Irish travellers heading to Great Britain are now subject to stricter import rules that ban certain everyday food items.
The new restrictions apply to those traveling to England, Scotland, and Wales—but not to those entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.
The UK government introduced the measures on Saturday, April 12, in response to animal disease outbreaks in parts of the EU, including foot and mouth disease.
The 5 Banned Food Items:
Irish tourists can no longer bring the following into Great Britain:
- Cheese
- Milk
- Certain meats (such as pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison)
- Dairy products (e.g., butter, yoghurt)
- Sandwiches containing meat or dairy fillings
These rules apply to all EU citizens, regardless of how the food is packaged or whether it was bought at duty-free.
UK Government Guidelines: What’s Still Allowed
The UK government has confirmed that some animal products can still be brought in from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. These include:
- Fish
- Poultry (such as chicken, duck, goose, and products made from these)
- Other products like eggs and honey
However, due to ongoing health concerns, there are temporary bans on:
- Meat, dairy, and animal products from specific animals
- Animal products not intended for human consumption
- Any food brought in via connecting flights from non-EU countries
Strictly Prohibited:
- All red meats (beef, pork, lamb, etc.)
- Meat products (sausages, pâté, cured meats)
- Milk and dairy (cheese, butter, yoghurt)
Limited Exceptions:
Travellers may still carry up to 2kg per person of:
- Powdered infant milk
- Baby food
- Special dietary foods required for medical reasons
These items must
- Not require refrigeration before opening
- Be sealed and in branded, unopened packaging (unless already in use)
Items You Can Still Bring:
There are many foods that remain unrestricted, including
- Bread (as long as it’s not a meat or dairy sandwich)
- Cakes without fresh cream
- Biscuits
- Chocolate and sweets (not made with large amounts of unprocessed dairy)
- Pasta and noodles (only if not filled or mixed with meat)
- Packaged soups, stock cubes, flavourings
- Processed plant products (like packaged salads or frozen vegetables)
- Food supplements containing small amounts of animal products (e.g., fish oil capsules)
You can find out more here.