Hi, I've tried to find similar recent threads already covering this topic but am struggling so would appreciate some advice (searched for 'customs', 'customs groceries').

I'm shortly going to be driving from the UK to Switzerland for a self-catering holiday- are we allowed to bring in food for personal consumption during our stay (e.g. vegetables, fruit, tea, coffee, oil, spices etc...) plus cleaning materials for the apartment?

Thanks!

Yes, up to CHF 300 net per person. NB: only 1kg of meat allowed per person.

You might want to check the countries that you’ll be driving through on the way.

https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home...severkehr.html

They'll be going via the EU so they won't be allowed to bring in meat or dairy products.

To the OP: They do sell vegetables in Switzerland but it's a good idea to bring your own spices to save you spending half the holiday trying to find what you need.

We'll be driving through France- guess we better not pack any cheese sandwiches for the journey (I was genuinely going to do this and hadn't realised it was illegal until now)!

I know fruit and vegetables are available in Switzerland but was just planning to bring a few supplies for the first few days while we settle in, seeing as we're driving and have no limits on luggage. Also want to minimise shopping trips due to Covid.

Where are you staying in Switzerland?
Some places only have poorly stocked Volgs or worse.
Could be worth stopping on route in CH at a big supermarket to ‘big shop’.

I flew to Zurich from Birmingham with two ham and cheese sandwiches in my back pack. I was called for a random check at Zurich airport customs. They saw the two sandwiches but did not say anything and two min later I was sent on my merry way out Maybe CH rules are different to F.

I think it would be an issue if you bring cheese in Bulk quantities.

Yes definitely- we're going to a place where the Coop closes at 6pm on Sundays and the Migros is closed- so will try to pick up some provisions for the first dinner in one of the bigger places on the way earlier on.

I could be wrong but thought that meat could potentially be brought in if purchased in the EU on the way? There was an underlying presumption in my original post that perhaps not all provisions would be brought from the UK but perhaps fresh produce might be purchased on the way before crossing the border.

It's fine buying it in the EU - as long as the quota is observed but it's taking it from the U.K. into any EU country which is a problem.

Why not do your shopping in France, close to the border?

Indeed the issue is the Schengen border. As others mentioned, meat and milk product don't pass. But there are interesting things like 2kg max of pet food.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...l/index_en.htm

They are. OP cannot bring Meat and Dairy from UK to FR; But they could to CH if they flew subject to amounts.

The OP can bring EU Meat and Dairy from FR to CH, subject to amounts.

No. They can't. https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home...severkehr.html

Viewable here. https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...d-tobacco.html

@OP. Bring some stuff for the UK for the journey. No meat, no cheese. Stop off at a French supermarket, get some more, including meat, dairy, subject to the limits. Then go to your Swiss holiday home and enjoy the stay.

That’s an “all Switzerland” thing. There won’t be any big supermarkets en route open on a Sunday. Apart from at airports/railway stations/some resort towns they are all closed.

Yes just checked the places I had in mind en route and all closed! Will have to stop off in France after the Eurotunnel.

There are gas stations here in Switzerland that sell groceries (including meats, pastas, salads, etc.) that are open on Sundays. e.g. Migrolino.

Pretty spartan selection though

Seems like you want to do everything by the book.
Travel and buy on the way - afterall what's the point in travelling? Check opening times not only for shops, but for takeaway cafes. These may come useful.

All they will interested in at the Swiss border is selling you the obligatory Autobahn Vignette for the car - CHF40…