Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Packing list in French
- Certificate of change of residence / moving certificate
- Original bill of lading (OBL) – no express release accepted / air waybill (AWB)
- Original inventory in French date, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Invoices for electrical and hi-fi appliances
- Invoices for items bought less than 6 months prior to import
- Residence / work permit / letter of employment
- Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell personal effects)
- Insurance certificate
- Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) / Cargo Tracking Note (CTN)
Specific Information
- Agent must receive documents at least 15 days prior to arrival of the shipment to obtain the duty-free exemption certificate.
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty free if they have been in the owner of the goods’ possession and used for at least 6 months (must not be in new packaging).
- Shipments are subject to inspection by Customs.
- A refrigerator, stove, freezer, computer, television and VCR can be imported tax free if only one of each item; additional quantities will be taxed.
- Satellite dishes are considered to be luxury items and are therefore taxed by Customs.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Original registration card
- OBL / AWB
- Non-sale certificate (must state that the owner of the goods will not sell automobiles within 2 years of importation)
- Certificate of change of residence / letter of transfer
- Purchase invoice
- Insurance certificate
Specific Information
- Motor vehicles older than 8 years cannot be imported.
- Agent must receive copies of the required documents to avoid any delays, demurrage and storage charges due to the lengthy Customs procedures for vehicles.
- The following motor vehicles cannot be imported:
- Personal vehicles more than 5 years old.
- Vehicles transporting goods not exceeding 3.5 tons or more and is more than 5 years old.
- Vehicles transporting goods exceeding 3.5 tons or more and is more than 10 years old.
- Motorcycles and vehicles of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination record
- Veterinary health certificate
Specific Information
- The vaccination record must show a rabies vaccination no less than 1 month to and no more than 6 months prior to import.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Washing products and detergents enough for one month only are permitted.
- Alcohol (“Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and is duty free (10 bottles).
- Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from territorial administration is required)
- The following items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
- Cigarettes (200), cigars (50)
- Tobacco or tobacco products for tourists and persons over 18 years old only (250 g)
- Meat and poultry products (phytosanitary certificate and dioxin free certificate are required)
- Weapons and war ammunition (excludes collector’s items)
Prohibited Items
- Unlawful drugs
- Pornographic materials
- Filament lamps
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.