Customs Requirements For Entry To France

expat network

Customs Requirements For Entry To France

Household and personal goods may be shipped into France from another European Union (EU) country without customs formalities, although an inventory must be presented.

A non-EU resident planning on moving to France is also allowed furniture and personal effects free of duty, provided the items have be owned and used for at least six months previously. VAT must be paid on items owned for less than six months and purchased in non-EU countries, while a VAT receipt will be required for those purchased within the EU. You have up to 12 months to complete the shipment of your personal goods, beyond which time VAT will be payable on anything you bring in.

Restricted items

Items subject to restriction or prohibition fall into the following categories: animal products; plants; wild fauna and flora and derived products; live animals; medicines, except prescription items; firearms and ammunition; military-use goods; works of art and collectors’ items.

Restricted: Prescribed (with documentation) and over-the-counter medication for personal use, camera equipment, film, jewellery, and tobacco are not permitted in unaccompanied baggage without an import permit. Alcohol may be subject to quantity limitations.

Some sporting/recreational firearms require a permit, depending upon the intended resident status of the incoming owner. Consult your nearest French embassy, consulate, or hunting/sporting association for additional information.

Prohibited:

Meat and meat products from Africa
More than 1kg of animal products, 2kg of salt- or fresh-water products, 5kg of vegetable products
Illegal drugs
Pirated editions of copyrighted works
Thermometers containing mercury
Firearms and explosives other than those permitted for hunting or shooting practice.

Information courtesy of Living Abroad, www.livingabroad.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.