Customs: which products are prohibited to bring back to France?

Verified 24 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

He is forbidden entry in France with drugs, counterfeits, some plants and animals. Other products, such as weapons, the fruit and vegetables, the live animals or the works of art in particular, are subject to a strict regulation. In case of non-compliance, you expose yourself to sanctions.

We present you the rules concerning the main products. But this list is not limiting. If necessary, ask for information from Infos Douane Service.

Who shall I contact

  • Information Customs Service

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By phone

     0,800 94 40 40

    Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm

    Toll-free number, price of a local call

    Outside the city or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By courier

    Access to contact form

Legislation varies depending on from the country you've come from  : from theEuropean Union or another area (outside the EU or overseas).

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You have just returned from an EU country

You can bring back food products, at 2 conditions :

  • that they are intended for the consumption,
  • and that the quantities correspond to one personal use.

There are, however, special rules for certain products and depending on certain countries.

You can inquire atCustoms Service Info or the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (VEPIS):

Who shall I contact

  • Information Customs Service

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By phone

     0,800 94 40 40

    Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm

    Toll-free number, price of a local call

    Outside the city or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By courier

    Access to contact form

You are returning from a non-EU country or overseas

The introduction into France of food products from a non-EU countryEuropean Union or from overseas territories is very controlled.

All food fromanimal origin are prohibited :

  • Meat
  • Meat products
  • Dairy products.

Please note

Some exceptions exist for the introduction of small quantities of products (e.g. from Greenland or the Faroe Islands). For the full list, you can consult the Customs website.

For the introduction of all fruits and vegetables, you must present a phytosanitary certificate obtained from the country of origin.

FYI  

Only bananas, coconuts, durian, dates and pineapples are allowed to enter France unlimited quantity and without certificate phytosanitary.

Pet

You need to check that your animal is allowed to enter France. For example, some dogs are banned from entering France.

Most pets must be vaccinated and chips (or tattooed), and possess a European identification passport.

For these steps, you must consult a veterinarian :

Protected animal species, threatened with extinction

He is prohibited to bring back a endangered protected animal or dangerous to the ecosystem.

Parts of dead animals (teeth, shells, skin...) are also protected and prohibited from entering France.

The following animal species are protected: turtle, chimpanzee, squirrel, hedgehog, wolf, bear, lynx, aspic viper.

If you wish to bring back to France a non-domestic animal listed as a protected species, you must ask one authorization. The list of protected species is available on the i-CITES application:

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Before your departure, you have to make a certificate request d'export andimporting (in France) since country of origin :

Application for Export Permits and Re-export Certificates (CITES)

Application for Permit and Import Certificate (CITES)

FYI  

It is advisable to make your permit application and export and import licenses several weeks (1 to 4 weeks of processing time) before import in France.

For any question about a particular case, you should contact your CITES interlocutor which is different depending on your region:

Who shall I contact

The transport of animal species is controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES.

You risk up to 3 years imprisonment and €150,000 fine if you do not present permit or certificate CITES for the holding of such products or animals.

Warning  

Products of protected animal species may be illegally sold abroad (ivory jewelry, clothing in python skin). You risk it confiscation items at customs, a high fine and a sentence of prison.

Legislation varies depending on from the country you've come from  : from theEuropean Union or another area.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You are traveling to an EU country

You travel with your own weapon
Sports shooting, hunting, historical reconstruction

You can travel with your weapon without a transfer permit to condition that the transport pattern corresponds to theone of the following 3 uses :

  • Sports shooting (of which the ball-trap)
  • Participation in a historical reconstruction
  • Hunting

You must then possess the european firearms card.

You must also submit a document supporting document of the use of your weapon: a sporting federation certificate, a collector card or a hunting license.

FYI  

You risk 2 years of prison and €30,000 fine if you are unable to provide a document to support your use.

Other reason for transport

If you are traveling with your weapon for any purpose other than shooting, hunting or participating in a historical re-enactment, you must apply for a transfer permit to the Customs Department.

This transfer permit application must be accompanied by a prior introduction agreement issued by the country of destination.

These requests can be made via the service online Customs called e-APS Online service:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of transfer of arms for private individuals

If you don't want to use the online service, you can download, fill and return the 2 forms to the Customs Directorate:

Apply for a license to transfer firearms and ammunition to a European country

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Who shall I contact

You could face a sentence of 2 years prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a Category C or unlicensed ammunition. You face a sentence of 7 years in prison and €100,000 fine if you are traveling with a weapon of categories A and B.

FYI  

If you do not respect the rules of carrying and transporting a weapon, you also risk penalties and fines even if your authorization to detain is in order. To learn more you can consult our content on carrying and transporting a weapon.

