The moment you land in France, the romance of travel often hits a speed bump: Customs. Whether you are touching down at Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), or Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), the rules are enforced strictly.
Most travelers panic about the "Red Channel" (Goods to Declare) versus the "Green Channel" (Nothing to Declare). If you walk through the Green Channel with more than your allowance, ignorance is not an excuse—it is a fine. This guide gives you the hard limits so you can breeze through the exit.
Red Channel vs. Green Channel
The system is simple but strict.
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Green Channel: Use this ONLY if you are 100% sure you are within all duty-free limits listed below.
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Red Channel: Use this if you have any doubt, or if you are carrying items above the limits, commercial goods, or more than €10,000 in cash.
Strict Warning: Customs officers perform random spot checks on Green Channel travelers. If caught with undeclared items here, you face immediate confiscation and heavy fines.
Customs Limits & Allowances
These limits apply to passengers arriving from outside the European Union (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Asia). If you are arriving from another EU country, the rules are looser, but for safety, stick to these basics to avoid questioning.
