Ukrainians traveling to the EU should check the rules for transporting food, medicines, and other items in their luggage. Restrictions depend on the country of entry, type of goods, and travel method. Visit Ukraine writes about this, but the specific norms provided by the portal require clarification according to official rules.
Food and medicines at the EU border: rules in 2026
When entering the EU from Ukraine, it is generally prohibited to import meat, milk, and products made from them. This includes, in particular, lard, sausages, cheese, and dairy products, even if they are intended for personal consumption.
Certain categories have exceptions and quantity limits:
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Fish and fish products: up to 20 kg per person or one fish if it weighs more. Fresh fish must be gutted.
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Infant and special medical food: up to 2 kg under specific conditions, including regarding packaging and storage without refrigeration until opened.
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Honey and some other animal products: up to 2 kg.
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Plants, most fresh fruits and vegetables: usually a phytosanitary certificate is required. Exceptions include bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples, and durians.
There is no single rule prohibiting all medicines exceeding 500 ml for entry into the EU. The transport conditions for medicines are set by the destination country. They should also be distinguished from aviation restrictions on liquids in hand luggage.
For example, Poland allows the import of up to five smallest packages of medicine for personal use without separate approval from the relevant regulator. For medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, special documents are required; a regular prescription may not be sufficient.
Before traveling, it is advisable to check the active ingredient of the medicine and the requirements of that specific country where the person is heading. This is especially important for those planning a long stay or looking for work abroad and taking a stock of medicines.
Alcohol, tobacco, and purchases: what limits apply when entering the EU
For non-commercial import from outside the EU, the following duty-free alcohol limits apply:
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4 liters of non-sparkling wine;
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16 liters of beer;
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an additional 1 liter of beverages with an alcohol content over 22% or 2 liters of beverages with an alcohol content up to 22%, including sparkling or fortified wine. This additional limit can be combined proportionally.
For alcohol and tobacco, the EU duty-free limits apply from the age of 17, not 21, as noted in the provided material.
When entering Poland by land, it is allowed to import 40 cigarettes without paying the relevant taxes. There is no requirement to open two packs. Alternative tobacco limits and e-cigarette liquid rules must be checked separately.
For other non-commercial goods in luggage, the overall value threshold is:
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300 euros for land entry;
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430 euros when traveling by air or sea;
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for children under 15 years, some countries may apply a lower threshold of 150 euros.
These thresholds are for exemptions from duties, not the maximum allowed value of the entire suitcase. Personal items that are temporarily imported and then exported back are considered separately. There is also no universal ban on transporting more than one household appliance.
Separate permits may be required for weapons, cultural values, and items from animal or plant species protected by international regulations. Before departure, it is important to check the requirements on both sides of the border and distinguish applicable norms from proposals, such as the discussed increase in financial requirements for foreigners in Poland.