Packaged non-perishables are usually fine — fresh produce, meat and dairy face biosecurity and customs barriers.
Food shipping rules are determined by the destination country's import regulations, not just the courier's policies. Within the EU, most food moves freely without special documentation (intra-EU single market). For non-EU destinations (UK, USA, Brazil, Australia, etc.), biosecurity rules apply: fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, seeds and some processed foods require phytosanitary certificates, import permits, or are outright prohibited. Portugal is a major exporter of food products (olive oil, wine, tinned fish, pastries) and these can generally be shipped internationally if commercially packaged, correctly declared on customs forms, and compliant with destination rules. Couriers do not refrigerate — perishables that require cold chain must use specialist temperature-controlled logistics.
| Carrier | Rule / Status |
|---|---|
| DHL Express | Packaged non-perishable food: accepted internationally with correct customs declaration. Fresh/perishable food: accepted only if sender accepts liability and uses appropriate insulated packaging. No refrigeration provided. |
| FedEx | Non-perishable food: accepted. Perishables: accepted at shipper's risk, no cold chain. Some food categories prohibited to specific destinations — check FedEx prohibited items list by country. |
| UPS | Commercially packaged non-perishable food: accepted. Perishables: UPS Temperature True service available for some lanes. Fresh meat, fish and dairy: restricted on most standard services. |
| DPD | Packaged food: accepted within EU with standard declaration. Fresh perishables: not recommended — DPD does not offer temperature-controlled services. Check destination country rules for non-EU. |
| GLS | Non-perishable packaged food: accepted. Perishables or temperature-sensitive: not accepted — no cold chain. Alcohol and food containing alcohol: route-dependent restrictions. |
Rules change frequently. Always verify at carrier websites before booking.
Check the destination country's food import rules before booking. TRACES (EU) and USDA (USA) have public databases of permitted and prohibited food imports. For personal/gift quantities, rules are often more lenient than commercial imports.
Ensure all food is commercially packaged, sealed, and labelled with ingredients, origin and expiry date. Open or home-made food is rejected by customs in most countries.
Complete the customs declaration (CN23 or commercial invoice) accurately. Describe the specific food contents — not just 'food' but 'tinned sardines in olive oil, Portugal origin, 125g × 4 tins'.
For Portuguese specialties (pastéis de nata, bacalhau, presunto), check destination rules. Bacalhau (salt cod) — a dried, preserved product — is generally accepted. Fresh or frozen fish is not.
Pack food to prevent leakage: seal olive oil and liquid products in zip-lock bags, wrap jars in bubble wrap, and place absorbent material in the box.
For gift food hampers to the UK, USA or other non-EU destinations, keep the total declared value under the destination's de minimis import threshold to avoid customs duties (UK: £135, USA: $800).
Canned, tinned and vacuum-packed Portuguese food (tinned fish, olive oil, wine) can typically be shipped internationally with no special permits — just correct customs declaration.
The USA prohibits most fresh fruits and vegetables, all fresh meat and dairy from Portugal. Stick to processed, packaged and canned products for US-bound food shipments.
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world — many food items are prohibited or require permits. Check the Australian Border Force Prohibited Items list before shipping.
Alcohol (wine, spirits) is a food product with additional restrictions: import duties, age verification requirements in some states/countries, and carrier restrictions on alcohol shipments.
For commercial food export, you will need EUR.1 or other preferential origin certificates to benefit from EU trade agreement duty rates. Check with a customs broker for commercial volumes.
Yes, for most non-EU destinations, you can ship commercially packaged Portuguese pastries (pastelaria) and food gifts that are shelf-stable, sealed, and clearly labelled. Avoid including fresh cream products or anything requiring refrigeration. Declare exactly what is inside on the customs form — 'pastries, baked goods, Portugal origin' with their value.
Yes. Commercially bottled olive oil is accepted by all major couriers to virtually all destinations. Seal the bottle caps with tape, place in a sealed polythene bag, and cushion well in the box. Declare as 'olive oil, food product, Portugal origin' on the customs form with the correct value.
Yes, but wine (as alcohol) is subject to carrier restrictions and destination country import rules. Most couriers accept wine on road/ground services. Some US states prohibit direct-to-consumer wine imports. Declare the alcohol content and value correctly. Use a specialist wine shipping service for multiple bottles as they provide appropriate packaging.
The USA prohibits most fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, poultry, eggs, and unpasteurised dairy from Portugal. Commercially processed, canned or shelf-stable foods are generally permitted if correctly declared. Always check the USDA APHIS and CBP food import rules for the specific product before shipping.
Phytosanitary certificates are required for fresh plants, plant products, and some seeds when shipping to non-EU countries. For commercially packaged processed food, a phytosanitary certificate is generally not required. For fresh produce, the certificate must be issued by DGAV (Portugal's food and veterinary authority).
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