Customs: how does the traveler's check go?
Verified 28 April 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
When traveling in Europe or abroad, you are subject to customs controls. They take place mainly in the airports, the harbors, the trains, on motorways and when passing through boundary. We explain how a customs check is carried out and what is checked: identity, merchandise, vehicle.
The situation is different if you come back from a member country of the European Union (EU) or another country.
EU
You can be checked at different places in the territory:
- Boundary and area around the called boundary "customs department"
- Airport, train station, sea port, motorway, train, boat
- Any place in the public space of the territory (rarer)
Role of Customs Officers
The control must be clear well-known.
Example :
If you are being controlled on a highway or train, officers should introduce themselves by starting with the following sentence: "This is a customs control".
The agents are either identifiable by the port of theuniformor, if they are in civilian clothes, by wearing a armband "customs".
They have to explain theobject control.
They have the right to make body searches.
You must answer all questions that are relevant to the proper conduct of the inspection (place of origin, goods transported, etc.).
He is prohibits denying control on penalty of fine and imprisonment.
Please note
You can ask customs officials to present their map called professional employment commission. In particular, it must contain their identity.
Controlled Documents and Objects
Customs officers shall monitor the following:
- Your identity papers
- Your luggage and goods carried
- Your vehicle
To find out everything about the customs control process, you can go to the customs website.
Prohibitions
He is forbidden carrying drugs, counterfeit goods and protected animal or plant species.
Restrictions specific to certain goods
The carriage of the following goods is authorized according to specific conditions :
- Cash
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Pet
- Weapons and ammunition
- Sensitive goods : medicine, work of art, food product (fruit, vegetables, meat), plants
In image
Passing customs with peace of mind
If you exceed the authorized quantities (for tobacco and thealcohol), you must pay customs duties, possibly fines and your goods may be confiscated.
Warning
The overseas countries, some of the islands, Andorra and Monaco, have specific regulations equivalent to those of non-EU countries. In some cases, you have to pay customs duties. Find out.
As a result of the check, you can make a written claim on a dedicated register located in each customs service.
Who shall I contact
If you are not satisfied, you can also make a claim to the mediator economic and financial ministries.
Request mediation from the Ombudsman of Economic and Financial Ministries
Elsewhere
You can be checked at different places in the territory:
- Boundary and area around the called boundary "customs department"
- Airport, train station, sea port, motorway, train, boat
- Any place in the public space of the territory (rarer)
Role of Customs Officers
The control must be clear well-known.
Example :
If you are being controlled on a highway or train, officers should introduce themselves by starting with the following sentence: "This is a customs control".
The agents are either identifiable by the port of theuniformor, if they are in civilian clothes, by wearing a armband "customs".
They have to explain theobject control.
They have the right to make body searches.
You must answer all questions that are relevant to the proper conduct of the inspection (place of origin, goods transported, etc.).
He is prohibits denying control on penalty of fine and imprisonment.
Please note
You can ask customs officials to present their map called professional employment commission. In particular, it must contain their identity.
Controlled Documents and Objects
Customs officers shall monitor the following:
- Your identity papers
- Your luggage and goods carried
- Your vehicle
To find out everything about the customs control process, you can go to the customs website.
You must declare your goods purchased abroad if they exceed value or quantity thresholds.
Please note
In case of absence or misrepresentation, you must pay the duties and taxes and any fines. Merchandise or money can be confiscated.
You pay customs duties on the following goods based on the quantities reported:
- The value of products purchased for personal use exceeds a certain amount.
- You're bringing back some tobacco or thealcohol beyond certain quantities.
- You carry money beyond a certain amount.
In image
Pass customs with peace of mind
He is forbidden transporting drugs, counterfeit goods, protected animal or plant species, meat and milk.
The carriage of the following goods is authorized according to specific conditions :
- Cash
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Pet
- Sensitive goods : weapon, plant and animal endangered, medicine, work of art, food product
As a result of the check, you can make a written claim on a dedicated register located in each customs service.
Who shall I contact
If you are not satisfied, you can also make a claim to the mediator economic and financial ministries.
Request mediation from the Ombudsman of Economic and Financial Ministries
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
All your questions by phone
Customs Service InfoTo 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
Complaints on customs register
European Customs: directory of servicesWritten request for information: contact form
Directorate General of Indirect Taxes Customs (DGDDI)
- Customs Code: Articles 43 to 45Scope of action of the customs service
- Customs Code: Articles 60 to 63aPowers of customs officers
- Customs Code: Articles 67 to 67-1Customs control
- Customs Code: Article 67cControl of titles
- Bring alcohol from the foreignerService-Public.fr
- Customs: What products are prohibited from being brought to France?Service-Public.fr
- Do you pay customs duties on your purchases while traveling (EU and foreigner)?Service-Public.fr
- Security check: body search, bag check, vehicle check...Service-Public.fr
- Everything you need to know about customs controlsMinistry of Finance
- European Union countriesEuropean Commission
- Flying: Baggage screening at European airportsEuropean Commission
- Passing Customs in SwitzerlandSwiss Confederation
- Customs department: definitionDirectorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes
- Bring alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to the European UnionEuropean Commission
- Tobacco purchased in the European UnionMinistry of Finance
- Travel adviceMinistry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Travel outside the EU: free movement card for your goodsMinistry of Finance