Practical tips, shopping & flying
Mallorcan specialities on the plane: taking them home, customs & hand luggage
Ensaïmada boxes under your arm, sobrassada in your suitcase and olive oil in your luggage: so that your culinary souvenir shopping does not come to an end at security, we explain the official flight and customs rules.
Last checked: October 2026
The short answer
Mallorcan specialities on the plane: taking them home, customs & hand luggage
Departing from Palma, the 100 ml rule still applies to hand luggage: liquids, gels and pastes only in containers of up to 100 ml in a transparent 1-litre bag. Olive oil, honey, jam, hierbas, wine, spreadable sobrassada and olives or capers in brine therefore belong in your suitcase. Solid products such as ensaïmada, hard cheese, almonds or flor de sal may go in your hand luggage. Within the EU there are no customs quantity limits for food for personal use; guideline quantities apply to alcohol. Switzerland has its own, considerably tighter allowances.
What may go in hand luggage, what goes in the suitcase?
| Product | Hand luggage | Suitcase | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ensaïmada (in its box) | yes* | yes | solid pastry; *whether the box counts as an additional item is up to the airline |
| Hard cheese in one piece | yes | yes | solid, not spreadable |
| Soft or fresh cheese | only up to 100 g/ml | yes | counts as a paste |
| Sobrassada (spreadable) | only up to 100 g | yes | counts as a paste |
| Botifarró, camaiot, ham (sliceable sausage) | yes | yes | solid sausage product |
| Olive oil | only up to 100 ml | yes | liquid |
| Honey, marmalade, jam | only up to 100 g/ml | yes | gel/paste |
| Hierbas, palo, gin, wine | only up to 100 ml | yes | liquid; observe the guideline quantities for alcohol |
| Olives or capers in brine | only up to 100 ml | yes | brine counts as a liquid |
| Almonds, turrón, gató baking mix | yes | yes | solid |
| Flor de sal, spices | yes | yes | solid |
| Tomates de ramallet, fresh fruit | yes | yes | no restrictions within the EU |
Whether something counts as a “paste” is decided by security on the spot. Anything spreadable is treated like a liquid.
Free movement in the EU: taking meat, sausage & cheese to Germany
As Spain and Germany are both EU member states, there are no quantity limits or customs barriers for processed meat, sausage and cheese products for private personal use. Sobrassada, cheese or packaged delicatessen products can therefore be carried in your suitcase without having to declare them.
The 100 ml rule at Palma airport (as of October 2026)
At Palma airport the 100 ml rule still applies unchanged: a maximum of 100 ml per container, all containers together in a resealable, transparent bag holding a maximum of one litre. Since November 2024 you no longer have to take this bag out of your hand luggage at security in Palma; the quantity limit itself has not changed.
Some German airports have relaxed the limit at security lanes with CT scanners, Munich since 18 September 2026 at all checkpoints for containers of up to two litres. This only applies when departing from there, not on the return flight from Mallorca.
Anything bought after security in Palma may be taken on board – on direct flights without a change, with no further conditions. If you are changing planes, leave liquids from duty-free in the sealed bag with the receipt.
Ensaïmada in hand luggage: what matters with the airline
The octagonal box is bulky. Whether it may be taken on board in addition to your hand luggage or has to fit into your regular bag is decided solely by the airline. In 2023 it was reported that Ryanair charged a fee for ensaïmada boxes in hand luggage; the Balearic government then invited the airline and the confectioners’ association to talks. Because such rules change, it is worth checking your airline’s current hand luggage conditions before your return flight. With tight hand luggage fares, checked baggage – with the box well padded on top – is the safe solution.
Packing properly: vacuum-sealing at the market & break-proof transport in your suitcase
Many butchers and market stalls offer to vacuum-seal sausage and cheese on the spot, which considerably improves shelf life and transport safety. Bottles of oil, wine or liqueur should be stowed in your suitcase with plenty of padding to prevent breakage.
Customs: what applies to Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
Germany
Food for personal use from another EU country is not subject to customs quantity limits. For alcohol, guideline quantities apply per person: 10 litres of spirits (e.g. hierbas, palo, gin), 20 litres of intermediate products, 60 litres of sparkling wine and 110 litres of beer. German customs does not set a fixed quantity for still wine. If you exceed these amounts, you must credibly show that everything is for your own use.
Austria
According to the Austrian Ministry of Finance, the following apply per person when travelling within the EU: 10 litres of spirits, 20 litres of alcoholic beverages up to 22% vol., 90 litres of wine (of which no more than 60 litres sparkling wine) and 110 litres of beer. Meat, sausage and dairy products may be brought in quantities for personal consumption; plant products are not restricted within the EU.
Switzerland
Switzerland is not part of the EU customs union. The following are duty-free per person per day: 1 kg of meat (incl. sausage such as sobrassada), 1 kg of butter or 1 litre of cream, 5 litres of alcoholic beverages up to 18% vol. and 1 litre over 18% vol. – so a bottle of hierbas or palo is usually already the limit. Since 1 January 2025 the value allowance has been 150 francs per person per day (previously 300 francs). Above that, duties are payable.
Sausage and meat: prefer regular retail
Meat and sausage products from regular retail with a label are unproblematic for personal use. Because of African swine fever in parts of Europe, authorities advise against taking uncontrolled goods from private slaughter and against disposing of sausage leftovers in the countryside.
Practical tips
- Put oil, hierbas, wine, honey and sobrassada in your suitcase and wrap bottles in clothing or bubble-wrap bags.
- Have sausage and cheese vacuum-sealed by the seller; many market stalls and butchers offer this.
