goldenage Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Hi all,I'm considering buying a holiday home in France and using it for six months of the year (taking into account the annoying 90/180 days rolling rule) but I'm a little confused about customs declarations when moving between countries. What exactly am I allowed to take? I believe there's a customs threshold of 300 euros - but an average person's luggage could contain that much value in one item - a watch for instance. Can I take a few tins of paint and some cleaning wipes as long as they don't cost more than 300 euros? It's quite confusing. What is and isn't counted towards this limit?Many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Best look on the french customs site.These are things that are all 'new' so unless someone has done exactly that, their homework, it will probably be difficult for anyone to answer.There you go,live linkhttps://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/brexit-particuliers-et-voyageurs-preparez-vous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenage Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 Thanks for that. It says: "If the value of the products contained in your personal baggageexceeds € 1,200:• you can justify the «United Kingdom» origin of yourproducts by presenting a certificate (see trade andcooperation agreement): no tax is due• you cannot justify the «United Kingdom» origin: yourproducts will be taxed at the applicable rate."So as long as the items in my luggage are worth under 1200 euros it's fine (how they will determine the value of a bag full of shirts and trousers I have no idea). BUT, even if the value exceeds 1200 euros, as long as I can demonstrate that the items are of UK origin then there is also no duty to pay. Now need to work out what the mysterious "certificate" is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickP Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Before the EU I often travelled between Europe and the UK plus other countries, no customs officer ever asked the value of personal clothes or items, OK if you had a very expensive Camera it was wise to carry a receipt to show that it was bought in your country of origin. There is a lot of nonsense advice on some forums and social media sites. Mainly they are looking for goods that you might sell on or certain food items. Just use common sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 We spent up to 6 months a year in France at our apartment, with the justification given by a British law company offering help of various types for those buying/moving to France, at a cost, of course. The advice was that if your main source of income and main centre of life was in the UK, the time we spent in France was allowed.Taking the 90/180 days, we believe that we can no longer stay for that amount of time and should apply for a visa to be able to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenage Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 Thanks for your reply. It will be tricky to make the 90/180 periods work but it's doable, and I explicitly want to remain tax resident in the UK so want to be in the UK for just over six months of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenage Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 That's what I would have expected certainly, but you read such bizarre stories of customs officers being overly officious. All I'd really want to do is take over (for personal use) certain items that are noticeably cheaper in the UK, and more readily available. Farrow and Ball paint, for instance, is often on 3 for 2 offers in the UK where you can get a tin for around £30. It costs nearly 100 euros for the same tin in France. I suppose if I take them in batches, never exceeding the 1200 euro limit, then there shouldn't be a problem (if I have receipts etc). I just don't want to be caught out and slapped with a bill for random items unexpectedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 And don't think that it may just be french officials who act in such a fasion.In 1984 my parents visited and my mother remained for a further week or so, my Dad had to get home for work.My mother had seen a porcelain double kitchen sink and bought it and my Dad was taking it back in the car.He was stopped at Dover, how much was it, etc etc. He had not a clue andsaid that it was just something left over from my having the house built....... no phones etc then they asked if it cost over £100 said that I was a cheapskate and it wouldn't have been.It had been a lot more than that, and I am sure that IF he had had the bill would have been billed with import taxes.So just be cautious with what you take in either direction. I have had other things happen with customs in both countries, never charged any money, but stopped and questioned never the less.AND that's just the way it will be.If you are really worried, do what I did prior to our move to France, contact the French Embassy in London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritinBretagne Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 A lot of my school friends joined the merchant navy. They often signed off in exotic places like Hong Kong or Singapore and regularly brought expensive electrical gear from there back with them. Upon entering the U.K. the customs officers would casually suggest that these items would no doubt be leaving the country when they did and no duty would be charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP 53011 Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 On 22/03/2021 at 15:40, Gardengirl said: We spent up to 6 months a year in France at our apartment, with the justification given by a British law company offering help of various types for those buying/moving to France, at a cost, of course. The advice was that if your main source of income and main centre of life was in the UK, the time we spent in France was allowed. Taking the 90/180 days, we believe that we can no longer stay for that amount of time and should apply for a visa to be able to do so. I had some troubles to get new visa to extend my holidays. I'll try your tips. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teapot1 Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Care to expand on the problems as covid willing we may want to stay for an extended period in 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betise Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Teapot, if your question is for JP 53011, he was only posting to advertise some kind of lamp (link now removed). I somehow doubt he'll be back ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teapot1 Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Thanks, I didnt see that, maybe I need that lamp ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattymaloudy Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Hello fellow redditors! So I'll be travelling to France pretty soon for a week-long stay, and I would like to know what sort of customs, cultural practices, behaviors, mannerisms, etc. I should be aware of. I have been trying to learn the French language, but I want to be sure I am at least partially acquainted with the culture and societal norms insofar as they differ from my own (American). Anything I should know before my trip? http://www.kitchensinn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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