! Spanish News Today – Not Without My Sausage: The Toughest And Most Lenient Airports For Carrying Spanish Meat

Australia recently deported a Spanish man for carrying ham and cheese in his suitcase

We’ve all seen the airport security shows on TV where passengers are put on the first flight back home for trying to sneak through dangerous items like blades and other weapons in their luggage. But last week, a 20-year-old Spanish man became the first person to have his visa denied by strict Australian authorities for failing to declare meat and cheese in his bags.

The young passenger was detained at Perth Airport after border guards discovered that he was not carrying a gun or explosives in his suitcase, but 275 grams of bacon, 665 grams of ham and about 300 grams of cheese. His visa was immediately revoked and he was fined 3,300 Australian dollars – around 2,100 euros – and faces a three-year ban from the country.

Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world, and since January 1, the government has made the violations even worse for travelers trying to enter the country with prohibited food products, in an attempt to keep Australia’s agricultural industry clean from mouth to mouth. diseases and other threats.

A passenger arriving at Perth International Airport from Malaysia earlier this week received a $3,300 infringement notice and had his visa revoked by @AusBorderForce For not declaring pork products. 🧳🛃

Read more here: https://t.co/Jz5vSw0ArI

#Biological security #travel pic.twitter.com/RIAVlWo9pY

— Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (@DAFFgov) January 16, 2023

The strictest border control

Australia is probably leading now with its January 1st law, but the US is definitely vying for that role. Even permitted products can cause trouble for travelers if they carry large quantities and each item must be declared before landing in the country. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to $10,000.

Many common food items are permitted once they are for “personal use,” including spices and oils, cheese, butter, and yogurt, and canned and vacuum-packed products that do not contain meat.

The least restrictive

Sausages and other pork products are usually restricted by border forces in most countries, but you can pack your suitcase full of Spanish jamón if you’re visiting Brazil, Argentina, Mexico or China. However, there is one caveat: the meat must be vacuum packed and cut into cubes or slices; Whole pigs are prohibited.

What about travel within the EU?

Ham, chorizo ​​and other meat products can be brought freely between Spain and other EU countries, either in hand luggage or in check-in bags. The countries themselves don’t really care how much food is brought in, but many airlines will have weight and volume restrictions, so check before you fly.

Switzerland, a European country outside the European Union, allows the entry of up to half a kilo of meat per person per day, including pork. Of course, travelers must declare this and pay the appropriate import taxes. Norway, San Marino and the Faroe Islands also allow small amounts of meat products.

On the other hand, travelers arriving in Spain from a non-EU country are expressly prohibited from bringing meat or dairy products.

Photo: @DAFFgov