High fines for tourists. It is prohibited to have this fruit in your luggage

Bringing avocados to the Canary Islands is strictly prohibited. Despite this, popular fruits are increasingly confiscated by customs officers. According to data provided by the website nakanarach.pl, in 2025, 154 inspections were carried out at the airports of the Spanish archipelago, which enabled the seizure of 805 kilograms of avocados, which means a threefold increase compared to 2024. “Penalties for illegal import of avocados range from EUR 500 to EUR 3,000 (approx. PLN 2,125 – PLN 12,750),” we read.

Do not bring avocados to the Canary Islands

Although the Canary Islands are part of the European Union, the rules in this West African archipelago are slightly different than in continental Europe. In terms of phytosanitary issues, the “Canary Islands”, popular among tourists, are treated as zone three – additional restrictions apply to the import of certain products. This applies to plant products, including: avocado, the consumption of which has been growing dynamically in recent years. “In 2024, airport services carried out 57 inspections at the airports of the archipelago, which resulted in the seizure of 255 kg of avocados. In 2025, this number tripled and increased to 154 inspections and 805 kilograms,” writes nakanarach.pl. Moreover, in reality these numbers may be much higher, because the luggage of tourists arriving from other EU countries is not subject to border controls.

Penalties for tourists

Of course, only attempts to transport larger amounts of product are treated as smuggling. When tourists only carry a few items in their suitcase, customs services are unlikely to perceive it as a crime. However, travelers should be aware of the risk of financial penalties ranging from EUR 500 to even EUR 3,000. “In cases of confiscation – in accordance with the applicable procedure – the avocados are taken from the passenger and then destroyed by freezing in special containers provided by the sanitary services,” we read.