Customs services only

UK ↔ France customs clearance & documentation

Customs paperwork only — no transport or removals included.

In short

Goods moving between Great Britain and France cross an EU external border. Expect a UK export declaration, an EU import declaration handled by French Customs (DGDDI – Douane), a safety and security filing for the transport and — where goods travel through other EU countries first — often a T1 transit document.

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Customs authority

French Customs (DGDDI – Douane)

Currency for duty/VAT

Euro (EUR)

Typical UK freight route

Most UK road freight enters via Calais, Dunkirk or Eurotunnel (Coquelles).

What is specific to France

UK → France: the usual customs steps

  1. UK export declaration on HMRC's Customs Declaration Service — see UK export clearance.
  2. Safety and security (ENS) lodged in the EU's ICS2 system before arrival — see ENS vs GMR.
  3. Transit (if needed) — when goods enter the EU in another country, a T1 can carry them to a France customs office — see T1 transit.
  4. EU import declaration in France, with EU duty (common tariff) and France import VAT, or a duty relief claim — see EU customs from the UK.
  5. EORI — businesses normally need an EU EORI; a GB EORI is not valid for EU declarations — see EORI numbers.

France → UK: importing into Great Britain

Goods leaving France need an EU export declaration, and on arrival in Great Britain a UK import declaration, a safety and security declaration and — for road freight via GVMS ports — a Goods Movement Reference (GMR). People moving their home to the UK may be able to claim duty and VAT relief with Transfer of Residence (ToR01). Business shipments are covered in commercial goods customs and UK import clearance.

Personal belongings

  • Itemised, numbered inventory with values
  • Passport / ID and proof of new residence in France
  • Evidence of previous residence outside the EU
  • Relief application under France's national procedure, where applicable

Indicative list — French Customs (DGDDI – Douane) sets the exact requirements.

Commercial goods

  • Commercial invoice and packing list
  • Commodity codes and customs value
  • Origin evidence if claiming UK–EU preferential duty
  • EU EORI of the importer (or indirect representative)
  • Licences/certificates for controlled goods (food, plants, excise goods)

UK–France customs FAQ

Do I need customs clearance when moving goods from the UK to France?

Yes. Since 1 January 2021 the UK is outside the EU customs union, so goods sent from Great Britain to France normally need a UK export declaration and an EU import declaration handled under French Customs (DGDDI – Douane) rules, plus a safety and security (ENS) filing for the transport.

Can I bring personal belongings to France without paying duty?

EU rules allow relief from import duty and VAT for personal property when you transfer your normal residence into the EU, subject to conditions such as prior residence outside the EU and ownership/use of the goods. French Customs (DGDDI – Douane) decides each application, so check its current conditions and documents before shipping.

Which customs authority deals with imports into France?

French Customs (DGDDI – Douane). Its official website is https://www.douane.gouv.fr. EU import duty is set by the common EU tariff, while import VAT and some procedures are national.

What currency is used for duty and VAT in France?

Euro (EUR). Customs values declared in other currencies are converted using official exchange rates.

Does MoveQuoteLocal clear customs in France itself?

No. MoveQuoteLocal is not a licensed customs broker. Our own team reviews customs-only enquiries and, only with your agreement, helps you reach a qualified customs intermediary. Nothing is passed automatically to a third party.

Official sources

How MoveQuoteLocal can help

MoveQuoteLocal is not a licensed customs broker or authorised customs representative. Send a customs-only enquiry and our own team reviews it — nothing is passed automatically to another company. Only with your agreement do we help you reach a qualified customs intermediary. General information, not legal or tax advice.

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