Search all content on GOV.UK

Apply for meals at home from your council or other local organisation

The rules on bringing food or animal products into Great Britain from abroad: restrictions, types of food and the amount you can bring.

• Overview

  There are rules for bringing food or animal products into Great Britain…

• Meat, dairy, fish and animal products

  The rules on bringing meat, dairy, fish and other animal products depend…

• Fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds

  The rules on bringing fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds depend on the…

• Pet food

  The rules on bringing pet food depend on the country you’re bringing it…

• Check if you need a CITES permit

  You may need to apply for a permit or certificate if you’re bringing any…

• If you break the rules

  If you declare banned food products to Border Force officers at customs,…

If you run a food business you must have a hazard analysis plan (HACCP) to meet food safety and hygiene standards

Tax and reporting rules for employers providing meals for employees and directors

Find out the information you must give to customers on food products and how to give it.

• Updated: 20 September 2022

How to get refrigerated or heated vans, trucks and trailers approved to transport perishable food in or out of the UK, and the documents you need to have.

• Updated: 29 January 2026

What you need to do to export or move food, drink and agricultural products.

• Updated: 13 May 2025

Find out what a composite food product is, and the rules you need to follow to export or move these products from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland.

• Updated: 1 May 2025

How food shops, manufacturers, and distributors must dispose of or handle former foodstuffs or food waste.

• Updated: 21 October 2014

Food for Britain was the Defra sponsored Non-Departmental Public Body promoting UK food exports between 1983 and 2009.

• Updated: 15 April 2021