Dutch border officials confiscate ham sandwiches from UK travellers at Brexit borders

By Neil Lancefield

Published 12th Jan 2021, 12:30 GMT

Border officials in the Netherlands have confiscated ham sandwiches and other food items from UK travellers due to post-Brexit rules.

Dutch TV network NPO filmed customs patrols explaining to arrivals that they cannot take meat or dairy products into the EU.

One driver who arrived by ferry at the Hook of Holland sea port was left bemused after being told he would lose his ham sandwiches.

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A picture shows an electronic billboard warning hauliers of the new documentation required to travel through Kent for access to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel since Britain left the EU single market and customs union. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

placeholder image — A picture shows an electronic billboard warning hauliers of the new documentation required to travel through Kent for access to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel since Britain left the EU single market and customs union. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

The man asked whether he can "take off the meat and you leave me the bread?"

But a border guard responded: "No, everything will be confiscated. Welcome to the Brexit, sir. I'm sorry."

In one scene, a border official asked the driver whether several of his tin-foil wrapped sandwiches had meat in them.

When the driver said they did, the border official said: "Okay, so we take them all."

New arrangements for UK travellers in the EU came into force when the Brexit transition period ended on December 31.

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