Customs: how does the traveler's check go?
Verified 07 November 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
During your travels (Europe and foreigner country), you and your merchandise, baggage and vehicleare subject to customs controls. They take place mainly in the airports, the harbors, the trains, on motorways and when passing through boundary.
The situation is different if you come back from a member country of the European Union (EU) or a country outside the EU.
European Union
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)
FYI
The customs department, where customs officers can make a control, is extended to 40 kilometers beyond each land border. For boats it is located at 12 miles beyond the coastline.
The control must be clear well-known.
Example :
If you are stopped on a highway or train, agents should contact you as follows: "This is a Customs control".
Agents are identifiable by wearing a uniform, or if they are dressed in civilian clothes, by wearing a armband with the words "customs".
Please note
You can ask Customs officials to present their map called professional employment commission. This card must include elements describing their identity (name, photo, etc.).
They have to explain theobject control, i.e. the reasons for or context of the control.
Customs officers shall have the right to carry out body searches.
You must answer all questions that are relevant to the proper conduct of the inspection (place of origin, goods transported, etc.).
Customs officers check the following items and documents:
- Your identity papers
- Your luggage and goods carried
- Your vehicle
He is forbidden of refuse control.
The refusal to submit you to customs control is punished :
- a sentence of 1 year prison
- and €3,750 of fine.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Prohibitions
He is forbidden to transport 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
Infographie - Passing customs with peace of mind
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Warning
The overseas countries, some islands, Andorra and Monaco, have a specific regulation, equivalent to those of countries outside the European Union. In some cases, you have to pay customs duties. Find out.
Sanctions
If you exceed quantities allowed (for tobacco and thealcohol), you must pay customs duties, possibly fines and your goods can be confiscated.
Following 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
To learn more about the customs control process, you can visit the Customs website.
Non-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)
FYI
The customs department, where customs officers can make a control, is extended to 40 kilometers beyond each land border. For boats it is located at 12 miles beyond the coastline.
The control must be clear well-known.
Example :
If you are stopped on a highway or train, agents should contact you as follows: "This is a Customs control".
Agents are identifiable by wearing a uniform, or if they are dressed in civilian clothes, by wearing a armband with the words "customs".
Please note
You can ask Customs officials to present their map called professional employment commission. This card must include elements describing their identity (name, photo, etc.).
They have to explain theobject control, i.e. the reasons for or context of the control.
Customs officers shall have the right to carry out body searches.
You must answer all questions that are relevant to the proper conduct of the inspection (place of origin, goods transported, etc.).
Customs officers check the following items and documents:
- Your identity papers
- Your luggage and goods carried
- Your vehicle
He is forbidden of refuse control.
The refusal to submit you to customs control is punished :
- a sentence of 1 year prison
- and €3,750 of fine.
Prohibited goods
He is forbidden to carry the following goods:
- Drugs
- Objects of forgery
- Animals and plants recognized as protected species
- Meat and milk
Goods authorized subject to conditions
The carriage of the following goods is authorized but according to specific conditions :
- Cash
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Pet
- Sensitive goods : weapon, plants and animals in danger of extinction, medicine, work of art, food
Infographie - Pass customs with peace of mind
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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.
Following 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
To learn more about the customs control process, you can visit the Customs website.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
All your questions by phone
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
Scope of action of the customs service
Right of access to goods, means of transport and persons
Border verification and presentation of identity documents
Control of titles
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