What happens if I do not declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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.

Can I post or ship spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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.

Is there a minimum age for the spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) allowance in France?

Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at all, not a smaller one.

Where does this rule come from?

Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) states it in Démarche : Vous rapportez du tabac, de l'alcool ou d'autres marchandises achetées hors de l'Union européenne. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “soit boissons titrant plus de 22° : 1 litre, soit boissons titrant 22° ou moins : 2 litres.”

How does France compare with other countries on spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer), 10 limit it and 9 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) can I bring into France?

Restricted

You can bring Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) into France only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

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

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Démarche : Vous rapportez du tabac, de l'alcool ou d'autres marchandises achetées hors de l'Union européenne Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI)

Questions about Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) in France

Do I have to declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at France customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to France customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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.
Can I post or ship spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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.
Is there a minimum age for the spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) allowance in France?: Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out of France?: France publishes no separate rule for taking spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the France limit for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) states it in Démarche : Vous rapportez du tabac, de l'alcool ou d'autres marchandises achetées hors de l'Union européenne. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “soit boissons titrant plus de 22° : 1 litre, soit boissons titrant 22° ou moins : 2 litres.”
How does France compare with other countries on spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer), 10 limit it and 9 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China Germany

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV