refuse-return-of-empty-boxes/ ?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We also have a bottle of single malt (plant-derived again) on board to present to our Danish friends.

What is the experience of fellow Cali travellers?

Most Cali travellers & friends would welcome a bottle of single malt!

As long as it’s not more than 10litres, you are fine; but if challenged it’s easier to say it’s for your own consumption:

Customs rules when travelling within the EU | The Danish Customs Agency

You can bring goods into Denmark when you return from travelling without paying customs duties, VAT and excise duties. However, there are quantity limits for alcohol and tobacco. Read more here.

skat.dk

 

[Jim2007]

We are gradually wending our way from home in Scotland to Harwich, bound for Hook of Holland and ultimately friends in north Jutland.

We are very aware of the prohibition on importation of meat and dairy products from the UK to any EU country (although this is our first trip since Brexit), but reading the government guidelines almost all other food, e.g. Plant-derived products (which covers just about all the “dry goods” we normally carry) are prohibited too. We also have a bottle of single malt (plant-derived again) on board to present to our Danish friends.

What is the experience of fellow Cali travellers?

Went through Europoort on the other side of the river from Hoek a few weeks ago. Polite enquiry about my trip and vaccinations status. No interest in the contents of the van, food or otherwise.

Our current plan is to follow in your footsteps to north Jutland in late August and September. Looking forward to it very much. Enjoy.

 

[Juzza]

Hi all, are we allowed to takefood into Spain or are they as strict as the French? We are taking the ferry direct UK to Spain

One of the reasons campervans are unpopular is their occupants failure to support the places they visit. It’s as if they want to look out at the world rather than engage with it. Don’t take food with you but go out and buy it locally, support the places you visit, explore the differences of being abroad. Other wise you may as well park up in the garage and put up a big screen showing tours through the French countryside.

 

[andyinluton]

One of the reasons campervans are unpopular is their occupants failure to support the places they visit. It’s as if they want to look out at the world rather than engage with it. Don’t take food with you but go out and buy it locally, support the places you visit, explore the differences of being abroad. Other wise you may as well park up in the garage and put up a big screen showing tours through the French countryside.

I don’t think anyone was suggesting taking two weeks worth of food, it’s more about being able to cross a border with a little bit of milk, butter, ham, cheese etc to be able to make something to eat / drink en-route so you are not forced to spend your first hour in a new country shopping in a supermarket.
Seeing the queues at Dover yesterday would encourage me to continue travelling with at least a few bits in the fridge. You never know when you are going to get stuck!