End of the limit on cigarettes brought in from another EU country

Until now, people in France could not bring back more than 200 cigarettes from another European country. That limit of one carton per person has just been lifted in France. The announcement came as a thunderclap for the trade and for anti-tobacco associations.

A look back at the rules for smokers travelling abroad

In order to limit the black market, street selling and other illicit practices, adults in France returning from a European Union member state could bring back only 200 cigarettes, that is one carton, along with 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos and 250 g of smoking tobacco.

But since 29 March 2024, a new decree has been published in the official journal. The limit has not merely been raised: it has been abolished.

A new decree to align with European neighbours

While the price of cigarettes keeps rising in France in order to deter smokers, the government has decided to repeal its rule so as to align with European regulations.

Why such a reversal? The thunderclap is in fact the doing of a private individual in France. This smoker had taken the matter to the Conseil d’État, pointing out that the limits allowed by European regulations were less restrictive.

For personal consumption, Europe indeed sets a threshold of 800 cigarettes (four cartons), 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars and one kilo of smoking tobacco. Beyond that limit, customs consider that it is no longer personal consumption and may impose penalties. He therefore asked France either to repeal its rule or to bring it into line with European regulations.

France abolishes the limits, but tightens its checks

France’s choice is unexpected to say the least, since rather than applying the same limits as Europe, the government chose to abolish them. In practice, then, travellers may come back with as many smoking articles as they wish.

One caveat, though: the limits may have gone, but customs retain the right to inspect, seize and penalise. According to Thomas Cazenave, the minister for public accounts, this approach should be more effective and should help to prevent illegal trade. If customs officers stop a vehicle carrying a single carton but bearing a delivery address, that will be treated as illegal trade and the driver will be penalised. The customs service will then have to use every resource at its disposal to do its work and to exercise judgement.

How is the trade viewing this new rule?

Those working to reduce smoking are stunned by the decision. The Alliance contre le tabac (ACT) has protested that it runs entirely counter to all the efforts made so far to protect the younger generation.

According to the tobacconists’ confederation, the communication from the government and the media has not been up to the task. The message suggests that people in France may now bring back as much tobacco as they wish, without having to justify anything. Nothing has been said, moreover, about the various penalties incurred in the event of a check and of extravagant quantities.

What is less widely reported is that France is seeking to have the maximum number of cartons within the EU reduced to a single one. The finance ministry is still fighting illegal trafficking and makes a point of carrying its crackdown all the way to the EU institutions. The aim is not to endanger the 23,000 French tobacconists who comply with the law, but to wage a determined campaign against smuggling.