Sending goods from the UK to France after Brexit

Have you ever considered moving to France in 2022? While things are a little trickier following the implementation of new Brexit rules and regulations, it’s irrefutable that moving to France still holds much of the original appeal it offered to many people before the Brexit transition period, too!

With this in mind, today, we’ll be taking a look at some of the key things you need to know about removals to France following the Brexit transition period – and, critically, how you can get your most treasured belongings into the country safely, securely, and reliably.

Restricted Items to France: What You Should Know

Before we can go any further with this guide, we first need to consider which items are banned from importing into France. These typically include weapons and a handful of dangerous dog breeds. Fortunately, you can find a full list of items and possessions which are banned in France here.

At this point, we’ve outlined that you need to be aware of banned items – but what about restricted goods? There are numerous restricted goods in France that require additional paperwork before you can consider importing them into the country; these include alcohol and tobacco, cash (over €10,000 in value, which must be declared at customs), certain household goods valued at over €430, and pets without a valid French passport.

Of course, these restrictions can seem incredibly oppressive, especially the limit of household goods valued at over €430. Don’t worry, though; while this is a frustration, it’s still possible to import your treasured items into France safely and without too much expense.

First of all, we should point out that all belongings must be imported into France within 12 months of your move; while this allows you to import your belongings across multiple trips, the date is strict. What’s more, it’s worth considering that you’ll also not be able to sell second-hand any items that you’ve moved duty-free into France for 12 months since the time of their arrival; thereafter, it is possible to sell them.

When is Tax Duty Exempt?

We all hate the thought of paying more than we have to. Fortunately, tax duty is actually exempt in a handful of cases, most notable when you have lived within the UK (or another non-EU country) for a minimum of twelve months immediately prior to moving to France; the goods you bring into France which have been in your possession for longer than six months of this time will be exempt from tax duty.

Nevertheless, while this is worth considering, it’s also vital that you’ve got the correct paperwork in place to keep things running smoothly. Since these are still relatively new processes, it’s a little unclear still how things are likely to change and be operated regarding tax duties and paperwork requirements; as such, we’ve outlined some key paperwork points as follows.

Unfortunately, however, these rules are only applicable for those moving to France; as such, those purchasing a second home in France will still be liable for charges over €430 in value.

Key Paperwork Requirements for your Move to France

Thus far, we have summarised some of the key things you should know about moving furniture to France. However, we’ve yet to tackle the topic of the specific paperwork you’ll need to bring with you.
Since this is still a very new area and one that’s a little unclear until it’s been put into motion for a while longer, it’s definitely worth considering the following rules regarding paperwork:

• Two copies of your inventory; these documents should also include relevant and accurate valuations (in Euros, not pound sterling!)
• Receipts for recently purchased items within the last half a year (6 months)
• Residency documentation, an EU country passport, and details of your new French address
• For high-value furniture and belongings, you may need to also fill out the Cerfa 10070; if the object is listed separately from your main household insurance, this is likely a good candidate to include on this form.

These are just a handful of the different types of paperwork that you’ll need for your move to France. To ensure you’ve got the correct paperwork to hand, we highly recommend that you go above and beyond where possible; bring any paperwork that might be useful along with you, to be safe.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to move with a professional house moving company, hire local man and van to France or if you attempt to transport your belongings alone, it’s always crucial that you’ve got the suitable documentation to hand to prove the value of your belongings. This may help you avoid tax duties or pay a fair amount, in cases where this may not be possible. Fortunately, there are rules in place to help individuals cut tax duty on their furniture imports into France, which surely comes as a welcome change.
To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact our professional team today; we’re here to help you find the optimal moving strategy for your belongings, too. We also offer professional advice on how to bring goods back to the UK after Brexit.