Raw meat (uncooked)

Can I take Raw meat (uncooked) across a border? Yes in many places, with conditions. Of the (no rules indexed) country-rules we've indexed for Raw meat (uncooked), 0 are allowed (often with limits), 0 are restricted (permit, declaration, or quantity cap), and 0 are prohibited outright. Customs rules depend on the destination, the purpose (travelling, posting, importing personally, or importing commercially), and the quantity.

Uncooked beef / pork / lamb / poultry. Most destinations require origin-slaughterhouse approval and prohibit personal-import of raw meat for biosecurity. Personal-baggage carriage of raw meat is effectively prohibited into Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the EU/UK, the US, and Canada under biosecurity (HPAI, FMD, ASF, BSE) restrictions. Vacuum-packed and 'shelf-stable' processed meat products are sometimes permitted by declaration and inspection. Postal carriage of any raw meat is universally prohibited under the UPU dangerous-goods schedule. Commercial meat imports require an export health certificate from an approved slaughterhouse and a destination-country plant approval; the consignment is held for veterinary inspection on arrival. Importation classifies under HS Chapter 2 (02.01-02.08).

Common mistakes with Raw meat (uncooked)

• Assuming the rules at the origin apply at the destination — they don't. The destination customs authority is the binding rule.
• Travelling and posting are treated differently: an item you can carry may be prohibited by post (and vice versa).
• Personal vs commercial intent: above a quantity threshold, customs may treat your shipment as commercial regardless of intent.
• Undervaluing on the customs declaration to avoid duty — treated as fraud in most jurisdictions.
• Vague item descriptions on CN22/CN23 — biggest single cause of postal customs holds.
• Bringing meat or dairy from outside an approved zone — usually blocked on biosecurity grounds regardless of quantity.
• Missing required certificates (phytosanitary, veterinary, CITES, prescription, product compliance).

Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting. Not legal advice.

General notes