France Visa & Customs Procedure

A valid passport is required of all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals entering France. No visa is needed for American visitors staying less than 90 days, unless you are a student planning to study in France. For longer stays, you must apply for a temporary-stay visa, long-term visa or residence card.

If you are a non US citizen and would like to travel to France, Monaco, or to an Overseas Department or Territory, according to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay, a visa may be required before departure. To find out whether or not you need to apply for a visa, visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site. Then, contact the Consulate near you to verify the requirements and obtain the amount of the visa fee before sending or bringing in your application.

Customs Regulations
French customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from France of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, sales samples, and other items. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of France or one of its consulates in your country for specific information regarding customs requirements.

French customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information, please telephone (212) 354-4480, or send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.

U.S. Customs
Returning U.S. citizens who have been in France more than two days can bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty-free. For those who wish to bring more of France back home with them, a flat rate of 10% duty is levied on the next $1000 worth of purchases (the duty-free limit in gifts is $100). It's a good idea to retain the receipts from your purchases should they be requested by a Customs Inspector upon your return to the United States.