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Customs: What products are prohibited from being brought to France?

Verified 07 December 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

He is forbidden entry in France with drugs, counterfeits, some plants and animals. The weapons, the animals, the fruit and vegetables, in particular works of art are subject to regulation strict. If you don't respect it, you risk sanctions.

Please note

The main products are discussed below. However, the list is not exhaustive. If necessary, ask for more information from the Customs Service Info.

The legislation varies according to of the country from which you are returning (fromEU (EU) or other area).

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You have just returned from an EU country (except overseas)

You can bring back food products, under 2 conditions:

  • they are intended for the consumption,
  • and that the quantities correspond to a personal use.

However, there are special rules for certain products and for certain countries.

Find out then withCustoms Service Info or the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (VEVIS):

Who shall I contact

  • Customs Service Info

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By telephone

     0 800 94 40 40

    Open from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm

    Toll-free number, local call price

    Outside metropolis or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

You are returning from a country outside the EU or from overseas

The introduction into France of food products from a non-EU countryEuropean Union or a country of the East highly controlled.

Are prohibited, all foodanimal origin  :

  • Meat
  • Meat products
  • Dairy products

Please note

If you come back from Faroe Islands or the Greenland, you can bring back small quantities of meat and dairy products (maximum 10 kg). There are no quantity restrictions on fish and fishery products from these two territories.

Are tolerated according to the quantity thresholds (in kg) and the packaging method :

  • Fishery products
  • Honey
  • Snails
  • Powdered infant milk
  • Pet food

For the introduction of all fruit and vegetables, you must submit a phytosanitary certificate obtained from the country of consignment.

FYI  

Only bananas, coconuts, durian, dates and pineapples are allowed to enter France unlimited quantity and without certificate phytosanitary.

Pet

You must verify that your animal is allowed to enter France.

Example :

Some dogs are banned from entering France (e.g. pit bull).

Most pets should be vaccinated and chips (or tattooed), and have a European identification passport.

For these steps, you should consult a veterinarian.

Who shall I contact

Protected animal species, threatened with extinction

He is forbidden to bring back a endangered protected animal or dangerous to the ecosystem.

Dead animal parts (teeth, shells, skin...) are also protected and prohibited from entering France.

In particular, the following animal species are protected: turtle, chimpanzee, squirrel, hedgehog, wolf, bear, lynx, common viper.

If you wish to bring a non-domestic animal listed as a protected species back to France, you must ask one authorisation.

The list of protected species is available on the i-CITES application:

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Before you leave, you need to make a certificate application d'export andimport (in France) since country of origin.

Application for Import Permits and Certificates (CITES)

Application for Export Permits and Re-Export Certificates (CITES)

FYI  

It is advisable to make your application for a permit and export and import licenses several weeks (1 to 4 weeks of processing time) before import in France.

For any questions about a particular case and to know your CITES interlocutor depending on your region:

Who shall I contact

You risk until 3 years imprisonment and €150,000 fine if you do not submit a permit or certificate CITES for the keeping of such products or animals.

Warning  

Products of protected animal species may be illegally sold abroad (ivory jewelry, clothing in python skin). You risk the confiscation goods at customs, a high fine and a sentence of prison.

The legislation varies according to of the country from which you are returning (fromEU (EU) or other area).

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You are traveling in an EU country

You travel with your own weapon

You are weapon holder and you want to travel with it within the the European Union ?

Sporting shooting, hunting, historical reconstruction

You can travel with your weapon without a transfer permit at condition the reason for the transport corresponds toone of the following 3 uses :

  • Sports Shooting (of which the ball-trap)
  • Participation in a historical re-enactment
  • Hunting

You must then own the european firearms pass.

You must also submit a document proof of the use of your weapon: a sporting federation certificate, a collector's card or a hunting license.

FYI  

You risk 2 years of prison and €30,000 a fine if you are unable to provide proof of use.

Other reason for transport

If you are traveling with your weapon for any reason other than sport shooting, hunting or participating in a historical re-enactment, you must apply for a transfer permit to the Customs Directorate.

This application for a transfer permit must be accompanied by a prior agreement of introduction issued by the country of destination.

These requests can be made through the service online of Customs called e-APS Online service:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of arms transfers for private individuals

Or you can download, fill out, and return the 2 forms to the Customs Directorate:

Apply for a license to transfer firearms and ammunition to a European country

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

You could face a 2-year sentence of prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a category C or ammunition without authorization; 7 years in prison and €100,000 of fine for category A and B weapons.

