How much Used household goods (relocation) can I bring into France?
Allowed
You can bring Used household goods (relocation) into France without a special limit.
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
- Démarche : Vous souhaitez connaître les franchises applicables lors du transfert de votre résidence principale en France Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects
Questions about Used household goods (relocation) in France
- Do I have to declare used household goods (relocation) at France customs?
- No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
- What happens if I do not declare used household goods (relocation) 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 used household goods (relocation) 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 used household goods (relocation) out of France?
- France publishes no separate rule for taking used household goods (relocation) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the France limit for used household goods (relocation) 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 souhaitez connaître les franchises applicables lors du transfert de votre résidence principale en France. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Sont admis en franchise vos biens personnels utilisés à titre privé depuis au moins 6 mois avant le transfert de résidence, et acquis indifféremment, toutes taxes comprises ou hors taxes.”
- How does France compare with other countries on used household goods (relocation)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit used household goods (relocation), 7 limit it and 13 let it through. France is among the more permissive.
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Démarche : Vous souhaitez connaître les franchises applicables lors du transfert de votre résidence principale en France · 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) — Démarche : Vous souhaitez connaître les franchises applicables lors du transfert de votre résidence principale en France · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Démarche : Vous souhaitez connaître les franchises applicables lors du transfert de votre résidence principale en France · verified 2026-09-19