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Customs: goods prohibited or regulated upon entry into France

Verified 26 August 2020 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The entry into France of certain goods can be prohibited (narcotic or dangerous product for example) or regulated (weapon, food product...). You risk the seizure of the product, a fine and sometimes a prison sentence.

The entry into France of certain goods is prohibited. In particular:

  • Narcotic drugs, unless authorized by the Director General of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicinal Products and Health Products (ANSM)
  • Pedophile products and objects (including images or depictions of minors of a pornographic nature)
  • Products containing hazardous substances (e.g.: nickel
  • Babies or toys containing bisphenol A
  • Asbestos or products containing

Entry into France or the mere possession of counterfeit products is prohibited. This is a offense and then you risk a fine and jail time.

Counterfeiting concerns all areas. Examples: toys, textiles, medicines, domestic appliances, spare parts, cigarettes, perfumes, cosmetics, software, digital products.

FYI  

a counterfeit product may involve health and safety risks.

From Europe

Temporary introduction of weapon

If you are traveling with a weapon or ammunition, you must have a European firearms map and authorization (except for certain exceptions for sport shooters and hunters).

Final introduction of the weapon

You must obtain a permit to bring a weapon or ammunition into France.

Depending on the type of weapon, you will need to get from customs 

  • prior agreement to transfer firearms and ammunition 
  • or an authorization to import war material.

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Application for authorization to import war materials, weapons and ammunition

From another country

You must first check the steps to be taken with the customs services:

The introduction into France of certain fruit and vegetables is prohibited due to plant health risks.

Products of animal origin (meat, meat products and dairy products) from countries which are not the European Union are strictly prohibited.

Fishery products, other products of animal origin (honey, snails, etc.), milk powder, infant food or pet food may be tolerated at certain thresholds and in certain packages.

Contact the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (VFEIS) or the Customs Service to find out:

Verify that your animal is allowed to enter France.. For example, some dogs are forbidden.

In addition, some species are protected by convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora , CITES..

You must not bring back any endangered animals (turtles....) or harmful to the ecosystem.

Parts of dead animals (teeth, carapaces, etc.) are also protected.

If you own or transport a specimen of a threatened species, you must be able to prove the regularity of that possession (permit or certificate says CITES, certificate of origin, notification of import...). These documents shall be checked by customs. In France, documents CITES shall be issued by Dreal: titleContent..

These documents must be obtained before introduction in Europe or in France goods.

Application for an import, export and re-export permit (CITES)

Who shall I contact

Warning  

rare species products may be sold illegally abroad (e.g. ivory jewelry, python clothing). The risk is the seizure of items at customs, a heavy fine and a prison sentence.

Certain plants (flowers, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds...) are prohibited from entering the European Union.

Others are subject to mandatory entry through a Community port of entry (CEP). If the products are in conformity, a phytosanitary pass is given to the traveler by the veterinary and phytosanitary inspection service at the borders (SIVEP).

Warning  

some species (or products containing them) are protected by convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora , CITES..

You must not bring back an endangered plant species (coral, ivory....) or dangerous to the European ecosystem.

Parts of plants (dried corals) are also protected.

If you own or transport a specimen of a threatened species, you must be able to prove the regularity of that possession and hold certain documents (permit or certificate)CITES", certificate of origin, notification of import...).

These documents shall be checked by customs.

In France, CITES documents are issued by Dreal: titleContent..

These documents must be obtained before the goods are brought into Europe or France.

Application for an import, export and re-export permit (CITES)

Who shall I contact

Contact the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (VFEIS) or the Customs Service to find out:

Medications are only admitted for personal use (with a prescription if the treatment is more than 3 months).