The sums of money, securities and debentures of an amount equal to or greater than EUR 7 600 (or the equivalent in another currency) which you are carrying must be declared to the customs authorities conducting checks in this domain in order to combat the laundering of money from illegal trafficking, for instance in narcotics.

All persons (whether French residents or not) must comply with this obligation to make a declaration.

What Must You Declare?

• banknotes and coins (French or foreign)
• cheques (made out to a third party)
• travellers’ cheques/postal cheques
• bills of exchange and letters of credit, without a banker’s order
• anonymous bonds
• securities and other credit certificates made out to the bearer or which can be endorsed
  gold ingots and gold or silver coins quoted on an official market.

You must draw up three copies of your declaration on a form available at:

• a customs office
• French consulates or embassies in European Union Member States

OR

You must draw up three copies of your declaration on a blank page (if no form is available).

The declaration must be dated, signed and contain the following information:

• statement that sums of money, securities or debentures are being imported or exported;
• surnames, names, nationality, date and place of birth;
• address of main domicile;
• this phrase: “I declare that I am carrying the sums of money, securities or debentures listed below, the total amount of which is equal to or greater than EUR 7 600”;
• description of the nature of the sums, securities or debentures, indicating the currency in which they are made out and the amount;
• date of transfer, where appropriate;
• total amount.

In the event of a transfer for a third party:

Your declaration must include the identification of the owner of the sums, securities or debentures being transported.

Namely:

• Persons transporting cheques for companies that habitually engage in importing, exporting and trade in goods and services are exempted from making the declaration.

Where and when should you lodge your declaration?

If you are going to (or coming from) a European Union member country:

• You must send your declaration to SETICE (Foreign Securities Service) at least fifteen days before the start of your journey, accompanied by an envelope on which you have indicated the address where you wish to receive the stamped copy of the declaration.

If you have not been able to make the declaration within this deadline, you may:

• upon entry into France, hand it over to a customs agent at the border;
• upon leaving France, hand it to a customs office or customs agent at the border.

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.