How much Meat and fish can I bring into France?
Restricted
You can bring Meat and fish into France only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 20 kilogram (44.09 lb)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale Direction générale des Douanes et Droits indirects (DGDDI)
Questions about Meat and fish in France
- How much meat and fish can I bring into France?
- France allows 20 kilograms of meat and fish 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 meat and fish at France customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 20 kilograms of meat and fish 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 meat and fish 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 meat and fish 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 meat and fish out of France?
- France publishes no separate rule for taking meat and fish out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the France limit for meat and fish 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: “Viandes, lait et produits à base de viande et de lait | Interdit | Autorisé jusqu'à 10 kg Produits de la pêche frais, éviscérés ou préparés ou transformés | Autorisé jusqu'à 20 kg | Illimité”
- How does France compare with other countries on meat and fish?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit meat and fish, 15 limit it and 2 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale · verified 2026-09-19
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
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — france postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Vous recevez par colis ou transportez dans vos bagages des produits d'origine animale · verified 2026-09-19