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Can I bring honey, fish, eggs or baby food from a country outside the EU?

In short

Yes, in limited quantities. You can bring up to 20 kg of fish, and up to 2 kg in total of products such as honey and eggs. Meat and dairy products are banned.

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This rule in 60 seconds
Video transcript

Your suitcase holds honey, fish and eggs. Plus a little cheese and sucuk. It depends: Fish max. 20 kg, honey and eggs max. 2 kg in total. Meat and dairy products are completely banned. The right way: Respect the limits and pack no meat or dairy. If you are not sure, take the red channel. Outcome: Over the limit: Seized and destroyed; Also: Risk of a fine; For sale: Smuggling investigation.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Fish and seafood: up to 20 kg or one fish (whichever is heavier). Fresh fish must be gutted.
  • Other animal products such as honey, eggs, snails, live mussels and oysters: up to 2 kg in total.
  • Infant formula, baby food and special medical foods: up to 2 kg. They must not need refrigeration before opening, must be branded products and must be in unopened packaging.
  • Meat and dairy products such as meat, sucuk, pastırma, cheese and butter are not covered by these limits; they are banned altogether.
  • If you are over the limit or are not sure, go through the red channel at customs and declare the products.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
Products over the limit or that do not meet the rules are seized and destroyed; you also risk a fine.

Legal basis:Your Europe – Vlees en zuivel meenemen

Court / prison
A prison sentence is unlikely for personal use; bringing in large quantities to sell can lead to a smuggling investigation.

Legal basis:AWDA 18.7.1977, art. 220 §1

What really matters: the indirect consequences

Why does this rule exist?

Food of animal origin can carry animal diseases. The limits allow for personal use while protecting animals and food safety in Europe.

Check your own situationSuitcase and customsComing back from outside the EU? Pack your suitcase and see what gets you into trouble at customs.

Where can you go?

  • CustomsIf in doubt, go through the red channel at the airport and ask
  • Food safety agency (FAVV / AFSCA)Rules for bringing in food and plants
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
11 / 11 statements in an official source
Checked: 12.10.2026
Last checked
12.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

Related rules

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I am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid?

Partly. The European Health Insurance Card is only valid in EU countries and a few other European countries. If you are going to a country that has a social security agreement with Belgium, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) for a form for that country. For other countries, check your travel insurance.Open the rule Travel and customsNot allowed

Can I bring sucuk, salami or dried meat in my suitcase when I come back from a country outside the EU?

No. You cannot bring meat or meat products from a country outside the EU. This includes homemade products and small amounts. There are exceptions only for a few European countries, such as Switzerland and Norway.Open the rule Travel and customsNot allowed

Can I bring cheese, butter, yoghurt or cream from a country outside the EU?

No. You cannot bring dairy products from a country outside the EU (except from a few European countries such as Switzerland and Norway). There are only a few exceptions, such as infant formula and medical diet products.Open the rule