Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at France customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of France?

France publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the France limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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. The sentence it rests on reads: “Principe : la quantité transportée correspond à la durée du traitement prévue sur l'ordonnance ou, à défaut, à trois mois de traitement.”

How does France compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 let it through. France is among the more permissive.

How much External-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into France?

Allowed

You can bring External-use medicine (personal use) into France without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

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 External-use medicine (personal use) in France

Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at France customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of France?: France publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the France limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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. The sentence it rests on reads: “Principe : la quantité transportée correspond à la durée du traitement prévue sur l'ordonnance ou, à défaut, à trois mois de traitement.”
How does France compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 let it through. France is among the more permissive.

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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)

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