DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
For the duty free import customs clearance of your personal belongings in France the following documents will be required to clear it as a diplomatic shipment in France. We need to get all the below documents before the shipment arrives at port/airport:
- Diplomatic Franchise F3 Form STAMPED by the Embassy stamped by French Ministry of Foreign affairs (Original document required)
- If food & alcohol: F3 & F4 forms must be STAMPED by both Embassy & French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Original document required)
- A French detailed and valued (in euros) inventory (for each shipment), dated and signed on each page (copy attached for completion) indicating the used value of your goods.
- Proof of residence in France (for example an electricity or copy of your lease dated less than 3 months)
- Non resale certificate (Certificat de non cession) – see copy attached
- Copy of passport
- Alcohol list (see attached) (please note that alcohol needs to be mention on Formulaire 3 which allows customs to get diplomatic franchise for HHGDS + alcohol).
- Customer information document at destination
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- Used household goods duty-free if owned abroad for six months, if the owner is moving his principal residence to France, and the items arrive within one year from the arrival date reflected on the Change of Residence
- Regulations are different if the Customer is establishing a secondary residence
- If SECOND shipment anticipated, it must be stated at the time of the first importation
- Inheritance:
- Declaration from notary with inventory of goods, date of death, relationship & French Resident
- The goods must be shipped within one year from date of death
- Wedding presents:
- Marriage Certificate and French Resident Permit
- Goods must be shipped within one month of wedding
- Students
- Official attestation of attendance at school or university. The scholar's goods must be shipped within one month from date of registration at school or university.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Foreign citizens are permitted to import a motor vehicle duty-free as personal effects provided the owner has been living abroad for more than one year and that the vehicle has been owned for six months prior to import.
A vehicle that is imported from outside of the European Union is required to undergo a series of tests performed by the UTAC (www.utac.com) at a cost of approx. Euro 1,600. Headlights and tires must also comply with European standards and customers must check in advance of shipping to determine any costs they will incur in having the vehicle meet those standards.
The following documents are required for Customs Clearance:
- Purchase Invoice (original)
- Original title showing owner's name and vehicle serial number (original)
- Insurance Certificate from French insurer
- Registration Card (original)
- Plate numbers
- Copy of Inventory/Packing List (showing year, make, model, engine size/horse power and registration numbers)
Following customs clearance Form "846A" will be issued permitting the owner to drive the vehicle for 4 months (provided the car is insured). This period is intended to register the vehicle and secure a French title.
PETS
- Must be at least three months old
- Subject to quarantine
- Endangered species and exotic animals prohibited
- Pets should be accompanied by their owner with vaccination card and certificate of good health
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS
- Alcohol must be inventoried separately with brand name, type, amount, number of bottles, and value (Import License or Liquor License may be required)
- Tobacco products are allowed, but subject to duty or tax
- New items (less than six months old) are subject to tax if arriving from EEC countries or tax and duties if coming from other countries and must be documented with sales invoices
- Works of Art, oil paintings, sculptures, antiques, etc. should have Certificate of Authenticity
- Video tapes, fax machines, telex machines and books will be held temporarily by customs until necessary authorization is obtained for each item
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Paints, polishes, and cleaning solvents
- Drugs and narcotics
- Cigarettes and tobacco products
- Live plants
- Ivory, all animal skins
- Pornographic material
- Explosives & matches
- Guns, weapons and ammunition are highly regulated, and require various registrations and certificates and have the authorization from the French Defense Ministry (provide make, caliber, serial number and purpose)
- Some weapons strictly prohibited
- Do not ship with household goods
MISC
France does not allow trucks to operate on weekends and holidays. Weekend deliveries are not possible.