You bring back a weapon acquired during a trip

If you wish to bring a weapon back to France with or without ammunition, you must ask one import authorization.

For this, you can use the service online next:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of transfer of arms for private individuals

If you do not wish to use the online service, you can use the forms and send them to the Customs Directorate:

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Application for Authorization to Import War Materials, Weapons and Ammunition

Who shall I contact

You could face a sentence of 2 years prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a Category C or unlicensed ammunition. You face a sentence of 7 years in prison and €100,000 fine if you are traveling with a categories A and B.

FYI  

If you do not respect the rules of carrying and transporting a weapon, you also risk penalties and fines even if your authorization to detain is in order. To learn more you can consult our content on carrying and transporting a weapon.

You are returning from another country (outside the EU)

You bring back a weapon for sport, hunting or a collectible weapon

You must know the category (A, B, C or D) to which your weapon belongs.

If your gun belongs to the category C (sport shooting, hunting or collectible weapon), you must provide Customs officers with a minutes d'expertise.

This document is provided by the service of the National Test Bench.

Before any trip, you must ensure that you have this expert report proving that your weapon has been tested. It is advisable to do this examination at least every 30 years.

THEtest of any weapon is mandatory, whether or not you're carrying it on a trip. It serves to prove its resistance and the safety of the user.

You must send your weapon to this department. Following this examination, your weapon is punched, certified and registered.

Who shall I contact

  • National Test Bench

    Postal address

    National Test Bench

    Industrial Zone Molina La Chazotte

    5 rue de Méons - CS 40147

    42004 Saint-Étienne cedex 1

    Mail

    info@banc-epreuve.fr

You risk 2 years of prison and €30,000 fine if you are not able to submit the report of expertise of your weapon if it is a Category C weapon (7 years in prison and €100,000 fine if it is a category A and B weapon).

You're bringing a gun for another reason

You must ask one import authorization.

For this, you can use the following online service:

e-APS Online service: request for authorization of transfer of arms for private individuals

If you do not wish to use the online service, you can use the following forms and send them to the Customs Directorate:

Prior agreement for the transfer of firearms and ammunition

Application for Authorization to Import War Materials, Weapons and Ammunition

Who shall I contact

You risk a sentence of:

  • 2 years of prison and one fine of €30,000 if you are traveling with a Category C or unlicensed ammunition
  • 7 years in prison and €100,000 fine if you are traveling with a categories A and B.

Hold, transport in his luggage or bring in in France products of counterfeiting is illegal.

These products may be dangerous for the health of users. Indeed, the substances that make up their manufacture are not verified.

Counterfeiting concerns all types of objects: toys, clothing, leather goods, glasses, medicine, household appliances, spare parts, cigarettes, perfume, cosmetic products, software, music, computers, mobile phones, etc.

If you have a counterfeit item during a customs inspection, it is a offense.

You then have to pay a fine between 1 and 2 times the value of the object (not counterfeit).

You may also be sentenced to 3 years of prison and €300,000 of a fine.

Hold, transport or bring in in France of narcotics is illegal.

A narcotic is a drug unlawful.

Possessing or importing drugs is a offense.

You risk a fine of €7.5 million and 10 years from prison.

Please note

Some drugs can be taken as medicine. The quantities must then correspond to one personal use. If you come back from a countries outside the Schengen area, you must present theprescription medical.

In case of doubt, you can contact the National Agency for Medicines Safety (ANSM).

You must define the category of drugs you are carrying.

There are 2 categories:

  • Medicines of the family of narcotics (methadone and morphine for example)
  • Regular medicines that are not considered drugs.

The entry into France of narcotic drugs follows different rules from those for other drugs.

Please note

Whatever the situation, it is prudent to go on a trip with your doctor's prescription to make it easier to justify the transport of medicines.

The regulations differ depending on the type of drug:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Drug considered narcotic (example: methadone, morphine)

Legislation varies depending on from the country you've come from : from an EU countrySchengen area or another area.

You are returning from a Schengen Member State

The quantity of drugs transported must be one personal use and for the duration of treatment (maximum 3 months).

During a customs inspection, you must present:

  • or theprescription the doctor corresponding to the medicines,
  • or one certificate medical administrative obtained from the Regional Health Agency.
Who shall I contact
You are returning from a non-Schengen country

The quantity of drugs transported must be one personal use and for the duration of treatment (maximum 3 months).

You must present theprescription from your doctor to the supervisory authorities.

Other medicine

The amount of medication you carry must be one personal use and to the duration from treatment or 3 months of maximum treatment.

At customs, a prescription of the doctor is not necessary.

However, as a precaution, it is recommended have a valid prescription (less than 3 months) with you.

