Bringing food back to UK

[Steve A]

When we had our villa,to my dismay Mrs A Would always take bacon,cheese,PEK,tea,coffee etc.to use on holiday.It was always packed in the suitcase and never any issues.
But we have never done it the other way round.
I like cooking and some of Olive oils,salca,herbs,spices,cheeses,olives,nuts etc are the best you can get and very reasonably priced compared to U.K.
So my question is do you ever travel home with foodstuffs,what do you buy,how do you pack it in your luggage and should you be making any sort of declaration as I know there are certain things you can’t carry.

[bob 1]

we took steak back in suitcase no problems

[Scunner]

It’s the same both ways and between most countries. You shouldn’t and may be in trouble if rumbled.

Doesn’t stop us though

[scorcher]

.....will now!   

[KKOB]

The biggest 'no-nos' are dairy or meat products. You'd probably be OK with reasonable amounts of the other items. There are a few Turkish markets that sell online in the UK and Amazon also stock Turkish products.

[Steve A]

Thanks for the replies but this was the bit I was after;
So my question is do you ever travel home with foodstuffs,what do you buy,how do you pack it in your luggage and should you be making any sort of declaration as I know there are certain things you can’t carry.

[Scunner]

Anything fresh we normally have cold bags (the silver lined ones in Aldi etc) and put them in hold luggage as it’s generally cold in there.

As KKOB says you’ll probably lose meats and dairy if pulled in going to UK. I got pulled at Dalaman as the only non-national arriving there on a connecting flight from the UK. My case was around 50% cheese, ham & bacon, and the customs guy moved them all aside to check underneath. Then told me I could go   

[Scunner]

P.s. we actually only bring back spices, Turkish biscuits and Pop Keks really - but it’s been years since we’ve had to open our cases so can’t say if they would have been an issue, I doubt it.

Half a sliced cow probably though   

[Steve A]

Thanks Keith ,I was mainly thinking,pastes,spices,oils which I’ll bung in the case

[Scunner]

Yes same Steve. Turkish red chilli flakes too. I’m sure nobody is interested. Been a while since I’ve seen anyone at Edinburgh customs at all, definitely not in the last two years.