Customs stops travelers at the airport: 29 kilos of banned food discovered!

Customs stops travelers at the airport: 29 kilos of banned food discovered!

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a customs check at Saarbrücken Airport caused a stir. Two travelers from Turkey, a 50-year-old and his companion, were stopped at the green exit for non-declarable goods and then checked. What came to light was anything but ordinary: in four pieces of luggage, customs officers found an impressive 29 kilos of prohibited food, including fresh vegetables, fruit and cheese. This amount would certainly have pleased many dear guests, but just not in this context.

Karin Schmidt, press spokeswoman for the Saarbrücken main customs office, made the urgency of the situation clear. “We need to minimize the risk of pests and pathogens,” she explained. The bans on bringing such food from third countries are not without reason; they serve to protect the health and lifestyle of citizens in the European Union. Customs urgently points out that the decision to import such goods rests solely with the responsible authority for food and animal health law.

Protection and control

The topic is relevant for all travelers: There are many import and export restrictions in force within the EU that are intended to protect both the health of the population and the environment. A group of experts led by the European Commission is working intensively on increasing security standards and the effective implementation of legal requirements by customs authorities. Taxation Customs explains that the aim is to inform all customs experts about current developments and exchange best practices. This means the entire process surrounding customs controls remains well coordinated and effective.

The EU has very specific regulations regarding banned foods to ensure the integrity of the internal market.

Important information for travelers

If you would like to find out more about import restrictions into the EU, we recommend the General Directorate Taxation and Customs Union. Here you will not only find information about import and export restrictions, but also binding customs information. To make things easier for people, the EU also offers a “Market Access Database” which provides a wealth of information once the relevant HS code is entered. It is free to use and does not require registration.

The discovery at Saarbrücken Airport is a clear indication that customs authorities must remain vigilant and that the strict regulations remain the focus. Travelers are well advised to find out about the applicable regulations before packing their bags. This way, unpleasant surprises such as the loss of 29 kilos of food can be avoided in the future.