France is renowned around the world for its wonderful produce, from its stinky cheeses to cured meats, foie gras and elaborate patisserie.
Food items are a popular gift, and many people might be considering taking a little bit of French gastronomy to the UK or US with them this Christmas.
But it is worth checking what is allowed, as customs restrictions mean you may not be able to take some items across the border.
From France to the UK
A temporary ban on the import of many meats and dairy products from the EU for personal use, implemented by the UK government in April 2025, is still in place.
The ban was brought in after several breakouts of food and mouth disease in the EU, to protect UK farmers, livestock and the UK food security.
This means there are restrictions against bringing many popular products from France into Great Britain (the rules cover England, Scotland and Wales), regardless of whether the products are packed or packaged or they were bought in duty free.
What does the ban cover?
Dairy products
Cheese, milk, butter and yoghurt
Meat products
Pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison, products made from these meats such as sausages.
This means you cannot take popular French produce including pâté, cured meats, or even a ham and cheese sandwich.
What happens if I take these items anyway?
If you declare banned food to the UK Border Force officers at customs, the items will be seized and destroyed, according to the British government.
If you do not declare the banned food items, you face a fine of up to £5,000 for the most serious cases.
What can I bring from France to the UK?
There are no restrictions on bringing the following food items from France to the UK.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks including beers, wine, champagne and absinthe are all allowed. The limits are:
Beer: 42 litres
Wine (not sparkling): 18 litres
Spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol: 4 litres OR
Alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol that do not include beer or non-sparkling wine (such as sparkling wine, cider, sherry): 9 litres
If you exceed these limits, you will have to pay tax and duty on your items.
From France to the USA
All food brought into the US must be declared at customs. This involves filling in a form and detailing what food you are bringing from France to the US.
Banned products
Meat products
Many meats, and products containing meat, are highly restricted in the US. These can include sausages, and tinned and fresh produce.
Most beef products, whether fresh, frozen or cooked, are not allowed into the US because of any possible links to foot and mouth disease.
Fruit and vegetables
You are not allowed to bring almost all fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables from France into the US because of the risk of them carrying pests or diseases that could affect American agriculture.
Commercially canned fruit and vegetables are usually allowed, but not home-canned products.
Absinthe
The famed spirit, long associated with France, is not allowed into the US because of thujone, a compound in wormwood found in small amounts in many absinthes that was blamed for the drink’s famous hallucinogenic effects.
Bottles that are “thujone-free” might be allowed, but they cannot have ‘absinthe’ in standalone text on the label, absinthe as the brand name, or any graphics that suggest hallucinogenic or mind-bending properties.
Kinder surprise
The popular, toy-filled chocolate eggs are banned in the US because the small toys are a choking hazard for small children.
Products that are – usually – allowed
Cheese
Most cheeses are fine to bring into the US from France. It is always best to opt for commercially packaged and labelled produce. Very runny cheeses that could be classed as a liquid may pose a problem if carried in cabin luggage.
Foie gras
Foie gras, if packed well, is generally allowed. It must be commercially packaged and sealed, and either canned or jarred.
What can I bring from France to the US?
Baked goods including bread, cereal, crackers and cakes are “generally admissible” according to US Customs, except for anything stuffed with meat.
Alcohol
Generally travellers over 21 can take one litre of alcohol into the US duty free. Anything more will be subject to duty and taxes. This law is often determined by the state, however, so it is worth checking individual state limits.
Are there any items I can’t bring to France from abroad?
Meat and dairy
If you are travelling into the EU from any non-EU country, including the UK and US, you cannot bring any meat or dairy products with you. This includes sausage, cured meats and cheeses. (Exceptions include powdered baby milk.)
Fruits and vegetables
Bringing in most fruits and vegetables is not allowed, with the exception of bananas, coconuts, dates, durians and pineapples.
Christmas crackers
Aside from food, a staple of any British festive table are Christmas crackers. We have not identified strict rules relating to bringing these to France in person, however they are not allowed to be posted. EasyJet says they may cause ‘confusion’ at customs so are best placed in hold luggage, whereas Eurostar also recommends not carrying them in hand luggage.
