Returning from Portugal? UK rules ban some popular food souvenirs

It’s a good time to be a vegan if you’re heading to the UK with Portuguese-themed presents or souvenirs about your person, and want to avoid up to £5000 of fines for any meat or dairy products that are now unwelcome in Blighty.

Shocked? Me too. As you might also be when the border enforcer asks: “Did you pack your own bags?”, as he or she pulls out a hastily included chouriço or ripe cheese that went down so well days earlier in Portugal but now seems to be ‘exhibit A’.

To avoid this foodie fail fate, please be aware of a UK regulation, originally implemented in April 2025, set to continue throughout 2026 – a strict ban on travellers bringing personal imports of meat and dairy products from the EU into Great Britain. This due to outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) here in Europe.

Prohibited items that could induce hefty fines, confiscation of edible souvenirs or gifts, and (additional) delays at the border, include all meat products, e.g. presunto, chouriço and linguiça, and all dairy products, e.g. the classic Serra da Estrela or novel-to-many requeijão.

The fresher dairy products are wise to avoid, anyways, now that temperatures have risen, but a push-back on the harder cheeses as well as the cold meats is a cruel biosecurity blow that I discovered in conversation with Caroline Lips, of expat travel insurers Staysure Expat, recently.

Asking her about any penalties for breaking the rules, she promptly replied: “Yes, the penalties can be severe. The (UK) Department of Rural Affairs say that if border officials find banned meat or dairy products in your luggage that you have not declared, the items will be immediately seized and destroyed. Furthermore, you could face a fine, and in the most serious cases, prosecution.

“You should check the rules regarding bringing food into the UK before flying to ensure you have the most up-to-date information,” she wisely added. “If you are ever unsure whether a food item in your luggage is permitted, always declare it in the ‘red channel’ at customs or via the red point phone. If you declare a banned item voluntarily, Border Force will simply dispose of it, and you will not be fined.”

Duly noted. But where does that leave committed gift-givers, Portugal lifestyle braggers and travellers to other parts of the world? If you are taking a trip from Portugal to another EU member state, Staysure Expat say these restrictions do not apply because the EU operates as a single market, and there are no customs checks or bans on transporting meat and dairy for personal consumption between members.

“Fortunately, many beloved Portuguese staples are entirely unrestricted and carry no biosecurity risks,” Caroline also explained. “Gourmet tinned fish like Conserveira de Lisboa, sweet treats like Ovos Moles de Aveiro, Marmelada (quince paste to us), Portuguese cold-pressed olive oil, Flor de Sal, and port wine all make lovely gifts, which really connect with the culture of Portugal, without breaking the rules!”

Remember though that in Portuguese airports, standard airport liquid rules still apply to your hand luggage, so ensure bottles of over 100ml are securely packed in your checked baggage.

The biggest shocker, however, for would-be UK entrants bearing gifts must be the greatest of all souvenirs from Portugal, the pastel de nata, often bagged last-minute at the airport in delightful presentation packaging. The custard contained therein is, of course, of dairy origin and, therefore, against the harshest interpretation of this ‘temporary emergency measure’.

Once you’re over this shock, best steer clear then, avoid the risk, and grab something inedible, yet equally and delightfully Portuguese.

Possibilities, in addition, or as an alternative to Caroline’s thoughtful suggestions, might include a hand-painted ceramic azulejo tile; something made of cork, given we’re the world’s top producer; maybe a ‘Heart of Viana’ filigree pendant or earrings; a ceramic surprise from Bordallo Pinheiro and Vista Alegre; or one of the many manifestations of the  Barcelos Rooster, perhaps rendered on a fine example of Portuguese textile?

A classic or contemporary Fado recording could equally fit the bill, as might a book from Lisbon’s Livraria Bertrand or Porto’s Livraria Lello. Portugal, thankfully, is awash with gift-giving possibilities. So, no need for a sausage surprise, cheesy moment, tart exchange or eggy atmosphere at his Majesty’s meat and dairy intolerant border.

Know the latest information at www.gov.uk

Read Carl Munson’s previous article: Right, said FRED. For best results, don’t argue with 88 inner voices