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 not part of the EU (European Union), the regulations for bringing food and drink with us into Europe are tighter. Rules came into effect from January 2021 that effectively prevent you from bringing meat and dairy-based products from the UK into France, even if only 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 plenty of excellent food can be found throughout the country. Indeed, it’s one of the top reasons why people with motorhomes like to visit.

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, and 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 drink 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.

Also, among particular brands you might want to bring with you that you might struggle to find are: Branston Pickle, HP Sauce, Irn Bru, Marmite… arguably, and so on.

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.

Bring 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 near the Channel ferry ports, are particularly good at providing for 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 - 03/07/2024.

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