Tobacco and alcohol customs allowances in France (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: From other EU states, French customs gives indicative levels of 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer. From outside the EU the duty-free quantities are 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits over 22%, 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Cigarettes from an EU state: allowance or guide level (pieces)Personal allowance for travellers | 800 pieces [1] |
| Spirits from an EU state: allowance or guide level (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 10 litres [2] |
| Wine from an EU state: allowance or guide level (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 90 litres [2] |
| Beer from an EU state: allowance or guide level (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 110 litres [2] |
| Cigarettes from outside the EU: duty-free allowance (pieces)Personal allowance for travellers | 200 pieces [3] |
| Spirits over 22% vol. from outside the EU: duty-free allowance (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 1 litres [3] |
| Still wine from outside the EU: duty-free allowance (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 4 litres [3] |
| Beer from outside the EU: duty-free allowance (litres)Personal allowance for travellers | 16 litres [3] |
Notes
- Indicative thresholds per person aged 18 or over, assessed per passenger; other criteria can lead customs to treat goods as commercial below them. Goods from French overseas departments follow the non-EU rules.
- Travellers aged 17 or over, imports into metropolitan France. Not cumulative across products; proportional mixing within the category is allowed. Cross-border workers have lower limits.
- Travellers aged 17 or over. 1 litre of spirits over 22%, or 2 litres of drinks up to 22%, or a proportional mix; still wine and beer come on top. Cross-border workers have lower limits.
Sources
- Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects: Achats transfrontaliers de tabacs : de nouvelles règles pour renforcer les contrôles (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects: Démarche : Vous rapportez de l'alcool acheté dans un pays de l'Union européenne (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects: Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.