🇫🇷 France Customs Guide
What customs allows you to bring into France — duty-free caps, banned and restricted goods, and medication rules, from official sources.
Fully verified · Authority: Douane Française (Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects) · Last verified
Every section below carries verbatim quotes from official customs sources captured on the verification date.
Two different questions. Airport security screening (TSA/CATSA — can it go through the checkpoint?) is separate from customs (may it enter the country at all?). This page covers customs after arrival in France; for checkpoint rules, see the item guides.
Duty-free allowances
Arrival from non-EU country (air traveler): personal merchandise allowance of €430 per passenger (€150 for children under 15). Alcohol (17+): 1 liter of spirits (>22% ABV) OR 2 liters of fortified wine/sparkling wine, PLUS 4 liters of still wine AND 16 liters of beer. Tobacco (17+): 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 g smoking tobacco.
“Pour les voyageurs aériens, la valeur marchande globale des biens transportés en franchise ne peut excéder 430 euros par voyageur de 15 ans et plus.”
“Tabacs autorisés : 200 cigarettes ou 100 cigarillos ou 50 cigares ou 250 g de tabac à fumer pour les personnes de 17 ans et plus.”
Prohibited & restricted goods
Strictly prohibited: counterfeit products (smuggling counterfeit goods is a major criminal offense under French customs law with heavy fines), illicit narcotics, weapons and ammunition without authorization, protected species (CITES), and non-EU meat/dairy products.
“La détention de produits contrefaisants est un délit douanier passible de sanctions pénales et de confiscation immédiate.”
“L'importation de produits carnés et laitiers en provenance de pays tiers est strictement interdite pour prévenir les risques sanitaires.”
Medication & prescription drugs
Personal prescription medication permitted for the duration of the stay (up to 3 months). Must be accompanied by a prescription written in French or English specifying dosage and patient identity. Narcotics/controlled psychotropics require a Schengen/ANSM transport certificate.
“Le transport personnel de médicaments est autorisé pour une durée de traitement n'excédant pas 3 mois sur présentation de l'ordonnance médicale.”
“Pour les médicaments stupéfiants ou psychotropes, un certificat médical ou une autorisation spécifique de transport est obligatoire.”
International Travel & Border Protection
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France customs FAQs
What is the duty-free allowance for Francia?
Arrival from non-EU country (air traveler): personal merchandise allowance of €430 per passenger (€150 for children under 15). Alcohol (17+): 1 liter of spirits (>22% ABV) OR 2 liters of fortified wine/sparkling wine, PLUS 4 liters of still wine AND 16 liters of beer. Tobacco (17+): 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250 g smoking tobacco.
What items are prohibited or restricted at Francia customs?
Strictly prohibited: counterfeit products (smuggling counterfeit goods is a major criminal offense under French customs law with heavy fines), illicit narcotics, weapons and ammunition without authorization, protected species (CITES), and non-EU meat/dairy products.
Can I bring medication into Francia?
Personal prescription medication permitted for the duration of the stay (up to 3 months). Must be accompanied by a prescription written in French or English specifying dosage and patient identity. Narcotics/controlled psychotropics require a Schengen/ANSM transport certificate.
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