Warning  

If your treatment requires traveling with needles, syringes or pens injectors, it is advisable to hold a medical certificate. You should ask your doctor who writes it. Customs control is then easier if you can present a medical certificate to the authorities.

The import of works of art and cultural goods into France is subject to strict controls by Customs.

He is prohibited to bring into France a cultural object or a work of art without having obtained a exit authorization from the country of origin.

Customs distinguish 2 categories of works of art with separate controls :

  • Work of art of national interest subject toinventory considered as national treasure (work belonging to a museum or foundation)
  • Work of art considered as cultural property (all those not belonging to the National Treasury)

Please note

Customs control is carried out to combat trafficking in cultural property illegally removed from the country of origin.

For learn more, you can consult the Customs website on the import of cultural goods.

In the event that a work of art is transported by its author, national and European accompanying documents are not required. With regard to customs formalities, a simplified procedure detailed inventory is planned. Inquire with your customs office.

Who shall I contact

  • Information Customs Service

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By phone

     0,800 94 40 40

    Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm

    Toll-free number, price of a local call

    Outside the city or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By courier

    Access to contact form

If you are unable to present an exit authorization from the country of origin, you may 2 years of prison and €450,000 of a fine.

You have no right to own or transport an object comprising a image of a pedophile nature. This is about any pornographic representation of a young person or minor child.

You may be subject to sanctions if Customs discovers this type of object in your possession during an inspection.

This is an offense punishable by a penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of €75,000.

Certain substances minerals or chemical are defined as dangerous.

The following products that include any of these substances in their components of manufacture are prohibited for entry into France:

  • Product containing lead salts (imitation beads) or nickel (jewelry, button, zipper)
  • Bottle or toy containing bisphenol A
  • Products containingasbestos or asbestos fibers.

To know the regulations on the products you want to import in France and any prior authorizations, you can contact Product Contact Point of the General Directorate for Enterprise (DGE), for individuals and companies.

Who shall I contact

In case of non-declaration or false statement, you may be sentenced to 2 years of prison and €75,000 of a fine.

Depending on the nature of the product, the penalty (fine and prison) is different:

  • Asbestos: fine €1,500
  • Bottle (containing bisphenol A): 3 years in prison and €3,750 of a fine.

Transported goods may be confiscated.

The approach is different if you come back from a European Union (EU) countries or from a third country (outside the EU):

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You have just returned from an EU country

You can bring back plants intended for planting, provided that the quantities correspond to one personal use.

Warning  

However, some plants are prohibited, such as, for example, the feet of cannabis. Check with the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (SIVEP) or the customs services.

Who shall I contact

  • Information Customs Service

    To obtain customs information concerning export, import, customs forms, transport and border crossing, exemptions...

    By phone

     0,800 94 40 40

    Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm

    Toll-free number, price of a local call

    Outside the city or from the foreigner, dial +33 1 72 40 78 50

    By courier

    Access to contact form

You are returning from a non-EU country

You must know whether the species is transported threatened with extinction or not and therefore protected or not by regulation (CITES Convention). For this, you can use thesearch tool next:

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Unprotected plant species

The introduction into the European Union of plants intended for planting is very controlled.

You have to ask for a phytosanitary certificate from 1er specimen transported.

The request must be made before your departure, from the country of origin of the goods.

It must be sent to the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service (SIVEP):

Protected plant species

If you wish to bring back to France a specimen listed as a protected plant species, you must ask one authorization.

The list of protected species is available on thei-CITES application :

Research on plant and animal species protected by the CITES Convention

Example :

The following species are protected: Mexican cedar, coral, ivory, orchid, cactus.

Before your departure, you have to make a certificate request d'export andimporting (in France) since country of origin.

Application for Permit and Import Certificate (CITES)

Application for Export Permits and Re-export Certificates (CITES)

FYI  

It is advisable to make your permit application and export and import licenses several weeks (1 to 4 weeks of processing time) before import in France.

For any question about a particular case, you should contact your CITES interlocutor which is different depending on your region:

Who shall I contact

The transport of plant species is controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES.

FYI  

You risk up to 3 years imprisonment and €150,000 fine if you do not present a CITES permit or certificate for the possession of these protected products or plants.

Items offered as gifts (jewelry, watches, art objects, accessories, etc.), including on the occasion of a wedding or family event, are not exempt from customs rules.

They may be subject to:

  • prohibitions (e.g. certain weapons, protected species, counterfeits),
  • specific formalities (certificates, authorizations, customs declaration),
  • duties and taxes above a certain value threshold, particularly if the gift is new or of significant value.

If you enter France from a country outside the European Union, the customs exemption for personal goods (including gifts) is limited to €430 per major traveler (€300 for children under 15).

In case of doubt, it is recommended to declare the items to customs upon arrival, in order to avoid seizure or possible penalties.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

FAQ