Living abroad means giving up the pleasure of enjoying chorizo, salchichón, or lomo whenever you want, but surely when you return home and taste it again, you've asked yourself the following question: Can you bring Spanish cold cuts in your carry-on luggage? It depends.

At Enrique Tomás, we know that finding ham or cold cuts in any other country is neither easy nor cheap, and having some made in Spain food always comes in handy. So, we're going to explain when it is allowed to travel with these foods and when it is not.

How to Carry Cold Cuts in Carry-On Luggage Within the EU

Iberian and Serrano ham, as well as other meat products, can be transported in carry-on luggage within the borders of the European Union, as well as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Iceland. So, you'll be able to carry some Iberian or cold cuts in your backpack as long as you travel within the 27 member countries.

The Regulation (EC) 206/2009 governs the rules related to the introduction of animal origin products into carry-on luggage within the European territory. According to it, the entry of such foods from outside the Union's borders is prohibited for a very simple reason: to prevent the spread of possible diseases that could be present in the meat. Besides that, carrying food in carry-on luggage is allowed.

At Enrique Tomás, we have a variety of attractive sliced packages designed for such situations. In addition, we offer tasting boxes from different regions where you can try the various cold cuts and hams from different areas.

We also have the ''No te cortes'' (Don't Hold Back) packs, presented in the most original way, in a small suitcase-shaped box. These packages come in 1.8 or 3 kilograms and contain vacuum-sealed sliced ham and shoulder.

Keep in mind that the allowed weight for carry-on luggage is around ten kilograms, though it may vary depending on the airline. The less space your cold cuts occupy, the more room you'll have for your clothes and personal items, so with our vacuum-sealed products...

You'll be able to make the most of your suitcase space!

Can You Carry Cold Cuts in Carry-On Luggage Outside the EU?

The answer to this question is much more complex than the previous one because there is no single regulation; it depends on the country you are traveling to. The first thing you need to do is find out if your destination country allows the entry of meat products into its borders, and for that, you need to check its legislation.

For example, regarding the United States, it's important to note that they have very strict laws, and their security controls are so strong that they may even inspect your luggage even if it's not on their list of prohibitions. In this country, the entry of chorizo, salchichón, or any other meat product is not allowed, but you can carry chocolate, canned fish, and even cheese, as long as it doesn't exceed five kilograms.

Enrique Tomás store at Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Regarding Muslim countries, it's important to note that in these states, eating any pork product is not allowed, so the entry of ham or cold cuts is prohibited within their borders.

In Latin America, some countries specifically regulate the entry of Iberian ham and pork products, such as Argentina, Mexico, or Brazil, where you can bring these products. In Asian countries, like China, you can also travel with them.

In summary, can you carry cold cuts in carry-on luggage? Within the European Union, yes, as long as it doesn't exceed the allowed weight per suitcase and is properly packaged. Outside of the European Union, it depends on the country; you will need to check the regulations of your destination.

If, for any reason, it's not allowed, don't worry; at Enrique Tomás, we have stores in different countries worldwide, such as France, Andorra, Peru, or Mexico.

In these countries, you'll find your favorite ham. However, if you're not in any of these places, there's another solution: our sliced packs. These vacuum-sealed packs can last up to 90 days without being opened, so any of your loved ones can send them to you wherever you are, and since deliveries are usually faster, your ham will arrive in perfect condition.

You'll be able to enjoy ham no matter what!