Travelling within the EU
When travelling within the European Union, you are generally allowed to carry consumer goods such as meat, dairy products, cut flowers, fruits, or vegetables without restrictions, provided they are for your personal use and originate from an EU country. This applies whether you are carrying these items in your luggage, ordering them online, or receiving them by mail. However, there are certain limits on specific items. For example, you can carry up to 10 kg of powdered baby milk, baby food, food required for medical purposes, or special feed for pets.
Regarding alcohol and tobacco, you can transport these products between EU countries for personal use as long as they are not intended for resale. While each EU country may set its own guidelines on the quantities allowed, they cannot be stricter than the EU-established limits. These limits are set at a minimum of 800 cigarettes, 1 kg of tobacco, 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of fortified wine, 90 liters of wine, and 110 liters of beer.
There are no uniform EU regulations for traveling with cash within the EU. It is advisable to check the specific requirements with the customs authorities of the countries you are departing from, transiting through, or arriving at.
If you encounter issues with defective goods, digital content, or digital services purchased while abroad within the EU, you can seek assistance from the European Consumer Centre in your home country. For more information on your rights under national laws, refer to the specific legal guarantees and commercial warranty rules of the country where the purchase was made.
Travelling to the EU from a Non-EU Country
When travelling to the EU from a non-EU country, the importation of meat and dairy products is generally prohibited. However, you are allowed to bring in limited quantities of fruit, vegetables, eggs, egg products, honey, and certain fish or fish products. Many EU countries have stringent regulations concerning the transport of endangered species of animals or plants, and in some cases, you may need to obtain a permit.
You may also bring certain goods into the EU free of VAT and excise duties, provided they are not for resale and you adhere to specific quantity limits. For instance, you can bring in up to 4 liters of still wine, 16 liters of beer, 1 liter of spirits over 22% alcohol by volume, or 2 liters of fortified or sparkling wine. The allowance for tobacco products varies, so it's important to check with the customs authorities of the EU country you are visiting.
For other goods, such as perfumes, the value you can carry is capped at €300 per traveller, or €430 for those traveling by air or sea. Some EU countries have a lower limit of €150 for travelers under the age of 15. If you are traveling by car, you are permitted to carry up to 10 liters of fuel in a portable container, in addition to the fuel in your vehicle's tank.
If you are entering or leaving the EU with €10,000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies), you must declare this amount to the customs authorities using the EU cash declaration form. Failure to submit a declaration, or submitting an incorrect or incomplete one, can result in penalties.