Belgian Customs and Food Safety Agency Warn Against Illegal Souvenirs

Belgian customs and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) are urging travelers returning from countries outside the European Union not to bring back prohibited food or plant items. Items such as meat, milk, certain fruits, vegetables, seeds and live plants can carry diseases like African swine fever or the oriental fruit fly, which could cause serious economic and health damage to Belgium’s agriculture and public health.

During intensified baggage controls in 2025, 894 passengers were stopped and almost 7.5 tonnes of risky products were confiscated, including 4.5 tonnes of animal‑origin goods and 3 tonnes of plant material. The agencies collaborate with the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAGG) and the Health Ministry to enforce the rules and inform the public. Travelers are advised to check the latest EU import regulations before departure to avoid fines and to help protect the country’s food chain.

The warning emphasizes that even small souvenirs can pose large risks, and that exemptions for certain products require official phytosanitary certificates or are subject to strict quantity limits.