- Only take the ensaïmada box in your hand luggage if your fare allows an additional item – otherwise pack it padded on top in your suitcase.
- For Switzerland, do the maths before shopping: 1 litre of spirits and goods worth 150 francs per person per day.
- If you only shop at the airport: products bought after security may be taken on board even if they are liquids.
Good to know
Price ranges, opening hours and airline rules change. We only state verifiable features and orders of magnitude – check details directly with the supplier or your airline before buying or flying.
Product knowledge
The specialities on this topic
Baked goods PGI Island-wide
Ensaïmada de Mallorca
Mallorcan lard pastry
Spiral-shaped yeast pastry made with pork lard – plain or filled with pumpkin jam.
- Ingredients
- Wheat flour, water, sugar, eggs, sourdough/yeast, pork lard (saïm)
- Dietary
- contains pork lard
- Price range
- small ensaïmada from a few euros, large family size considerably more
- Where to buy
- Mercat de l'Olivar (Palma), Mercat de Santa Catalina
- Flying
- Many airlines tolerate the octagonal box as an item of hand luggage – check the rule with your airline in advance.
Last checked: August 2026
Sausage & ham PGI Island-wide
Sobrassada de Mallorca
Spreadable paprika sausage
Bright red, soft and spreadable cured sausage made from pork and tap de Cortí paprika.
- Ingredients
- Pork, bacon, tap de Cortí paprika, salt, pepper
- Dietary
- contains pork · gluten-free
- Price range
- standard products cheaper, porc negre considerably more expensive per kilo
- Where to buy
- Mercat de l'Olivar (Palma), Sineu weekly market, Inca weekly market
- Flying
- Free within the EU for personal use – spreadable, so only up to 100 g in hand luggage; vacuum-pack larger pieces for your suitcase.
Last checked: August 2026
Wine & spirits PGI Island-wide
Hierbas de Mallorca
Mallorcan herbal liqueur
Herbal liqueur in the dolces, mesclades and seques styles – the island’s digestif.
- Ingredients
- Anise distillate, island herbs, sugar (depending on style)
- Dietary
- vegan · gluten-free · contains alcohol
- Price range
- standard bottles in the low double-digit range
- Where to buy
- Weekly markets, delicatessens, distillery shops
- Flying
- Liquid over 100 ml: only in your suitcase, or buy it in duty-free after security.
Last checked: August 2026
Price ranges, opening hours and airline rules change. We only state verifiable features and orders of magnitude – check details directly with the supplier or your airline before buying or flying.
| Product | Hand luggage | Suitcase | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ensaïmada de Mallorca | yes | yes | Many airlines tolerate the octagonal box as an item of hand luggage – check the rule with your airline in advance. |
| Sobrassada de Mallorca | only up to 100 g | yes | Free within the EU for personal use – spreadable, so only up to 100 g in hand luggage; vacuum-pack larger pieces for your suitcase. |
| Hierbas de Mallorca | only up to 100 ml | yes | Liquid over 100 ml: only in your suitcase, or buy it in duty-free after security. |
Edible souvenirs from Mallorca: gifts with flavour
The best edible Mallorca souvenirs are above all dry products that travel safely, such as flor de sal, almonds or packaged ensaïmadas, as well as tightly sealed oils and liqueurs for your suitcase.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take olive oil or bottles of hierbas in my hand luggage?
Only up to 100 ml per container in the 1-litre bag. Larger bottles belong in your suitcase or should be bought after security.
Are there customs limits for sausage and cheese within the EU?
No, within the EU there is no quantity limit for personal use. Buy products with a label from regular retail.
How much alcohol can I take for personal use?
For Germany, the guideline quantities are 10 litres of spirits, 20 litres of intermediate products, 60 litres of sparkling wine and 110 litres of beer per person. For Austria and Switzerland, see the sections above.
Do the same rules apply to Switzerland as to the EU?
No. Per person per day: 1 kg of meat, 1 litre of spirits over 18% vol., 5 litres up to 18% vol. and, since 2025, a value allowance of 150 francs.
Does sobrassada count as a liquid in hand luggage?
Spreadable sobrassada is treated as a paste and is only allowed in hand luggage up to 100 g. Put larger pieces vacuum-sealed in your suitcase.
Do I have to take the liquids bag out in Palma?
Not since November 2024. The 100 ml limit still applies, though.
What should I bear in mind when buying liquids?
Buy them for your suitcase straight away or only after security; if you are changing planes, keep the duty-free bag sealed.
Which souvenir is best for sending by post?
Dry, robust products such as flor de sal or almonds – liquids are more complicated to send.
Where can I buy several specialities in one go?
Delicatessens in Palma and larger weekly markets usually offer a wide range for putting together gift hampers.
More topics
-
Ensaïmada
The scent of icing sugar and fresh yeast pastry: the ensaïmada is Mallorca’s edible emblem. We reveal where locals buy it and how to get the box safely through security.
-
Sobrassada
Bright red, spicy, soft and spreadable and steeped in Balearic tradition: sobrassada de Mallorca is a sausage culture with protected origin. Find out how to recognise genuine top quality.
-
Hierbas
A meal in Mallorca traditionally ends with a glass of ice-cold hierbas. The aniseed herbal liqueur with the protected PGI seal captures the aromas of the island.
Related
- Travel information Practical tips for the return journey
- Buying delicatessen in Palma Where to shop for souvenirs
- Plan your arrival & return Allow extra time for shopping
Next steps
Image credits: Sobrassada de Mallorca: Photo Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons