Eurotunnel - what food are you allowed to take?

General Discussion
1

Good morning everyone. I am visiting my holiday home in France in April and a lovely French friend of mine has asked if I can take her some Heinz baked beans and Heinz Tomato Soup as apparently they are the best!!! Does anyone know if you are allowed to take tinned food across the border through the Tunnel? Last time I travelled, obviously, we did not take any food with us but we also did not get stoped and searched, but I was wondering if tinned food is permissible anyway?

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I haven’t checked my facts recently so might be wrong - but I’m under the impression that you can’t officially bring any animal products - including dairy - eg. ‘cream of’ - into France.

Having said that, we’ve just come in by ferry and they only looked at our passports - they waived away our cartes de sejour, covid passes and sworn statements, and we had cheese, milk chocolate, etc in the car (we weren’t deliberately smuggling - just loathe to throw away leftovers and presents from our stay in the UK, although we were prepared to do so if they asked).

By the way - it’s easy to find Heinz beans etc here (in Brittany), though they are more expensive than (in my view nicer) alternatives.

3

I thought ‘cream of’ tomato soup was just a texture thing, and that it doesn’t actually contain any dairy product. Oh I checked and it does contain a bit.
( Baked beans are abominations and I’d have them disposed of by the démineurs but I think the douanes/police aux frontières are more tolerant :grin:).

I don’t think they will stop you.

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4

Hi Geoff

Thanks so much for this - I did tell my friend this but her son got a liking for them when at Uni over in the UK and she said she can’t find them in her supermarche, it may be that she has found them but would rather ask me to get them cheaper :rofl:

I have been so worried about what we bring over on our visits that I even do not bring sandwiches for fear that they will say that they contain butter (albeit that mine are flora :rofl:). Never had our car checked once to be honest but like you, I used to empty my fridge into a cool bag and bring it all with me so as not to waste it!

I might risk the beans and soup and see how I get on. Have a good week everyone, hope you don’t get any more storms like us :crossed_fingers:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

5

Ha ha a Vero

I have to say that I too have a penchant for backed beans so not just my friends son - however, absence makes the heart grow fonder (reminds me of a joke with the punch line “Abscess makes the fart go Honda” - very apt when one is discussing baked beans) so I quite like abstaining from them when in France :wink: :dash:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

1 Like
6

When I last came via the tunnel in November 2021 I openly had a ham & cheese sandwich on the passenger seat in full view. There was no issue.

The tins concerned will not be an issue.

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We crossed yesterday (UK-> France via tunnel) and nothing was checked besides passports. I hadn’t uploaded my vaccination documents and I was only asked to confirm I was vaccinated by both the UK and French officials. They didn’t even ask for any proof, which I had on my phone. We were asked if we had firearms however.

8

What you shamelessly flaunted your ham and cheese sandwich :scream::scream::scream::scream::scream:

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9

We will be coming back from the UK at the end of April if anyone wants some Heinz baked beans and Heinz Tomato Soup brought back, Vero :yum::grin:

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10

Thanks Mat - relieved to hear I can start taking sandwiches again!! Stay safe and keep smiling :sunglasses:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

11

Hi Peter, thanks for this, very reassuring. I definitely can honestly tell them we won’t have any firearms :face_with_spiral_eyes:

I think officials on both sides of the border are totally fed up with extra documents, checks and rules like we are and are using their excellent judgement :clap:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

12

Ha ha haa Griffin 36, maybe we have spotted a potential business venture, do you think Vero might want in/ :wink:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

1 Like
13

Seeing your signature Denise, couldn’t you just explain that “these aren’t the sandwiches you’re looking for”? :wink:

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14

Always - but I am an exhibitionist - I will show my cheese & pickle to anyone!

15

Now there’s another Avenue we might want to expand on :wink:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

16

Much prefer Branston :yum:

17

Actually, so do I Lily and what’s more, they are a lot cheaper but my friends son might be picky :rofl:

Denise Minton Dip.Hyp, MHS, LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

1 Like
18

There’s ‘allowed’ and ‘get away with’.

Under the Brexit agreement, animal and dairy products can not cross from the UK to France without extensive paperwork. In the very early days, there were tales of cheese sandwiches being confiscated from British travellers.

As the agreement beds down, although animal and dairy products are (strictly speaking) prohibited, I suspect that most guards will turn a blind eye to the odd ham sandwich or block of cheddar as long as it is a ‘personal consumption’ quantity. However, f their croissant was badly warmed that morning, they could decide to play by the rules!

As a vegetarian who is allergic to cheese, I don’t expect to be troubled however they choose to interpret the agreement. :wink:

19

Thanks Brian. Maybe I need to bring some lovely croissants from the French Bakery I have near me to bribe them :wink: I’m veggie too (bit of a novelty to the French) but sadly I love cheese do you can imagine my glee in the supermarche :cheese:

Denise Minton D.Hyp,LHS
Clinical Hypnotherapist

20

Never known anyone allergic to cheese, known people who dont like it. What happens Brian?