Do I have to declare infant milk and special medical food at France customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 2 kilograms of powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare infant milk and special medical food 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 infant milk and special medical food 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.

Can I take infant milk and special medical food out of France?

France publishes no separate rule for taking infant milk and special medical food out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the France limit for infant milk and special medical food 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 Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Lait en poudre pour nourrissons, aliments pour nourrissons et denrées alimentaires spéciales requises pour des raisons médicales | Autorisé jusqu'à 2 kg | Autorisé jusqu'à 10 kg”

How does France compare with other countries on infant milk and special medical food?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit infant milk and special medical food, 9 limit it and 11 let it through. France is among the more permissive.

How much infant milk and special medical food can I bring into France?

Official classification: Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons

Restricted

You can bring infant milk and special medical food into France only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 2 kilogram

What you need to know

2 kilogram (4.41 lb)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale Direction générale des Douanes et Droits indirects (DGDDI)

Questions about Infant milk and special medical food in France

How much infant milk and special medical food can I bring into France?: France allows 2 kilograms of powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare infant milk and special medical food at France customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2 kilograms of powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare infant milk and special medical food 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 infant milk and special medical food 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.
Can I take infant milk and special medical food out of France?: France publishes no separate rule for taking infant milk and special medical food out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the France limit for infant milk and special medical food 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 Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Lait en poudre pour nourrissons, aliments pour nourrissons et denrées alimentaires spéciales requises pour des raisons médicales | Autorisé jusqu'à 2 kg | Autorisé jusqu'à 10 kg”
How does France compare with other countries on infant milk and special medical food?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit infant milk and special medical food, 9 limit it and 11 let it through. France is among the more permissive.

Related countries

Australia Canada China Germany

Quick facts

Jurisdiction: France
Travel mode: Air

Freshness

Last verified: 2026-09-19
Next review: 2026-12-17

Destination

FR France

All France rules

Other items in this group

Farm and food products rules for France Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products rules for France Cut flowers and wreaths rules for France Eggs rules for France Fish and other fishery products rules for France Agency-controlled food, plant and animal products rules for France