Personal Effects

Disclaimer

Lynn Whitmore and the 180days team are not responsible for the accuracy of the information that has been provided by the Douane. We have no way of checking its veracity.

Introduction

The original list was created in 2021 based on information provide by the Douane by email.

These are general items that any tourist would be expected to need to take to France on holiday. The list is illustrative so comparable items will be considered in the same light within reason. Items you take under “personal effects” must not be for commercial reasons, for resale, for use in a business (e.g. a gite), or for reasons of emigration to France.

The Douane stated “Personal effects” are admitted free of import duties and taxes: they are all new or used articles that a traveller may reasonably need for personal use during his trip, taking into account all the circumstances of this trip, excluding any goods imported for commercial purposes. 

The following is an illustrative list of personal effects that are allowed duty-free:"

Indicative list of personal effects

The following is an illustrative list of personal effects that are admitted free of import duties and taxes:

1. Clothing.

2. Toiletries.

3. Personal jewellery worn or carried by the owner. For watches and jewellery of particular value (eg Rolex) proof of ownership documentation is required

4. Cameras and motion picture cameras with a reasonable amount of film and accessories.

5. Portable slide or film projection equipment and accessories, together with a reasonable quantity of slides or films.

6. Video cameras and portable video recording devices together with a reasonable quantity of tapes.

7. Portable musical instruments. These are personal effects of the musician for personal use and/or a concert attracting no customs formalities.

8. Portable phonographs, with records (we assume that this includes record players and similar personal music devices)

9. Portable sound recording and reproducing apparatus, including Dictaphones (with tapes).

10. Portable radio receivers (radios)

11. Portable television receivers (portable TVs)

12. Portable typewriters.

13. Portable calculating machines.

14. Laptop computers.

15. Binoculars.

16. Pushchairs and buggies

17. Wheelchairs for the disabled.

18. Mobile phones

19. Art materials, canvas, paint, paper, brushes 

20. Sewing machines and materials (wool, fabric, sewing threads etc) 

21. Sports equipment such as tents and other camping equipment, fishing gear, mountaineering equipment, diving equipment, hunting weapons with cartridges, bicycles without motors (non-electric cycles), canoes or kayaks less than 5.5 meters in length, skis, tennis rackets, surfboards, windsurfing boards, surfboards, sailboards, golf equipment, hang gliders, paragliders.

22. Portable dialysis machines and similar medical equipment and disposable items imported for use with such equipment.

23. Other items of an obviously personal nature.

Bicycles without motors are included in item 21, see note on e-bikes below 

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and the Douane reserves the right to use its own discretion. Be aware that the item has to be clearly for personal use and of a personal nature, thus excludes items such as furniture, paint, etc.

E-Bikes in France in 2023

When the personal effects list was compiled in 2021 it was not possible to verify the status of e-bikes 

Based on no reported difficulties ove the last 18 months would appear that if you travel with your e-bike from the UK into France then the Douane are not interested in it. We have no idea of the attitude on other EU countries.

The situation may be very different if you send your e-bike separately as this group of Welsh cyclists found to their cost in 2022 when they sent bikes in advance to Spain.