CarryRules

How much Alcoholic beverages (all types) can I bring into France?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages (all types) into France only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage
Checked baggage
Declaration Above allowance
Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

  • No stated quantity
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler
  • Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Alcoholic beverages (all types) in France

Do I have to declare alcoholic beverages (all types) at France customs?
Yes — it has to be declared to France customs on arrival.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (all types) in France?
If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Code des douanes, article L. 513-3, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence. Under Code des douanes, article R. 515-5, 1°, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the goods are confiscated.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous rapportez du tabac, de l'alcool ou d'autres marchandises achetées hors de l'Union européenne · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship alcoholic beverages (all types) to France instead of carrying it?
Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — france postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20

Is there a minimum age for the alcoholic beverages (all types) allowance in France?
Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (all types) at all, not a smaller one.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous rapportez du tabac, de l'alcool ou d'autres marchandises achetées hors de l'Union européenne · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take alcoholic beverages (all types) out of France?
France publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (all types) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the France limit for alcoholic beverages (all types) apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19

Where does this rule come from?
Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) states it in Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19

How does France compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (all types)?
Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (all types), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.