forbidden food in hand luggage

[Bongtrees]

Rellie wants to take back to UK a couple of packets of pipas and some saffron in her hand luggage, does anyone know if there any restrictions on this type of stuff?

[annfoto]

As far as I am aware there is no restriction on either, why should there be?.
Neither are liquid and as long as they are suitably packaged identifying what they are then I see no problem.

[Campo Steve]

Shouldn't be a problem. The published list of banned items in hand baggage isn't definitive and security do have discretion to not allow other items. For example, a container of face powder normally carried in a handbag would be OK whereas a couple of kilos of ant powder wouldn't be allowed. However, the quantities of saffron you are likely to take will be OK.

The other area where some items come under scrutiny is the import of foodstuffs. Within the EU most foodstuffs can be taken as long as they are grown within the EU. Foodstuffs brought in from outside the EU are more restricted. However, although the saffron and pipas may have been grown outwith the EU, as they were bought in the EU they would already have been passed for import so, again, not a problem. Not that they are likely to check anyway. There seem to be far fewer, if any, checks at most points of entry into UK compared to the likes of Australia and NZ where they take food items much more seriously.

Bottom line, no problem with your relatives pipas and saffron.

[frank]

Bottom line, no problem with your relatives pipas and saffron.

If customs get a bit arsy, tell them they're wrong, andalucia.com said it was OK!

[masterob]

This is what DEFRA in the UK say:

http://tinyurl.com/chpsqke

It seems, if I've read it correctly, that there are no problems for imports within the EU.

[Sandramay]

I have taken both these items back to the UK on more than one occasion with no problems

[El Cid]

It seems, if I've read it correctly, that there are no problems for imports within the EU.

Absolutely right.

Free movement of Cornish Pasties within the EU so long as they are cooling down.

Sid

[gretch]

My stepson once took a whole jamon back to Britain in a rucksack, its foot/trotter was sticking out of the top

[WomBatt]

You may take any foodstuff which can be legally purchased within the EU across any border within the EU.

[oliveview01]

I thought there was a ban on things like potatoes and hams? There was (a couple of years ago) a sign up as you picked up the luggage saying they were banned ( I was taking MiL some potatoes from our garden I wasn´t planning to plant them, just eat them, so I ignored the sign )
Since then I have travelled with hand luggage only, so don´t know if the sign is still there.

[masterob]

If you read the link I gave above you will see that there isn't for goods purchased within the EU.

[Campo Steve]

Not strictly true masterob, but you have to delve a bit deeper. For example, although Cyprus is in the EU there are quite heavy restrictions from some parts of it. Other parts of the EU have certain restrictions e.g. caviar is OK, but not from endangered species of sturgeon.

As for potatoes, if they are for eating they are OK but seed potatoes are not allowed. Pre-packed seeds are OK, but maximum 5 packets.

There is a lot more to it than stated on your link.

Max weight of food stuffs allowed is 2kg total but that would be a lot of saffron!

[mdavid]

No restrictions on carrying either, though there is a limit to the amount you can carry , that you must confirm from the airport authorities. i guess about 100grams of saffron is allowed at one time. . . . it may differ though:)

[carrowcrin]

I noticed from the website mentioned in mastermob post that all meats are totally banned, can someone confirm if this is the case as i carry meat produce in both directions all of the time.

Thanks

[Campo Steve]

That ban is for meat products being brought in from outside the EU. No problem if within the EU. Of course, temporary bans could be brought in should there be an outbreak of, say, foot and mouth in Spain but as far as I am aware there are no such bans at the moment.

This leaflet, assuming the link works, makes it much clearer:

http://tinyurl.com/6r3ljot

[gerryw80]

Saffron is permitted. no restriction on that except for the limited amount that they allow which you will have to confirm from the authorities. What is Pipas?

[Campo Steve]

Pipas. Sunflower seeds that the Spanish seem to love.

[gus-lopez]

Max weight of food stuffs allowed is 2kg total but that would be a lot of saffron!

Maximum weight !!! My nephew & his wife have just gone back with a leg of serrano, 5 Litres of our olive oil, olives, chillies, etc.

[swerve]

gus did they fly and if so was the olive oil in there case in the hold or in hand lugage.

[gus-lopez]

gus did they fly and if so was the olive oil in there case in the hold or in hand lugage.

They flew easyjet & It was in the hold. Our daughters always take at least 2L back depending on how much other tat they've got.