France customs – imports of alcohol

• Travelers aged 17 and over are allowed to import alcoholic beverages in France. The quantities mentioned apply per person.

France customs – alcohol imports from an EU country

• 10 liters of liquor with an alcohol content of more than 22% and
• 20 liters of liquor with an alcohol content of no more than 22% and
• 90 liters of wine (of which a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine) and
• 110 liters of beer.

France customs – alcohol imports from a non-EU country

• 1 liter of beverage with an alcoholic strength of more than 22% or
• 2 liters of alcohol with a maximum alcohol content of 22% with in addition
• 4 liters of non-sparkling wine and
• 16 liters of beer.

France customs – alcohol imports from Andorra

• 1.5 liters of liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 22% or
• 3 liters of liquor with an alcohol content of no more than 22% and
• 5 liters of non-sparkling wine.

Particularities

The minimum age for the consumption and / or purchase of alcoholic beverages may deviate in the country itself from the minimum age for the import of alcoholic beverages.

France customs – import of money

• Domestic and foreign payment instruments may be freely imported from an EU country.Domestic and foreign payment instruments may be freely imported from a non-EU country to the equivalent of € 10,000 (including checks and bank drafts). Amounts above the equivalent of € 10,000 must be indicated.

France customs – money export

• Domestic and foreign payment instruments may be freely exported to an EU country.
• Domestic and foreign payment instruments may be freely issued to a non-EU country up to the equivalent of € 10,000 (including checks and bank drafts). Amounts above the equivalent of € 10,000 must be indicated.

France customs – imports of tobacco

• Travelers from the age of 17 are allowed to import tobacco into France. The quantities mentioned apply per person.

France customs – tobacco imports from an EU country

• 800 cigarettes and
• 400 cigarillos (maximum 3 g each) and
• 200 cigars and
• 1 kg of tobacco.

France customs – tobacco imports from a non-EU country

• 200 cigarettes or
• 100 cigarillos (maximum 3 g each) or
• 50 cigars or
• 250 g of tobacco or
• a proportional distribution of the above products.

France customs – tobacco imports from Andorra

• 300 cigarettes or
• 150 cigarillos (maximum 3 g each) or
• 75 cigars or
• 400 g of tobacco.

France customs rules miscellaneous

Foods

Imports from an EU country

• Food, fruit and flowers may be imported without restriction, if intended for personal use.

Imports from Andorra

• Groceries may be freely imported up to an amount of € 300, persons under 15 years up to € 150, including:
• 1 kg of coffee or 400 g of coffee extract
• 200 g tea or 80 g tea extract
• 2.5 kg of powdered milk
• 3 kg of condensed milk
• 6 kg of fresh milk
• 1 kg of butter
• 4 kg of cheese
• 5 kg of sugar or sugar
• 5 kg of meat

Imports from a non-EU country

• A limited amount of food may be introduced for 1 to 2 days.
• Animal products may not be imported with the exception of products from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. To a limited extent these may be imported if they originate from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland, provided they are intended for personal use.

Other goods

Imports from an EU country

• Other goods, including gifts and souvenirs, may be imported without restriction, provided they are intended for private use.

Imports from Andorra

• 75 g of perfume
• 375 ml eau de toilette
• Other goods, including gifts and souvenirs, may be freely imported up to a value of € 900, for persons under 15 years up to € 450.

Imports from a non-EU country

• Other goods, including gifts and souvenirs, may be imported up to a value of € 430 if you enter the country via an air or sea port, persons under 15 years up to € 90 and other travelers up to a value of € 300.
• Gold can be imported, in addition to personal jewelery, up to a weight of 500 g.

Export

• Gold may, in addition to personal jewelery, be carried out to a weight of 500 g.

France customs – medicines

• It is advisable to bring a medical passport. The European Medical Passport contains data on medication use, diseases or disorders. It is available for a small fee, including from general practitioners and pharmacies.

Medical statement

• To take medicines that fall under the Opium Act (such as certain sleeping pills, ADD drugs and strong painkillers), you must have a so-called Schengen declaration (legalized medical certificate) with you for these medicines.
• Traveling with these medicines without explanation is punishable.
• The declaration is valid for 30 days after the specified effective date.
• Request the declaration at least 4 weeks before departure.

Pets

• Every country has rules for importing pets.

France customs – pet on vacation

• France is a dog-friendly country. There are numerous guest houses, holiday homes and hotels where you can stay with your dog. The dog is also welcome on most campsites.
• In the forests a dog can often run loose, on the beaches there are clear guidelines and they are not welcome on busy beaches in high season. Every municipality can draw up its own rules about dogs.
• The hunt is still being practiced intensively in France. In wooded areas you can get along with the dog on certain days, stay away from the neighborhood.
• Most restaurants accept dogs, you do well to inform them in advance. Especially in the big cities people often object to dogs. This is less problematic on terraces.

Identification

• A dog or cat needs an EU pet passport, available from the vet. This passport contains a description of the animal, the name and address of the owner, the registration number of the chip (standard ISO microchip 11784/11785 is inserted) and the proof of vaccination against rabies. There is also room in the passport for a health certificate and other treatments or vaccinations.

Health

• Dogs and cats must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the trip (rabies vaccination). The validity period depends on the guidelines of the manufacturer of the vaccine (1-3 years).
• Note: the chip must have been inserted against rabies before the vaccination (on the same day).
• No mandatory additional treatments are required in France.
• Dogs and cats do not have to quarantine in France.
• France and especially the Mediterranean are risk areas, a dog or cat can get sick during the holidays as a result of ticks or insect bites. There are sufficient preventive measures. Please contact the vet at least 4 weeks before departure.
• The temperature in France can rise significantly in the summer. Your dog can therefore quickly overheat. Always ensure sufficient water and cooling.

Forbidden dogs

• Dogs that do not have a pedigree and look like:
• Pitbulls
• English Staffordshire and American Staffordshire terrier
• Mastiff (Boerbul)
• Tosa
• If your dog is similar to the above-mentioned breeds, take an English or French statement from the vet that excludes agreements.
• Purebred dogs such as the American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler (as pedigree dog or crossbreed) and tosa with pedigree may be entered. These family trees must be recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture. If in doubt, you can consult scc.asso.fr. The conditions imposed on the owner of these varieties are very strict, for example a French language course and behavioral test must be done. This makes taking these dogs on vacation almost impossible. Note: the rules also apply if you are traveling through France.
• No additional conditions apply to English Staffordshire terriers and mastiffs in possession of an official pedigree.

Pets and transport

• In the train, small dogs in a basket or bag are allowed to travel for free on the train, large dogs travel for half a dollar. By bus, RER (Paris region), tram or metro it becomes more difficult. Large dogs must be muzzled and leashed in the RER and only in the front or rear wagon. In bus, tram or metro they are often not allowed to join, small dogs alone in a basket or bag.
• In some large cities there are special dog taxis.
• The French government has no specific rules for the transport of a dog or cat in the car. In general, you are not allowed to transport a pet in the car in such a way that it leads to or can lead to dangerous situations or traffic nuisance.

Young animals

• From December 29, 2014 all puppies and kittens that are taken to France must be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccination is only possible from 12 weeks. The statutory waiting time after vaccination is 21 days, so that animals under the age of 15 are no longer allowed to enter.

Particularities

• Also remember to look at the rules of the countries you are traveling through to France.

Here you will find more information about France.