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Can you take churchkhela, spices and cheese from Georgia to the EU?

Cheese, spices and sweets in hand and checked luggage.

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Short answer

Cheese in personal luggage from Georgia cannot be brought into the EU, as dairy is allowed only from the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Plant products such as spices are exempt from border controls. Churchkhela is not named separately in the regulation. In doubtful cases, ask customs in the country you are entering.

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Why

  1. The EU rule for personal luggage is Article 7 of Delegated Regulation 2019/2122.
  2. Dairy products (codes 0401–0406) are listed in Annex I, Part 2, and are excluded from the general 2 kg exemption.
  3. Annex III says personal consignments of meat and milk products may be brought in only from the Faroe Islands or Greenland, up to 10 kg.
  4. Plants and plant products, other than plants for planting, are exempt from official controls at border control posts under Article 7.

Details

The exemption from controls at a border control post is set in Article 7 of the regulation, so it does not cancel other rules: national rules of the EU country, bans on certain plants and customs requirements. Churchkhela is not mentioned in the regulation, so the ingredients decide: if it has no milk or meat ingredients it is a plant product, and if in doubt ask customs in the country you enter. Non-EU countries such as Norway and Switzerland are named separately in Article 7 and are not part of the EU.

For gift ideas read What to bring from Georgia, and for where to buy the sweet see Where to buy churchkhela. Check Georgia's own rules on taking food out of the country separately.

Tip

Before you travel, check the rules with customs of the EU country you are flying to, and do not count on bringing cheese: dairy from Georgia is not accepted in personal luggage.

What may differ

The regulation can change, and each EU country may add its own requirements. Norway, Switzerland and other non-EU countries have their own rules.

Common misconception

A little cheese in hand luggage is fine, it is for personal use.

What actually happens

The 2 kg exemption for personal luggage in Article 7 does not cover dairy products, which are accepted only from the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

People also ask

  • Can I bring Georgian cheese into the EU?

Sources

This answer is for reference only and does not replace advice from customs. EU and national rules change, so check official websites.

  • Where can you buy spices in Tbilisi?

    Spices in Tbilisi are easy to buy at Dezerter Bazaar, which sells Georgian spices, bay leaves and tkemali sauce, and vendors often invite you to taste before buying.

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  • What shops, chains and brands are there in Georgia?

    Batumi's popular shopping destinations include Batumi Mall, Batumi Plaza, Metro City and Batumi Central, with clothing, cosmetics and jewellery stores and boutiques of Georgian and international designers.

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  • Is there McDonald's in Georgia, and what fast food is there?

    McDonald's operates in Georgia and has an official Georgian website, so check addresses and opening hours with the chain itself.

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  • Which Georgian souvenirs should you bring home?

    Visitors usually bring home churchkhela, spices, dried fruit, wine, kantsi drinking horns, clay tableware, carpets, traditional hats, minankari enamel jewelry and fridge magnets.

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