France customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

France enforces EU customs rules with particular strictness on cash declarations and meat/dairy imports. The biggest risk for travelers is failing to declare cash over €10,000 or bringing prohibited animal products from outside the EU, which can lead to seizure and fines.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1L of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2L of wine/beer (under 22% ABV). Must be 18+. If you exceed, duty is due on the full amount. Duty-free up to €0 value for these quantities.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

€10,000 (approx. $10,800) or more in cash or equivalent monetary instruments must be declared. Use the EU cash declaration form (available at customs or online). Failure to declare risks seizure and a fine up to 50% of the amount.

Goods duty-free

$800

€430 (approx. $465) duty-free for goods (gifts, personal items) when arriving from outside the EU. Above that, duty is typically 2.5%–17% depending on the item, plus 20% VAT on the total value.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychoactive substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without a permit)
Counterfeit goods (brand fakes, pirated items)
Endangered species products (ivory, tortoiseshell, caviar without CITES permit)
Meat and dairy products from outside the EU (except small amounts for medical reasons)
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives (including pepper spray, tasers)
Obscene or hateful materials (books, films, etc.)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Cash or equivalent over €10,000 (must declare)
Medications containing controlled substances (require prior permit from ANSM)
Plants, seeds, and live animals (require phytosanitary or CITES certificates)
Drones (must comply with French drone registration and insurance rules)
Satellite phones and certain radio equipment (require a license from ANFR)

Arriving: red vs green channel

After baggage claim, follow signs to customs. If you have nothing to declare and are within duty-free limits, use the green channel. If you have goods to declare, cash over €10,000, or restricted items, use the red channel. No arrival card is needed.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Tourists from outside the EU can claim back VAT (TVA) on purchases over €100 (incl. tax) from a single store on the same day. Ask for a 'bordereau' (detaxe form) at the shop. At departure, scan the barcode at a PABLO kiosk in the airport (or get a manual stamp at customs). Refund is typically 12–13% of the purchase price.

Bringing medication

Personal medications for up to 3 months are allowed without a prescription, but carry a doctor's note or prescription. Controlled substances (e.g., strong painkillers, ADHD meds) require a prior import permit from ANSM (French drug agency). Codeine-based painkillers are strictly regulated.

Food, plants & animal products

Meat, dairy, and products containing them are banned from non-EU countries (except small quantities of infant formula or special medical food). Plants, seeds, fruits, and vegetables must be declared and may require a phytosanitary certificate. Honey and spices are generally allowed in small quantities.

Rules worth knowing

EU vs non-EU rules

If you arrive from another EU country, you can bring unlimited goods for personal use (no duty-free limits). But if you arrive from outside the EU, the strict €430 goods limit applies. Customs officers may ask for proof of purchase.

Cash declaration is mandatory

Any amount of €10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies, gold, negotiable instruments) must be declared. This includes combined amounts from multiple people travelling together. Failure to declare can result in seizure and a fine up to 50%.

Meat and dairy ban from non-EU

You cannot bring any meat, dairy, or products containing them (e.g., sausages, cheese, ham) from outside the EU. This is strictly enforced by sniffer dogs. Exceptions only for infant formula or special medical food in small quantities.

VAT refund kiosks

At major airports, use the PABLO automated kiosks to scan your detaxe forms. If the kiosk rejects the form (e.g., for high-value items), you must get a manual stamp from customs. Keep the goods handy for inspection.

Frequently asked questions

You clear customs at your first point of entry into the EU. If you land in Frankfurt, you go through customs there, and your luggage is already cleared for the rest of the EU. If you have a direct flight to Paris, you clear customs in Paris.

Codeine is a controlled substance in France. For personal use up to 3 months, you should carry a doctor's prescription and a letter explaining your condition. For larger quantities or stronger opioids (morphine, oxycodone), you need a prior import permit from ANSM. Without it, customs can seize the medication and fine you.

Yes. The duty-free goods allowance for non-EU arrivals is €430. The watch is €500, so you must declare it in the red channel. You'll pay duty (typically 2.5–4% for watches) and 20% VAT on the full value. Keep the receipt.

No. The threshold is €10,000 (or equivalent). €9,000 is below that, so no declaration is needed. But if you're travelling with a group and the combined cash is €10,000 or more, each person should declare their portion.

Yes, Cuban cigars are legal in France. The duty-free allowance is 50 cigars per person (or 100 cigarillos). If you bring more, you must declare them and pay duty. There is no embargo on Cuban goods in France.

Personal electronics for your own use (laptop, camera, phone) are generally considered personal effects and not subject to duty, as long as they are not new or in commercial quantities. But if you also have new goods worth over €430, you may need to declare them. Customs officers may ask for proof of ownership (receipts or serial numbers).

No, because you are travelling within the EU. There are no customs controls between EU countries for personal-use goods. You can bring any amount of cheese, wine, or other products for your own consumption.

Official source

Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (French Customs)