Have you ever had doubts during a trip about what food or liquids on board you’re allowed to bring? This can ruin your weekend–trip or a summer vacation!
Well, we had many doubts about it and that’s why we wrote this ultimate guide about what liquids you can bring on board and all the rules.
So, with this guide, you’re going to learn all the rules to know about food and liquids on board, travelling within the EU or around the world.
Ready to start? Here we go!
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What food and liquids are allowed on board within the EU?
Hey, you can breathe a sigh of relief now! Within the European Union you can travel freely with no problems even if you’re carrying liquids in your Ryanair hold baggage or on board with Easyjet!
The same applies to food since all member countries follow the same health rules.
So can you bring food on the plane? Yes, but be careful! You can bring anything only if stowed.
So you won’t have any problems for liquids in your hold baggage or if you bought at the duty free (as a matter of fact whatever you buy after the airport checks is free to board any plane).
But if you want to bring liquids in your hand baggage, then things are a bit different.
Take note in order not to get seized anything at check-in:
- Maximum capacity allowed in hand luggage = 1 liter
- Where to buy liquids’ bags or the containers for the plane? Anywhere actually, even in large supermarkets.
- Instead of bags, you can also buy containers with the exact capacity, at least you don’t have to buy them every time.
- The maximum capacity is for each passenger.
If you’re wondering what to do in case of particular diet’s food, medicines or baby food
And if you’re wondering what you should do, if you want to bring a few bottles of good local vodka with you on your way home from Warsaw…
Here are the rules regarding the transport of alcoholic beverages, taken from the European legislation in force (these are the quantities for hold baggage):
- 10 liters of spirits
- 20 liters of alcoholic wine
- 90 liters of wine (of which a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine)
- 110 liters of beer.
If you don’t exceed these limits for personal use, you won’t have problems with the customs authorities, otherwise you will have to prove that what you have purchased is for personal use.
What if you won’t be able to prove it?
Well, they’ll charge you customs duties and some fussy agent might even make you pay a fine.
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What to do when you’re traveling to a non-European country?
Whenever we go outside the EU we all have that weird feeling that for any little violation of any rule, even if we didn’t do it on purpose, the consequences might be very serious.
Just admit it, we know you feel the same. And if you don’t, then probably we are the weirdos!
But don’t worry, dear traveler. Keep reading and all your concerns will disappear.
Case 1: Food and liquids on the plane for trips from non-European countries to the EU: how to get rid of any problem!
All EU member countries follow the same regulation, aimed at avoiding the spread of diseases and epidemics caused by harmful and dangerous food or liquids transported within their borders.
Obviously very few people will have the time and the desire to go and read the regulation, so we’re going to give you a brief summary, just for you to know what to do.
The following foods are not allowed if you are traveling to the EU:
- Meat
- Milk and dairy products
Food from San Marino, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Croatia, Faeroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland are exceptions.
What if I have to bring medicines or diet food?
You can bring with no restriction milk powder, baby food, medicines and food for people that are on a particular diet. This only applies if everything is in its original packaging and has not been refrigerated before boarding and of course if you have a prescription.
Pay attention, don’t forget anything, because you might run into fines and criminal proceedings.
In summary:
What food and liquids are allowed on board? Here are some examples:
- Broth for soups
- Milk Powder, homogenized
- Honey
- Olives and the like
- Everything that does not contain meat and milk products
Case 2: Food and liquids on board carried to non-European countries, pay close attention
The best thing to do is to inquire at the government website of the country you are going to visit or on the website of the embassy of your own country so that you don’t have language problems and you are 100% sure that you can’t misunderstand.
Don’t forget that any misunderstanding with local authorities can cause you huge problems, so you better get informed in time and avoid any complication.
Therefore, we’re about to provide you with the general rules for the main destinations around the world, in order to give you an overview as complete as possible and make you avoid confiscations of food and liquids at the airport:
?? Russia: The most important rule to remember is that any food of animal origin must have its original packaging with all the information of the manufacturer. The maximum limit of food that can be carried beyond customs is 5 kg (11 lb), any excess will be confiscated, or you will have to fill in the documentation. (Check the official website for more info. Don’t worry, there’s also the English translation).
?? Paesi mussulmani: any food that contains even only traces of pork meat will be blocked at customs.
?? Giappone: There is no actual regulation for the products that are allowed or not in the country. In general, we found out that meat products are subject to quarantine, therefore to controls.
So make sure that you’re not bringing meat products.
On the other hand, as for milk products, from November 1st 2017, Italy has been included in the countries authorized to export milk and dairy products to Japan. However, you must provide the necessary health certification and as usual there’s a lot of paperwork.
?? Stati Uniti:
The rules are the same as the European Union (visit your country embassy website for more info).
Every product that you want to import into the States has to be declared on one of those forms that will be given to you on the plane. If you don’t declare everything, you may run into very expensive fines. How much expensive? Well, fines can go up to € 10,000. Not exactly something you would laugh about, would you?
Generally, you can bring these foods and liquids on board (unless there’s some epidemic in the countries of origin) to the USA:
- Olive oil
- Dried fruit
- Cheese
- Fruit Juice
- Powdered beverages
- Coffee
- Pasta
- Canned Goods
These are the principal rules and precautions that should be considered whenever you travel outside your country and you want to bring with you food and liquids on board.
We invite you again to check the government website of the country you’re going to visit or the website of the embassy of your own country.
What about you, have you ever had problems during one of your trips while carrying food or liquids on board?
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Stay there, dear traveler! One more thing:
Did you find this article about food and liquids on board useful? We really hope so. If you have any comments about it, let us know in the comment section below.
And if you have any doubt about food and liquids on board, tell us in the comments, we will answer in 24 hours, hand on heart!