Customs

Printer-friendly version

WARNING !
For personal items not requiring customs procedures (camcorders, bikes, etc. ), we recommend that you keep documentary evidence of the origin of the item with you, to avoid any inconvenience on your return.
You may be handed certification authorising the free movement of your goods when you provide documentary evidence of origin.

You are arriving from another European Union country

When travelling within the European Union, you do not have to pay tax on goods purchased for non-commercial use when you return to your country.
Goods exceeding the following amounts are considered as being commercial nature :

• Tobacco : 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos (small cigars weighing a maximum of 3g each) or 200 cigars or 1kg of smoking tobacco.
• Alcoholic beverages :
  
  • Spirits (whisky, gin, vodka, etc...) : 10 liters
  • Fortified wine (vermouths, port, madeira,etc...) : 20 liters ; Wine (of which 60 liters max. can be sparkling wine): 90 liters
  • Beers : 110 liters.

You are arriving from a non-European Union country

Customs procedures are still carried out at borders. However, no tax or duty on goods is applied to purchases under €175 (€90 for travellers under 15 years old).
Exemption is also granted for the following quantities :

• Tobacco : 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars ou 250g of smoking tobacco. For tobacco only, an assortment of items within the same category is permitted.
• Alcoholic beverages : 2 liters of wine with either 1 liter of more than 22°, or 3 liters of less than 22°. A tax-free allowance only applies to these two categories and for travellers aged 17 and over.
• Perfume : 50g
• Eau de toilette : 1/4 liter
• Coffee : 500g or 200g of coffee extract or concentrate
• Tea : 100g or 40g of tea extract or concentrate.

When returning from Andorra, the following tax-free exemptions apply

Current tax-free exemptions

• €175 for agricultural products (sugar, butter, etc.)
• €525 for other goods.

Quantitative tax-free exemptions

• Tobacco : 300 units for cigarettes, 150 units for cigarillos, 75 units for cigars or 400g of smoking tobacco
• Alcohol : table wine: 5 liters, and either 1.5 liters of strong spirits of over 22° or 3 liters of alcoholic drink of less than 22° (including sparkling wines)
• Perfume : 75g
• Eau de toilette : 3/8 liter

For more information

Airport customs for travellers, Phone number : +33 (0)5 61 30 01 10
Airport customs for freight, Phone number : +33 (0)5 61 16 40 60

You can also find informations on the french Customs Service Website www.douane.gouv.fr or call the Customs service info center, Phone number : +33 (0) 820 02 44 44 .

The French Customs Service provides information in the form of brochures produced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance to help you to travel with peace of mind.
Other sources of information : Consulate or Tourist Information Office in the country you are travelling to.