France customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

When travelling within EU

If entering from within the EU, passengers may bring with them duty-free goods for personal use within the limits set out below. The goods must be for personal use or as a gift and they must have had duty and tax paid in the EU country where they were acquired. Customs officials may require proof of intent if more than all the following is imported.

Tobacco limit

• Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigarillos (maximum 3g each);
• 50 cigars;
• 250g smoking tobacco;
• You can roll purchases together. For example, if you bring back cigars you can also bring 250g of smoking tobacco.

Alcoholic

• Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
• 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
• 20 litres of alcoholic beverages, other than either wine or beer, less than 22% volume;
• 90 litres of wine (with a maximum 60 litres of sparkling wine);
• 110 litres of beer.

When travelling from outside the EU

If entering the EU from outside, passengers may bring with them duty-free goods for personal use within the limits set out below. The same applies if coming from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other territories where EU rules on VAT do not apply.

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigarillos;
• 50 cigars;
• 250g of smoking tobacco;
• or a proportional combination of these goods (such as 100 cigarettes and 50 cigarillos).

Bringing alcohol

Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:

• 1 litre exceeding 22% alcohol volume;
• or 2 litres up to 22% alcohol volume.

In addition, both of the following:

• 4 litres of still wine;
• and 16 litres of beer.

Cash limit

• There are no restrictions on the importation of currency into the EU.
• Funds of more than €10,000 must be declared to the customs authorities.

Other goods

• Medication for personal use.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €430 when travelling by air or sea.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €300 when travelling by land.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €200 for travellers under 15 years of age.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Narcotic and psychotropic drugs (except when accompanied by a prescription, medical certificate or an import and export authorisation).
• Counterfeit goods.
• The following breeds of dogs are prohibited: Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Mastiffs/Boerboels, Tosas, and Molossers.
• Endangered species and their derivative products protected under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• Pornographic products or objects which include the representation of minors.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Plants and plant products require a Common Health Entry Document for Plant Protection. For further information, please visit the Ministry for Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry.
• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits.
• Live animals (including pets) and animal based products are subject to a mandatory health inspection at the first point of entry on EU territory. They must also have a microchip or tattoo, and have been properly vaccinated against rabies. A Common Veterinary Entry Document certifying the healthy inspection must be provided with the customs declaration. Pets travelling within the EU must have a valid pet passport. For further information, please visit the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Office (SIVEP).
• Cultural goods leaving France must travel with a certificate, and cultural goods leaving the EU must leave with a certificate and an export authorisation. For further information, please visit the Ministry for Culture and Communication.
• Weapons and ammunition, depending on their category, are subject to prior transfer agreement, import authorisation, transfer permit, or export authorisation.
• Meat, milk and other dairy products for personal consumption are allowed from EU countries, Andorra, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland.
• Meat, fish, dairy, and animal origin products are not allowed from non EU countries except Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.
• Plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables are allowed in small quantities from EU countries and in some cases non EU countries.