Duty Free in France

On June 30 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all 15 EU member states.

Although there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another, (with the exceptions of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, where limits are imposed), travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.

The following goods may be imported into France without incurring customs duty by passengers 17 years and over arriving from non-EU countries:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco;
• 1l of spirits more than 22 per cent or 2l of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent;
• 2l of wine;
• 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette;
• goods up to the value of euro183 (euro91 per person under 15 years of age).

The following items are restricted:

• Plants and plant products;
• meat and meat products from Africa;
• pharmaceutical products (except those needed for personal use);
• works of art, collectors’ items and antiques.