Monaco customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Monaco has no customs service of its own — French customs polices the border, and the principality sits inside the EU customs territory. The quirk that catches most visitors is cash: undeclared sums at or above the €10,000 threshold can be seized outright, and the fine can reach half the amount. Everything else follows French/EU rules, with a few Andorran exceptions.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1L of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2L of fortified or sparkling wine up to 22% ABV, OR 4L of still wine, OR 16L of beer. Categories can be combined but the total must stay within the allowance. Minimum age 18.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
€10,000 (about USD 10,800) or more in cash, cheques, or bearer negotiable instruments must be declared to French customs. Use the 'Déclaration de capitaux' form at the port or airport; there is no online pre-declaration for travellers.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal goods up to €430 (about USD 465) are duty-free. Above that, French/EU duty applies: typically 2.7% on most goods, 12% on clothing, plus 20% VAT. Goods must be for personal use.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and drugs (including cannabis, even if legal in your home country)
  • Counterfeit goods (fake branded items)
  • Endangered species products (ivory, coral, certain furs)
  • Offensive weapons (switchblades, knuckledusters)
  • Hate speech materials (books, flyers, digital media)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Firearms and ammunition (require prior authorization)
  • Plants and seeds (need a phytosanitary certificate)
  • Live animals (need health certificates and rabies vaccination)
  • Cultural goods (artifacts over 50 years old need an export license)
  • Drones (must be registered and may require permission)

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Nice Côte d'Azur, the main gateway for Monaco, you'll see a red channel for goods to declare and a green channel for nothing to declare. There is no arrival card; if you have nothing to declare, walk through the green channel. If you're over any allowance or carrying €10,000+, go to the red channel and speak to a customs officer.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on purchases over €100.01 in a single store on the same day. Look for the 'Tax Free' sign, get the refund form, and validate it at the PABLO kiosk at Nice airport before check-in. Refunds are paid by the retailer or a refund operator, not at the airport.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. For controlled substances (e.g. narcotics, strong painkillers), you need a valid prescription and may need to declare them. Some common drugs (e.g. certain stimulants) are illegal in France without a specific permit. Check with the French embassy if unsure.

Food, plants & animal products

Meat, dairy, and plant products from outside the EU are banned or restricted. You can bring up to 2kg of certain foods (e.g. honey, eggs) from Andorra, San Marino, or Vatican City, but not from most other countries. Declare all food and plant items; failure to do so can result in fines.

Rules worth knowing

Customs union with France

Monaco has no separate customs authority; French customs rules apply. If you're arriving from another EU country, you don't need to declare anything or respect duty-free limits. If you're arriving from outside the EU, the allowances above apply.

Cash declaration is strict

You must declare €10,000 or more in cash or bearer instruments. This includes traveller's cheques and money orders. Undeclared cash can be seized and you can face fines up to 50% of the amount.

Tobacco from Andorra

If you're arriving directly from Andorra, you can bring 300 cigarettes (instead of 200) and 1.5L of spirits (instead of 1L). This exception only applies to direct arrivals from Andorra.

No duty-free on arrival from EU

If your flight originated in another EU country, you cannot buy duty-free goods on arrival in Nice/Monaco. Duty-free allowances only apply if you're arriving from outside the EU.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. If you're carrying €10,000 or more and you enter the EU at a French airport, you must declare it to French customs, even if your final destination is Monaco. Monaco is inside the EU customs territory for this purpose.
Yes, for personal use. Bring it in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. For controlled substances, check the French drug classification; some common medications (e.g. Adderall) are banned. When in doubt, declare it.
You'll pay duty and VAT on the excess. For example, if you bring 2L of spirits (over the 1L limit), you'll pay about €8 per 0.75L bottle in duty plus 20% VAT on the total value. It's often not worth it for small amounts.
No specific duty-free limit for perfume, but it must be for personal use. If you bring large quantities (e.g. more than 5 bottles), customs may consider it commercial and charge duty.
No, if you're arriving from outside the EU. Meat and dairy products are banned. You can bring up to 2kg of certain foods (honey, eggs) only from Andorra, San Marino, or Vatican City. Declare all food.
No, there is no general arrival card. You only need to declare if you exceed allowances or carry €10,000+ cash. In that case, use the red channel and speak to an officer.
Yes, if you're a non-EU resident. Spend at least €100.01 in one store on the same day, get the tax-free form, and validate it at the PABLO kiosk at Nice airport before departure. The refund is processed by the retailer or refund company.

Official source

French Customs (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with French Customs (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects) before travelling.