Sending Food Abroad?

[Meg888]

Hi. My sister & hubby live in Spain and I was thinking of sending them a hamper for Christmas. I was just going to make it up myself, with things like wine, beer, biscuits & such - nothing perishable. Can anyone advise if I'd actually be able to send something like this (it would be going by courier i.e. TNT) thanks in advance.

[TWR]

For the Proper / correct / legal answer I would check with Customs & the Country concerned Meg.

[hc4361]

I wouldn't bother sending alcohol, it is much cheaper in Spain. Leave the alcohol out and you won't have any problems

[Old_Geezer]

I really think checking all the items more trouble than it is worth.
But your choice.

[hc4361]

Spain is within the EU so you can send any foodstuffs you like.

[jourdain2]

Wouldn't bother with the alchohol, but darling daughter always sends us a parcel of unobtainable Christmas treats (included tiny pudding and cake last year) and crackers (hard to get). Shouldn't have any problem.

[mikey4444]

Sending wine to Spain ? ...sounds like coals to Newcastle to me !

[Meg888]

It's going to be more of a jokey hamper as they are both so hard to buy for - drink wise, it's just going to have like 4 beer bottles with a 'sweary' name, and a wine 'handbag' (my sis loves her bags & her wine, so they're very appropriate presents!) along with a few other things that'll make them smile! Re wine/Spain I think that's why they moved there when they discovered wine can be as little as 1€ a bottle!

[Prudie]

I'd recheck on the restrictions, you certainly can't land with any meat or dairy products (apart from other stuff) so I'm not sure why you'd be able to post them. I don't think i's true that there are no restrictions just because it's EU.

[Buenchico]

In general you can move food items freely between any EU countries, without restriction. (The only times when EU countries can restrict the import of food items from other EU countries are when there are temporary 'emergency' measures in place, such as during the BSE crisis). Further, there can be no taxes or duties levied upon such goods at the point of importation.

However an exception is made with regard to tobacco and alcohol products, where countries can charge duty on imports (other than on items which are for personal use only and when they are also imported in person, not by post). 'Personal use' includes bona fide gifts to others, where nothing is expected in exchange.

So, while you could take your hamper into Spain with you as a traveller (without incurring any duty charges) it's likely to get hit for Customs Duty if you send it by courier.

[hc4361]

Prudie, you can take meat and dairy to Spain by plane or ferry. Done it myself many times.