Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at France customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of France?

France publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the France limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 Le transport de médicaments en France par des particuliers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does France compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 limit it and 1 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Controlled/prescription medicine can I bring into France?

Restricted

You can bring Controlled/prescription medicine into France only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

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

Last verified 2026-09-19

Le transport de médicaments en France par des particuliers Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI)

Questions about Controlled/prescription medicine in France

Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at France customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to France customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of France?: France publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the France limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 Le transport de médicaments en France par des particuliers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does France compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 limit it and 1 let it through. France is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China Germany

Other items in this group

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances Narcotic and psychotropic medicines