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Moving to France--What can we bring?

1406 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  GALLUS, 
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We are planning a move to France and we are wondering what we are allowed to bring as far as personal belongings. My husband has a lot of tools, including mechanics tools. Is he allowed to bring these? Can someone point me in the right direction where to find this information?
Also, do you know who I can contact to find out 100% on the gun regulations in France?

:) Thank you.
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Bevdeforges
This page from the Service Public site should get you started: Acquisition et détention d'armes - Service-public.fr (Service Public is a government site, so pretty authoritative as these things go.)

It also contains links to some of the necessary forms.

As far as general household items goes, there aren't too many restrictions (at least if you're bringing over the "usual" sorts of things.) Tools generally aren't a problem, unless they're electric - in which case you'll need a transformer in order to run them off the current here.

Most international movers have information sheets (sometimes available on their websites) with advice about what things do and don't move well between countries.
Cheers,
Bev
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rynd2it
ElfinLady29 said:
Also, do you know who I can contact to find out 100% on the gun regulations in France? :) Thank you.
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That will depend a lot on what kind of guns you are talking about. I brought my 12-gauge shotgun and the process was reasonably straight forward with some caveats.

Hand carrying your guns and checking them could be a problem because when you arrive you will not have the necessary permits and therefore won't clear customs. Ammunition is a definite no-no.

Mine was shipped but the moving company would not load it into the container until I had obtained advance customs clearance. That required getting a French permit which in turn required me to join a gun club and they issued the permit. Once I had the permit (they run annually from September) I then had to submit a customs declaration form which was then sent to the shipping company. Tedious but not challenging but I had to be in France with a permanent address to get it all done.

If you have other types of guns (hunting rifles, pistols etc) then I imagine the rules will be much tougher but as hunting is a national pastime it should still be possible. I'd start by finding a gun club close to where you plan on living and then contacting them for advice and possible permits.

Good luck
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G
rock n roll

Everything, you'll bring but
- no drugs and no weapons, possession is now extremely limited, carrying is banned and your consignement will be seized and you might end up in a large accomodation for free, with many other inmates
- no need to bring your 110 volts household equipments
- animals will be quarantained
- vehicles under restrictions (european made models ok)

You may want tio bring a good dose of patience, you'lle need it

and plenty of joy

Good luck
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rynd2it
GALLUS said:
Everything, you'll bring but
- no drugs and no weapons, possession is now extremely limited, carrying is banned and your consignement will be seized and you might end up in a large accomodation for free, with many other inmates
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Weapons are allowed subject to permits & customs, I had no problem

GALLUS said:
- vehicles under restrictions (european made models ok)
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Watch out for this my US model Mercedes did not qualify - check the thread "Bringing your car to France"

Cheers
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Bevdeforges
GALLUS said:
Everything, you'll bring but
- no drugs and no weapons, possession is now extremely limited, carrying is banned and your consignement will be seized and you might end up in a large accomodation for free, with many other inmates
- no need to bring your 110 volts household equipments
- animals will be quarantained
- vehicles under restrictions (european made models ok)

You may want tio bring a good dose of patience, you'lle need it

and plenty of joy

Good luck
Click to expand...
Hey, Gallus, long time no see! Good to have you back again.

One small quibble - animals are not quarantined on entry to France. You need a health certificate and vaccinations (particularly rabies) up to date, plus an EU standard chip. (There are two types of chips for animals in the US - one is EU standard, the other not.) Chances are their paperwork won't even be checked on entry - but you need to have it, just in case.
Cheers,
Bev
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N
Ivory

I was told by our movers that if you have any ivory, you'll need to get an import permit for it, even if it's antique, and been in the family for ages.
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G
precisions

Thanks Rynd2it

Yes 12 gauge will be now accepted if you are able to prove you have hunting licence.

Quarantine is for non conventional pets: insects, reptiles, mother in law, hyena. Class 1 dogs (list available on internet = attack dogs) banned.

Ivory is not banned is you can prove date of purchase is prior to international trade ban.
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