Importing food products

When arriving at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport (Russia) from EU countries via a third country (e.g., Turkey), personal quantities of food products such as cheese, sausages, and wine are generally permitted and not confiscated by customs. Checks for prohibited food items are less stringent in this scenario. However, strict prohibitions and intensified checks apply to certain meat products (especially those containing pork) when crossing land borders from Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) into Russia.

Bringing food items into France requires adherence to customs regulations. One traveler successfully transported homemade salted red fish in vacuum-sealed and thermal packaging within checked luggage without issues. For other food items like salo (pork fat), travelers should verify specific import restrictions or be prepared for potential customs scrutiny.

According to EU regulation 2019/2122, travellers are prohibited from bringing meat or meat products into the EU from countries outside the EU (including Kazakhstan). While some travellers might pass through customs unnoticed, official policy requires the seizure of any meat products found in personal luggage to prevent the spread of animal diseases like African Swine Fever. Official information is available on the French Douane website.

Travelers have successfully brought homemade food items, such as honey, jam, salted mushrooms, and lightly salted salmon, into France via checked luggage without issues or specific certification requirements, despite general concerns about stricter customs rules.

When importing food into France, caviar (red and black) is generally allowed for personal use in reasonable quantities. However, specific meat products like horse meat (kazy, konina) are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated or require immediate consumption upon detection by customs.