How much Soil can I bring into France?
Prohibited
You cannot bring Soil into France.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission European Union — EUR-Lex
Questions about Soil in France
- How many soil can I bring into France?
- soil may not be brought into France at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare soil at France customs?
- There is nothing to declare — soil cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
- What happens if I do not declare soil 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 soil 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 soil out of France?
- France publishes no separate rule for taking soil out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the France limit for soil 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 Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does France compare with other countries on soil?
- Of the 19 countries covered here, 13 prohibit soil, 6 limit it and 0 let it through. France is among the strictest.
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission · 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) — Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Règlement d’exécution (UE) 2019/2072 de la Commission · verified 2026-09-19