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Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as CDG Airport, is located in France and services flights from around the world. The airport has three terminals, each with its own arrival hall, located in the public area after customs and baggage reclaim. Customs at CDG Airport can be found before security, and the time taken to get through customs can vary depending on the day, hour, and the number of flights arriving at the same time. It is important to note that if you are travelling to France, there are restrictions on what you can bring into the country, including counterfeit goods, drugs, and certain animal and plant species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Terminal 1, 2, 3) |
| Customs Contact | Email: [email protected], Tel: +33 1 72 40 78 50 |
| Customs Procedure | Passport scanned, baggage reclaim, customs declaration |
| Time Taken | Varies, can be 45 minutes to 2.5 hours |
| Duty-Free Allowance | 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, meat and dairy with veterinary documentation |
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What You'll Learn
Customs procedures for entering France
Location of Customs at CDG Airport
Each terminal at CDG Airport has its own arrival hall, located in the public area after customs and baggage reclaim. Airport monitors provide information on designated exits and meeting points, which are situated after the baggage reclaim area.
Passport and Visa Requirements
France requires travellers to have a valid passport with at least three months' validity remaining from the expected departure date from the country. U.S. citizens with valid passports travelling for tourism or business can enter France without a visa for up to 90 days within a six-month period. However, it is important to check the latest visa requirements and regulations on official government websites before travelling.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
French customs have strict regulations regarding prohibited and restricted items:
- Any type of drugs, including cannabis, are prohibited, and possession or carriage may result in criminal sanctions.
- Counterfeit goods are forbidden and will be seized by customs officers.
- Transporting endangered or protected animal or plant species listed by the CITES (Washington Convention) is prohibited. This includes items made from these species, such as ivory, tortoise shell, coral, and reptile skin.
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries are prohibited unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation. However, limited amounts are allowed from certain countries, including Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland.
- When bringing pets into France, they must be identifiable (through a tattoo or electronic identification), vaccinated against rabies, and have a health certificate.
Duty-Free Allowances
When entering France, travellers should be aware of duty-free allowances for various goods:
- Tobacco products: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco (within France and the EU). When travelling by land, the allowance is 40 cigarettes, 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, or 50 grams of smoking tobacco.
- Alcoholic beverages: 1 litre of spirits over 22% volume or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or liqueurs under 22% volume (within France and the EU). Different allowances apply when travelling from outside the EU or from frontier zones.
- Personal items: Non-commercial personal items up to a certain value, depending on the traveller's age and mode of transport.
Declaration of Cash, Securities, and Valuables
If travellers are in possession of cash, securities, or valuables totalling €10,000 or more (or its foreign currency equivalent), they must declare this to Customs when crossing the French border, regardless of their destination or return country.
Insurance and Documentation
All travellers to France must have an insurance certificate covering medical and hospital expenses, as well as medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death. Additionally, specific documentation may be required based on the purpose of the trip, such as evidence of citizenship, return tickets or financial means to acquire them, and details on the traveller's profession or capacity.
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Customs procedures for leaving France
Customs procedures when leaving France depend on whether you are travelling to another EU country or a non-EU country, and on the items you are carrying.
Travelling within the EU
If you are travelling from France to another EU country, there are no border formalities. However, you must complete an Intrastat Declaration.
Travelling to a non-EU country
If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you can buy goods free of duty and tax in "tax-free shops" at the airport.
Items you cannot take out of France
- Any meat or dairy products without official veterinary documentation if you are travelling to a non-EU country
- Any endangered animal or plant species or those that present a danger to the European ecosystem
- Drugs of any type, including cannabis
- Counterfeit goods
Items you can take out of France within specified limits
- 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco
- 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs that are less than 22% volume
Items you must declare
Cash, securities, or valuables equal to or greater than €10,000 or its foreign currency equivalent
Customs location at Charles de Gaulle Airport
Each terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport has its own arrival hall, located in the public area after customs and baggage reclaim.
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Prohibited items
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) has strict regulations on which items passengers may carry within their hand luggage. All passengers must pass through a metal detector before boarding, and all hand luggage will be X-ray screened. To make the inspection process faster and easier, passengers are advised to prepare themselves in advance by understanding the screening process.
Counterfeit goods are also prohibited, and customs officers will seize any such items. Customs fines are calculated based on the value of the genuine products that have been counterfeited. Passengers are strongly advised against accepting luggage from other travellers and against leaving their own luggage unattended.
In addition, restrictions apply to liquids, gels, and gas items, which must be stored separately in an airport-regulation plastic bag. Liquids of more than 100ml must be carried in checked baggage and presented separately from other carry-on items at security.
If passengers are in possession of cash, securities, or valuables of €10,000 or more (or the foreign currency equivalent), they must declare it to Customs when crossing the French border, regardless of their destination or return country.
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Duty-free allowances
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is one of the largest airports in Europe, with a wide range of shops and restaurants. Duty-free shopping is available in all three terminals of the airport: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Each terminal is divided into different sections, offering a variety of shopping options, from luxury brands to affordable souvenirs.
When it comes to duty-free allowances, there are specific regulations that passengers should be aware of. As a general rule, passengers are allowed to bring the following amounts of duty-free goods into France and the EU, provided they are for personal use and not for resale:
- 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco
- 1 litre of spirits or liqueurs over 22% volume, or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or liqueurs less than 22% volume
It is important to note that these allowances may vary for travellers heading to a non-EU country, and certain areas within the EU, such as the Canary Islands. In such cases, passengers can take advantage of tax-free shops in the airport.
When departing from CDG Airport, passengers can make duty-free and tax-free purchases based on their final destination. Duty-free items include cigarettes, tobacco, selected spirits, perfume, cosmetics, and confectionery. It is important to present your boarding pass when making these purchases. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the value or quantity of products sold to departing passengers from France or the EU. However, these goods may be subject to duty-free and tax-free allowances in the passenger's country of destination outside the EU.
For individuals carrying cash, securities, or valuables worth €10,000 or more (or its foreign currency equivalent), a declaration to Customs is mandatory when crossing the French border, regardless of the destination or origin country. Customs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport can be reached via email or telephone for further information.
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Queuing times
On average, it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to walk from the gate in Terminal 2E to the customs area, depending on the gate location and passenger flow. However, the actual processing time at customs can vary widely. Most passengers report that it takes them anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes to get through passport control, baggage claim, and customs clearance. During off-peak hours, it may be as quick as 30 minutes, but at peak times, such as early mornings with many long-haul flight arrivals, it can take up to 90 minutes or more.
Some travellers have reported even longer waiting times of 2 hours or more, especially during heavy traffic periods like Saturdays in late August when many French people are returning from vacation. On the other hand, during less busy periods, some passengers with EU passports have reported clearing customs in under 10 minutes, while others have experienced wait times of around 30 to 45 minutes.
It's worth noting that children cannot use the quick kiosks, so families with young children may need to join a different line or queue, which could further extend their overall waiting time.
To ensure a smooth journey through CDG Airport, it is recommended to allow at least 2 to 3 hours for connecting flights or onward travel to account for any potential delays at immigration, customs, or baggage retrieval. Each terminal at CDG Airport has its own arrival hall, located in the public area after customs and baggage reclaim, so it is important to verify the correct terminal and designated exit upon arrival.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the time of day and how many other flights have landed. The fastest time it has taken someone to get through is 45 minutes, while the longest is 2.5 hours.
Customs is located before security. Each terminal has its own arrival hall, which is located in the public area after customs and baggage reclaim.
After customs, you will proceed to baggage reclaim. Once you have collected your bags, you can exit the airport.
