Customs officers at Vienna International Airport have confiscated roughly three tons of fruits, vegetables, cut flowers and live plants since January, according to figures released on Tuesday. The haul—equivalent to the weight of a fully fuelled regional jet—highlights a post-pandemic surge in holidaymakers unaware that the EU’s plant-health rules apply equally to personal luggage. Under EU Regulation 2016/2031, travellers from non-EU countries must present phytosanitary certificates for most plant material. Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig warned that pests such as the citrus long-horn beetle can enter hidden inside souvenirs and devastate domestic crops. The ministry and airport operator have therefore stepped up joint spot-checks, with more than 5,000 luggage inspections already carried out in 2026. Beyond agriculture, the operation matters for mobility programmes: expatriates and assignees often return from home leave with traditional foods or seedlings. Corporate travel managers are advised to update pre-trip briefings and employee handbooks to include the stricter rules, particularly for staff relocating from Asia, Africa or South America. Penalties range from on-the-spot destruction of goods to fines that can exceed the value of a short-haul ticket. The crackdown also overlaps with CITES controls. Some orchids, cacti and timber products require additional import permits. Travellers who cannot show the right paperwork may have their items seized even if the plants appear harmless. Customs officials say the awareness campaign #PlantHealth4Life will continue throughout the summer peak; multi-language flyers are being distributed at arrival gates and through airline newsletters.
Source: VIENNA.at
