Customs: goods prohibited or regulated upon entry into France
Verified 26 August 2020 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ?
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:
Who shall I contact
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)
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)
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).
- Penal Code: Articles 227-15 to 227-28-3Article 227-23
- Public Health Code: Articles L5231-1 to L5231-4Prohibition of baby bottles or toys containing bisphenol A
- Decree of 24 May 2006 on the health requirements of plants, plant products and other objects
- Decree No. 96-1133 of 24 December 1996 on the prohibition of asbestos, adopted under the Labor Code and the Consumer CodeBan on the import of asbestos
- Customs Code: Rule 38Prohibition of the import of counterfeit goods
- Customs Code: Articles 423 to 429Undeclared imports and exports
- Customs Code: Articles 414 to 414-2Repression of customs offenses
- Defense Code: Article L2335-1Importation and export of war and related materials from the territory of the European Union
- Defense Code: Articles R2335-1 to R2335-8Importation and export of war and related materials from the territory of the European Union
- Public Health Code: Articles R5132-74 to R5132-87Prohibition of the import of narcotic substances and preparations
- Characteristics of your goods (restriction of movement, prohibition)Ministry of Economy
- Customs infringement of counterfeitingMinistry of Economy
- Plant health and protectionMinistry of Agriculture
- International trade in wildlifeMinistry of the Environment
- Cites.org siteConvention on International Trade in Wild Species (Cites)
- Quantity of plants allowed in passenger luggageMinistry of Economy
- Phytosanitary restrictions on the introduction of plants, fruit and vegetablesMinistry of Economy