Do I have to declare spare (loose) lithium batteries at France customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to France customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries out of France?

France publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the France limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 Articles réglementés ou interdits en avion et en hélicoptère. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Par exemple certains articles autorisés en cabine sont interdits en soute (batteries au lithium seules ou de rechange et e-cigarettes notamment).”

How does France compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into France?

Restricted

You can bring Spare (loose) lithium batteries into France only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions Source: International baseline

Checked baggage Prohibited Source: International baseline

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

International baseline

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions

Checked baggage Prohibited

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
American Airlines	More permissive
All Nippon Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
Delta Air Lines	Stricter than the standard rule
easyJet	More permissive
Japan Airlines	More permissive
Korean Air	Stricter than the standard rule
Ryanair	Stricter than the standard rule
Turkish Airlines	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Articles réglementés ou interdits en avion et en hélicoptère Ministère de la Transition écologique

Questions about Spare (loose) lithium batteries in France

Do I have to declare spare (loose) lithium batteries at France customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to France customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries out of France?: France publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the France limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 Articles réglementés ou interdits en avion et en hélicoptère. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Par exemple certains articles autorisés en cabine sont interdits en soute (batteries au lithium seules ou de rechange et e-cigarettes notamment).”
How does France compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

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