FYI  

If you don't follow the rules for carrying and transporting a weapon, you also risk penalties and fines even if your authorization to detain is in order. To learn more you can consult our content on carrying and transporting a weapon.

You bring back a weapon acquired during a trip

If you wish to bring a weapon back to France with or without ammunition, you must ask one import authorization.

For this you can use the service online next:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of arms transfers for private individuals

Or you can use the forms following:

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Application for authorization to import war materiel, arms and ammunition

You could face a 2-year sentence of prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a category C or ammunition without authorization; 7 years in prison and €100,000 of fine for category A and B weapons.

FYI  

If you don't follow the rules for carrying and transporting a weapon, you also risk penalties and fines even if your authorization to detain is in order. To learn more you can consult our content on carrying and transporting a weapon.

You are returning from another country (outside the EU)

You bring back a weapon for sports, hunting or a collector's weapon

You must know the category (A, B, C or D) to which your weapon belongs.

If your weapon belongs to the category C (sport shooting, hunting or collector's weapon), you must provide Customs officials with a report d'expertise.

This document is provided by the service of the National Proof Bench located in Saint-Étienne.

Before any travel, you must ensure that you have this report of expertise proving that your weapon has been tested. It is advisable to do this examination at least every 30 years.

L'test of any weapon is obligatory, whether you are transporting it on a trip or not. It is used to prove its resistance and the safety of the user.

You must send your gun to this service. Following this examination, your weapon is stamped, certified and registered.

Who shall I contact

  • National test bench

    Postal address

    National Test Bench

    Industrial Zone Molina La Chazotte

    5 rue de Méons - CS 40147

    42004 Saint-Étienne cedex 1

    Mail

    info@banc-epreuve.fr

You risk 2 years of prison and €30,000 a fine if you are unable to submit a report of your weapon's expertise if it is a category C weapon ; 7 years in prison and €100,000 of fine for category A and B weapons.

You're bringing a gun for another reason

You must ask one import authorization.

To do this you can use the following online service:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of arms transfers for private individuals

Or you can use the following forms:

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Application for authorization to import war materiel, arms and ammunition

You may be sentenced to:

  • 2 years of prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a category C or ammunition without authorization
  • 7 years in prison and €100,000 of fine for category A and B weapons.

Hold, carry in his luggage or bring in in France, products of forgery is illegal.

These products may be dangerous for the health of users. Indeed, the substances that make up their manufacture are not verified.

If you have a counterfeit item during a customs check, it is a offense.

You must then pay a fine between 1 and 2 times the value of the item (not counterfeit).

You may also be sentenced to 3 years of prison and €300,000 of fine.

Example :

Counterfeiting concerns all types of objects: toy, clothing, leather goods, glasses, medicine, household appliance, spare part, cigarettes, perfume, cosmetic product, software, music, computer, mobile phone, etc.

Hold, carry or bring in in France narcotics is illegal.

Example :

Amphetamines, cannabis, hallucinogenic mushrooms, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, methadone, morphine, opium

A narcotic is a drug unlawful.

Possessing or importing drugs is a offense.

You may be fined €7,500 000 and 10 years of prison.

Please note

Certain drugs may be taken as medicine. The quantities must then correspond to a personal use. If you come back from a non-Schengen countries, you must present theordinance medical.

In case of doubt, you can contact the National Agency for Drug Safety (ANSM):

Who shall I contact

You need to define the category of drugs you are transporting.

There are 2 categories:

  • Medicines belonging to the family of narcotics (methadone and morphine for example)
  • Ordinary drugs that are not considered drugs

The entry into France of narcotic drugs follows different rules than those for other drugs.

Please note

Whatever the situation, it is prudent to going on a trip with your doctor's prescription to make it easier to justify the transport of medicines.

The regulations differ depending on whether you are returning from a Schengen member country or not.

For example, the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area.

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Drug considered as a narcotic (e.g. methadone, morphine)

The legislation varies according to of the country from which you are returning : from an EU countrySchengen area or other area.

You have just returned from a Schengen country

The quantity of medicinal products transported must correspond to personal use and for the duration of treatment (maximum 3 months).

During a customs check, you must present:

  • either theordinance the doctor corresponding to the medicinal products,
  • or a certificate administrative medical services obtained from the Regional Health Agency.
Who shall I contact
You are returning from a non-Schengen country

The quantity of medicinal products transported must correspond to personal use and for the duration of treatment (maximum 3 months).

