Travellers coming to the UK fined for 5 items 'even if bought at duty free'

People could be fined as much as £5,000 for bringing certain items to the UK, even if they were bought at the duty free section of your outgoing airport. Last month the Government implemented new rules about what can be brought over the border, in response to a serious disease outbreak across Europe.

People visiting, or returning, from hotspots such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, who must make sure that their luggage is free of banned products. The new rules ban travellers from bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk into the UK.

The restriction applies to all EU countries, and it doesn't matter whether they're unpacked, pre-packaged, or if they were bought at duty free. Anyone caught with the banned items will have to give them up, or could see them confiscated and destroyed at the border.

Officials explained: "In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England." The policy aims to stop food and mouth disease (FMD), which has seen a surge in cases across Europe, spreading to the UK.

While Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) poses no threat to humans and there are currently no cases in the UK, it is a highly infectious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas. The recent outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.

The economic impact of FMD can be substantial due to decreased productivity in affected animals and loss of access to international markets for animals, meat and dairy products. In response to confirmed FMD outbreaks in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year, the Government has already prohibited personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants, pig meat and dairy products from these countries.

The newly imposed restrictions apply solely to travellers arriving in Great Britain and will not affect personal imports coming from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said when it was launched: “This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot & mouth. That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.

UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: “Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.

“Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion. I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

A limited set of exemptions from these rules in place. For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed. For more information click here.