Sophia Antipolis - What is not allowed

Certain products from the European Community and some third world countries are subject to restrictions. You need authorization for weapons, certain animals, some vegetable species and certain drugs.

For more information, contact:

• Ministry of Ecology and Development
  20 avenue Ségur
  Paris
  Tel: + 33 (0)1 4219 2021
• Ministry of  Agriculture
  78, rue Varenne
  Paris 7ème
  Tel: + 33 (0)1 4955 4955
  Food, fishing and agriculture. Subdirectorate for the protection of plants
• French Agency of medical safety
  153 boulevard Anatole France
  93000
  St Denis
  Tel: + 33 (0)1 5587 3000

Narcotics and psychotropics

You can import psychotropic drugs if you follow a medical treatment. In this case, you must produce a medical certificate if you move in the Schengen area.

Weapons and ammunition

You need an import permit from the Directorate-General in case you want to import weapons or ammunition.

Species threatened by extinction

You need a special permit if you want to import any products from species threatened by extinction (feathers, shells, cuttings) and present an import licence to CITES (convention of Washington), which you obtain from the regional direction of environment (DIREN).

Food   

For a long time, British beef import was strictly forbidden due to mad cow disease or ESB (Encéphalopathie Spongiforme Bovine),  the government has lifted the embargo.

Genetically modified products or OGM (Organismes Génétiquement Modifiés) are imported in France. If you do not wish to buy OGM produces, choose the ones labelled "AB" (agriculture biologic).

Plants, crops and food products of animal origin

Certain plants are subject to control when imported. Contact the Ministry of Agriculture for more information.