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Consumer Goods You Can Carry in Your Suitcase
Despite the free movement of goods within the European Union, there are already specific rules regarding the movement of certain consumer goods from one EU country to another. Failure to comply with these rules, which can vary from country to country, can result in confiscation of your goods, fines and even criminal prosecution.
Traveling in the EU
The good news is that if you are traveling in the EU, you can carry any meat or dairy product with you as long as it is for your own personal consumption. The same applies to cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they are grown in an EU country and are free from pests or diseases. These rules also apply if you carry meat, dairy or plant products in your luggage or if you order them online or have them sent by post.
However, there are some limitations for powdered milk (less than 10 kg), baby food, food required for medical reasons and special pet food. In the case of alcohol and tobacco, you have the right to carry such products, provided they are for your own use and not for resale. Each EU country can set its own guideline values for the quantities you can bring. However, these cannot be lower than the guideline values set at EU level. For example, 800 cigarettes, 1 kg of tobacco, 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of fortified wine, 90 liters of wine and 110 liters of beer, etc.
There are no EU-wide rules on traveling with cash between EU countries. However, you should always check with local customs authorities for local rules in countries of origin, transit and destination before traveling.
If you have a problem with faulty goods, faulty digital content or a faulty digital service purchased in any EU country while you are abroad, the European Consumer Center in your country can help you. For more detailed information on your rights under national law, be sure to check the specific rules on legal warranties and commercial guarantees in the country where you made the purchase.
Traveling to the EU from a Non-EU Country
If you are traveling to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. However, you can bring a limited amount of fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs, egg products and honey. A limited amount of fish or fish products is also allowed. However, most EU countries have strict rules regarding the transportation of endangered animals or plants. You may therefore need a permit in these cases.
You can also bring some goods into the EU exempt from VAT and excise duties, as long as they are not for resale and you comply with the set limits. For example, you can bring 4 liters of still wine and 16 liters of beer. In addition, you can bring 1 liter of spirits over 22 percent by volume (such as vodka or gin), or 1 liter of undenatured alcohol (ethyl alcohol) over 80 percent by volume, or 2 liters of fortified (such as sherry or port) or sparkling wine. As for tobacco, you should check the limits set by the customs authorities in the EU country you are traveling to.
For other goods, including perfume, you can carry up to 300 euros per passenger or 430 euros for those traveling by air and sea. Some EU countries apply a lower limit of 150 euros for passengers under 15 years old. If you are traveling by motorcycle in the EU, you can carry 10 liters (maximum) of fuel in a portable container in addition to the fuel in your fuel tank.
If you plan to enter or leave the EU with €10,000 in cash (or the equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it to the customs authorities in the EU country you are entering or leaving using the EU cash declaration form. If you do not make a cash declaration, or if the cash declaration is incorrect or incomplete, you will be subject to a penalty.
