Coming from the EU
Personal-use food is generally fine.You can carry meat and dairy for your own consumption. EU-grown fruit, vegetables and plants can also be carried if free from pests or disease.
Poland · Customs
Can I Bring Food Into Poland?
A suitcase full of food is simple inside the EU, but very different when you arrive from the USA, Great Britain or another non-EU country.
Checked 17 August 2026
SHORT ANSWER
From another EU country: usually yes. From the USA, UK or most other non-EU countries: meat and dairy are generally not allowed.
The key question is where the food comes from, not whether you arrive by plane or car.
Coming from outside the EU
No meat or dairy in ordinary personal luggage.This applies to arrivals from countries such as the USA and Great Britain, subject to specific country/product exceptions.
FROM THE USA / GREAT BRITAIN / OTHER NON-EU COUNTRIES
What food can you bring?
🥩MeatNO
No ordinary personal imports of meat or meat products.
🧀Milk & dairyNO
Milk, cheese and other dairy products are generally prohibited.
🐟FishLIMITED
Up to 20 kg, or one fish if that fish weighs more.
🍯Honey / other animal productsLIMITED
Generally up to 2 kg for products covered by this category.
🍼Baby / medical foodLIMITED
Special exemptions can allow up to 2 kg if packaging and storage conditions are met.
🍎Fruit & vegetablesCHECK
Many plant products from non-EU countries require a phytosanitary certificate. Bananas, coconuts, dates, durians and pineapples are notable exceptions.
Great Britain vs Northern Ireland: the simple non-EU rule above is aimed at travellers from England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has special arrangements for goods, so check current official guidance if that is where the food comes from.
Plane vs car?
For these food rules, the transport method usually does not change the basic answer. A ham sandwich from the USA does not become legal because it is in checked luggage rather than a car.
FAQ
Bringing food into Poland
Can I bring cheese from the USA to Poland?
Generally no. Dairy products from most non-EU countries cannot be brought into the EU in ordinary personal luggage.
Can I bring a sandwich with ham from Great Britain?
Generally no. Great Britain is outside the EU for these rules, and meat products are generally prohibited in personal luggage entering the EU.
Can I bring food from Germany to Poland?
Generally yes for personal consumption, including meat and dairy, because both countries are in the EU.