You must submit theordinance from your doctor to the control authorities.

Other drug

The amount of medicine you carry should be personal use and to the duration of the treatment or up to 3 months of treatment.

At customs, a ordinance of the doctor is not necessary.

However, as a precaution, advisable have a valid prescription (less than 3 months) with you.

Warning  

If your treatment requires travel with needles, syringes or pens for injection, it is advisable to have a medical certificate. This should be asked of your treating physician who writes it. The customs control is then easier if you can present a medical certificate to the authorities.

The import of works of art and cultural goods into France is subject to strict controls by Customs.

He is forbidden to bring a cultural object or work of art into France without having obtained a exit permit from the country of origin.

Customs distinguish 2 categories of works of art with separate checks :

  • Works of art of national interest subject toinventory considered as national treasure (work belonging to a museum or foundation)
  • Work of art considered as cultural property (all non-treasury)

Please note

Customs control shall be carried out to combat trafficking in cultural goods illegally taken out of their country of origin.

For learn more, you can consult the Customs site on the import of cultural goods.

FYI  

In case a work of art is carried by its author, national and European accompanying documents are not required. As regards customs formalities, a simplified procedure detailed inventory is planned.

Find out with your customs office.

  • Customs Service Info

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By telephone

     0 800 94 40 40

    Open from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm

    Toll-free number, local call price

    Outside metropolis or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

If you are unable to present an exit permit from the country of origin, you risk 2 years of prison and €450,000 of fine.

You're not allowed to possess or carry an object with a picture pedophile in nature.

It's all about pornographic representation of a adolescent or minor child.

You may be subject to penalties if Customs finds this type of item in your possession during an inspection.

This is an offense punishable by a penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of €75,000.

Certain substances mineral or chemical are defined as dangerous.

The following products that include any of these substances in their components of manufacture are prohibited to enter the UK:

  • Product containing lead salts (imitation beads) or nickel (jewelry, button, zipper)
  • Bottle or toy containing bisphenol A
  • Products containingasbestos or asbestos fibers

To find out the regulations on the products you want to import into France and any prior authorizations, you can contact the Product Contact Point companies Branch (GIB), for individuals and companies.

Who shall I contact

In case of non-declaration or misrepresentation, you may be sentenced to 2 years of prison and €75,000 of fine.

Depending on the nature of the product, the penalty (fine and imprisonment) is different:

  • Asbestos: fine of €1,500
  • Bottle (containing bisphenol A): 3 years in prison and €3,750 fine

The goods transported may be confiscated.

The approach is different depending on whether you are returning from a European Union (EU) countries or a third country (outside the EU).

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You have just returned from an EU country

You can bring back plants intended for planting, provided that the quantities correspond to a personal use.

Warning  

However, some plants are forbidden, such as the feet of cannabis.

Ask the border veterinary and phytosanitary inspection service (SIVEP) or customs services:

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

  • Customs Service Info

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By telephone

     0 800 94 40 40

    Open from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm

    Toll-free number, local call price

    Outside metropolis or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form

You are returning from a non-EU country

You must know-how if the species transported is endangered or not and therefore protected or not protected by the CITES Convention.

For this, you can use thesearch tool next:

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Unprotected plant species

The introduction into the European Union of plants intended for planting is very controlled.

You must request a phytosanitary certificate as of 1er specimen transported.

The request has to be made before you leave, from the country of origin of the goods.

It must be sent to the border veterinary and plant health inspection service (SIVEP):

Who shall I contact
Protected plant species

If you wish to bring back to France a specimen listed as a protected plant species, you must ask one authorisation.

The list of protected species is available on thei-CITES application :

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Example :

The following species in particular are protected: Mexican cedar, coral, ivory, orchid, cactus

Before you leave, you need to make a certificate application d'export andimport (in France) since country of origin.

Application for Import Permits and Certificates (CITES)

Application for Export Permits and Re-Export Certificates (CITES)

FYI  

It is advisable to make your application for a permit and export and import licenses several weeks (1 to 4 weeks of processing time) before import in France.

For any questions about a particular case and to know your CITES interlocutor depending on your region:

Who shall I contact

FYI  

You risk until 3 years imprisonment and €150,000 a fine if you do not present a CITES permit or certificate for the possession of these protected products or plants.

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