Sachin Walls
When travelling to Portugal, it's important to be aware of the restrictions on what you can bring into the country, especially when it comes to food items. While some travellers moving to Portugal have reported minimal customs checks, others have faced conflicting information from airlines and customs officials. To avoid any issues, it's best to be informed about the regulations. Here's an overview of the key points to consider when bringing food through airport security in Portugal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food restrictions | No meat or milk products from non-EU countries |
| Exceptions | Limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and small amounts from other countries |
| Baby food | Allowed, under 10 kg of powdered baby milk, must not require refrigeration |
| Pet food | Allowed for medical reasons, under 10 kg, must not require refrigeration |
| Fruits and vegetables | Allowed in limited quantities |
| Eggs, honey, fish | Allowed in restricted quantities |
| Alcohol | No limit when travelling within the EU, but over 10 litres of spirits may be questioned |
| Tobacco | No limit when travelling within the EU, but over 800 cigarettes may be questioned |
| Customs fees | Customs broker fees are generally required and are based ad valorem; port handling and warehouse fees may be included |
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What You'll Learn
Meat and milk are prohibited
Travellers entering Portugal from outside the EU are permitted to bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs, egg products, and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed. It is important to declare any meat or dairy products upon arrival in the EU, otherwise, they will be confiscated and destroyed, and the traveller may face fines or criminal prosecution.
Powdered baby milk, baby food, foods required for medical reasons, and special pet feed are allowed in limited quantities (less than 10 kg) as long as they do not require refrigeration before use. These products must also have their original, unbroken seal unless they are in use. The quantity must not exceed 10 kg if originating from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland, and 2 kg if from other countries.
Coats, fur, and leather shoes made from protected animal species require special authorization to be brought into Portugal. Hunting and civilian guns are allowed but must have a property title and be mentioned on the Consulate certificate. Firearms, cut and thrust weapons, and any instrument without a specific application are prohibited.
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Limits on alcohol and tobacco
The amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Portugal depends on where you are travelling from. If you are travelling from a country within the European Union, there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Portugal. However, customs officials may ask questions if you have more than the following quantities:
- Tobacco products: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (max. 3g each), 200 cigars, or 1kg of loose tobacco.
- Alcoholic beverages: 10 litres of spirits over 22%, 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90 litres of wine (including a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine), or 110 litres of beer.
If you are travelling from a non-EU country, the following limits apply for alcohol and tobacco products:
- Cigarettes: 200 units
- Cigarrillos (small cigars with a maximum weight of 3g/unit): 100 units
- Cigars: 50 units
- Smoking tobacco: 250 grams
- Distilled drinks and spirits with strength over 22% vol.: a total of 1 litre
- Spirits and alcoholic beverages, aperitifs with a wine or alcohol base, tafia, sake or similar beverages with an alcoholic strength of up to 22% vol., sparkling or fortified wines, liqueurs: a total of 2 litres
- Still wines: a total of 2 litres
It is important to note that these exemptions are for private individuals travelling between EU countries, as long as the products are for personal use and not for resale. Customs authorities may consider factors such as the nature of the goods, packaging, and transportation to determine if the products are for personal use.
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Customs broker fees
Passengers travelling with goods must declare these items if they exceed certain limits permitted by law. For example, if transporting cash or monetary assets of 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent in a different currency), this must be declared. For travellers entering Portugal from countries where European regulations do not apply, personal effects can be transported free of VAT up to a limit of 430 euros. Passengers may also carry some goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, without paying additional taxes, as long as they are within the permitted limits.
It is important to note that there are restrictions on the types of food that can be brought into Portugal, an EU country. Meat, milk, or products containing them are not allowed to be brought into the country. However, there are exceptions for medical reasons, such as powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food, as long as they do not require refrigeration and have an original, unbroken seal. The quantity of these items is also restricted, with a limit of 10 kg for goods originating from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland, and a limit of 2 kg for goods from other countries.
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Duty-free items
If you are travelling within the EU, there is no limit to the number of products you can buy in duty-free stores in Portugal, as long as they are for your own consumption. This does not apply to items bought with commercial intentions, in which case there is a limit on the number of things you can buy. If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you can bring products worth up to €430 if you are an air or sea traveller, and up to €300 for other travellers (up to €150 for children under 15).
Duty-free stores in Portugal can be found in international airports, ferry stations, cruise stations, and shops on the borders. In these stores, you can find a variety of items, including perfumes, cigarettes, and chocolates. It is important to note that these stores are not completely duty-free, and you may still need to pay some taxes on the items you purchase.
Duty-free products are exempt from VAT and excise duties, which are special government taxes applied to tobacco and alcoholic beverages. In Portugal, the VAT rate can vary between 5% and 25%.
When bringing duty-free items into Portugal, there are some restrictions on food items. You cannot bring meat, milk, or products containing them into EU countries, with some exceptions for medical reasons. For example, powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food for medical reasons may be allowed in limited quantities if they do not require refrigeration and have an original, unbroken seal.
Used household goods are considered duty-free if they have been in the owner's possession for at least 6 months and are not for sale. Customs broker fees may apply and can include port handling charges and warehouse fees.
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Food for medical reasons
If you are travelling to Portugal from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring meat or dairy products with you. However, there are exceptions for food required for medical reasons.
Powdered baby milk, baby food, and pet food are allowed for medical reasons, as long as they do not require refrigeration and have an original, unbroken seal (unless in use). The quantity must not exceed 10 kg if originating from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland, and 2 kg if originating from other countries.
You can also bring a limited amount of fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs, egg products, and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed. It is important to declare any food items that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
For detailed information, it is recommended to contact the relevant customs authorities or refer to the official website of the European Commission for the latest regulations regarding bringing food and drink into the EU.
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Frequently asked questions
Portugal is part of the EU, which does not allow meat or dairy products to be brought in from non-EU countries. However, you can bring limited quantities of fruit and vegetables, eggs, egg products, and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed.
Yes, there are some exceptions for medical reasons. For example, you can bring certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. The quantity must not exceed 10 kg originating from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland, and 2 kg from other countries.
There are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco one can bring into Portugal from other EU countries. However, customs officials may ask questions if you have more than the following:
- 800 cigarettes
- 400 cigarillos (max. 3g each)
- 200 cigars
- 1kg smoking tobacco
- 10 litres of spirits over 22%
- 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%
- 90 litres of wine (though no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine)
- 110 litres of beer.
