How much Gifts sent by post can I bring into France?
Allowed
You can bring Gifts sent by post into France without a special limit.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Value cap: 430 EUR
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- Extra conditions apply
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI)
Questions about Gifts sent by post in France
- How much gifts sent by post can I bring into France?
- France publishes no quantity limit for gifts sent by post carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare gifts sent by post at France customs?
- No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
- What happens if I do not declare gifts sent by post 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 gifts sent by post 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 gifts sent by post out of France?
- France publishes no separate rule for taking gifts sent by post out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the France limit for gifts sent by post 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 Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “En effet, vous n'avez pas à déclarer les marchandises (y compris les cadeaux) si leur valeur totale ou si leur quantité ne dépasse pas les franchises autorisées.”
- How does France compare with other countries on gifts sent by post?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts sent by post, 6 limit it and 14 let it through. France is among the more permissive.
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · 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) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects (DGDDI) — Franchises douanières et fiscales en quantités et en valeurs · verified 2026-09-19