Meat & poultry
ProhibitedFresh, frozen and cured meats are widely prohibited.
Rules for meat and poultry vary by destination and origin, and the official customs or biosecurity authority at the border makes the final decision.
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What this means
Meat and poultry covers fresh, frozen, dried, cured, or cooked products from animals and birds, including beef, pork, chicken, sausages, ham, and meals prepared with meat. Because animal diseases can travel in meat, most countries heavily restrict or prohibit travelers from carrying it across borders. Many destinations require all meat and poultry to be declared on arrival.
What's included
- Fresh or frozen beef, pork, lamb, and game
- Poultry meat such as chicken, turkey, and duck
- Cured meats (ham, prosciutto, salami, jerky)
- Sausages and processed meat products
- Canned or dried meat products
- Meals, sandwiches, or soups prepared with meat
What's not included
- Fresh fish and shellfish (seafood-fresh)
- Eggs and egg products (eggs)
- Dairy products such as milk and cheese (dairy, hard-cheese)
- Commercial pet food containing meat (pet-food)
- Animal feed (animal-feed)
Common types & examples
Fresh or frozen meat
Almost always prohibited for travelers because of disease risk.
Cured meats
Hams and salami from some regions are banned even when commercially packaged.
Poultry products
Often blocked from countries affected by avian influenza or other poultry diseases.
Cooked, shelf-stable items
Some commercially sealed, fully cooked items may be allowed from certain countries with proof of origin.
Prepared meals with meat
Sandwiches and ready meals count as meat products and are commonly seized.
Why it's regulated
Meat and poultry are regulated because they can carry serious animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, and avian influenza that could devastate a destination's livestock industry.
Typical allowance
A narrow range of commercially packaged, fully cooked, shelf-stable meat items may be allowed from some countries (for example, the U.S. caps personal items at 50 pounds and bans many cured hams from certain regions), but most fresh, frozen, and cured meat is prohibited; rules vary sharply by destination and origin country.
Provisional — confirm with your destination
Before you travel
Documents you may need
- Customs/biosecurity declaration form
- Receipt and original commercial packaging showing country of origin
- Proof the product is cooked and shelf-stable (where allowed)
- Veterinary or health certificate (only if required by the destination)
Next steps
- 1.Assume meat and poultry are prohibited unless your destination clearly allows them
- 2.Declare all meat and poultry products on your customs/biosecurity form
- 3.Keep commercial packaging and receipts showing country of origin
- 4.Dispose of meat products before the border if you are unsure
- 5.Use the red channel or speak to an officer when carrying any meat
Official sources
- International Traveler: Meats, Poultry, and Seafood· USDA APHIS
- Prohibited and Restricted Items· U.S. CBP
- Taking animal products, food or plants with you in the EU· European Commission
- Bringing or mailing goods to Australia· Australia DAFF
Always verify with the official authority for your destination.
Country-specific rules
The default posture above applies worldwide. For the exact rules at your destination, check the country guide.
View country rules →