Moving to France from Singapore
Planning a move from Singapore to France?
Relocating your household belongings internationally involves preparing the right documents, understanding the conditions for duty-free entry and knowing which items may require additional attention before they are shipped.
This guide covers the key customs considerations for bringing your personal belongings, vehicles and other household items into France.
Moving Services Across France
CM Relocation provides door-to-door international moving services from Singapore to destinations throughout France, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nice and other cities across the country.
Why Choose CM Relocation?
Your move from Singapore to France, handled with care
An international move comes with plenty of details to coordinate. From preparing your belongings in Singapore to arranging international transportation and supporting the customs process, CM Relocation helps keep your relocation organised from start to finish.
Our services include
Professional Packing
Careful preparation of your household belongings for international transportation.
International Shipping
Shipping solutions based on your household size and requirements.
Customs Coordination
Support with the documentation required for your international move.
Door-to-Door Delivery
Coordinated collection, transportation and delivery to your new home.
Personalised Relocation Support
A dedicated team to guide you throughout your move.
Let our family move yours.
Ready to start your move to France?
First, Check If Your Move Qualifies for Duty-Free Entry
If you're transferring your principal residence from a country outside the EU to France, your personal effects may qualify for duty-free entry when the applicable conditions are met.
To qualify for duty-free entry, you must generally:
- Have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months.
- Have used your personal effects and vehicle for at least 6 months.
- Import your belongings within 12 months of the transfer of residence.
- Keep the imported goods in your possession for at least 12 months after importation.
If your belongings are arriving in separate consignments, they should all be included on the first inventory submitted to Customs.
Good to know
The duty-free conditions apply to a transfer of your principal residence. A move involving a secondary residence has different requirements and may be subject to duties and VAT.
Your Essential Documents
Having your paperwork ready before your shipment arrives can help make the customs process smoother.
For household goods and personal effects, the following documents are generally required:
- Passport copy
- Detailed inventory in French
- Inventory valued in EUR
- Inventory dated and signed
- Separate inventories for sea and air shipments, where applicable
- Certificate of non-resale
- Certificate of change of residence, where applicable
- Certificate of transfer or employment
- Proof of residence in France
- Declaration of duty exemption for personal effects from outside the EU, Cerfa No. 10070*03
Your inventory matters
Your inventory should be detailed, valued in euros, dated and signed.
If your belongings are being shipped separately by sea and air, a separate inventory should be prepared for each shipment.
What If You're Returning to France?
For French nationals returning to France, a certificate of change of residence may be required.
The certificate should indicate:
- The date of arrival in the country
- The date of departure from the country
- That the applicant has stayed abroad for at least 12 months
- That the customer is returning to France
A certificate of transfer or employment may also be required, showing the employment period in the country of origin and the date of transfer.
What About Your New Home?
You may need to provide proof of residence in France dated no more than three months before the arrival of your shipment. Acceptable documents may include:
- Electricity bills
- Phone bills
- Lease contract
Moving Into a Secondary Residence?
If you're furnishing a secondary residence in France rather than transferring your principal residence, different customs requirements and charges apply.
You may need to provide:
- Authorisation certificate from the Regional Customs Directorate
- Detailed inventory in French, valued in EUR, dated and signed
- Proof of ownership or rental of the property in France
- Proof of normal residence abroad
- Bill of transport and insurance for the removal goods
- Passport copy
Applicable charges
The applicable charges are approximately 10% duty and 20% VAT, calculated based on the transportation and inventory value.
Special Circumstances
Some moves have different customs requirements depending on your situation.
Wedding Trousseaux & Gifts
Wedding trousseaux and household effects, including new items, may qualify for duty-free entry.
You'll need:
- Marriage certificate or family record book
- Copy of Cerfa No. 10070*03
- Detailed valued inventory in duplicate, dated and signed
Presents received by the person transferring residence may also qualify for duty-free treatment when the unit value is less than €1,000.
The required documents must be submitted within the specified period around the marriage, and a guarantee may be required.
Inherited Household Goods
If you're bringing household belongings you've inherited into France, they may qualify for duty-free entry when the applicable conditions are met.
You may need to provide:
- Certificate from an official authority or notary confirming the inheritance and inventory
- Heir's passport copy
- Death certificate
- French residence certificate
- Detailed and valued inventory in duplicate
- Documents confirming the importer resides in France
- Signed non-resale form
The inherited goods must be imported within two years of becoming the property of the heir and transported under the heir's name.
Bringing Your Car to France?
If you're shipping a vehicle as part of your relocation, you'll need to prepare additional documentation.
For a motor vehicle, you may need:
- Original certificate of title in the shipper's name
- Copy of the vehicle purchase invoice
- Value declaration included in the inventory
A vehicle may qualify for duty-free entry under the same conditions that apply to a principal-residence removal.
To qualify for an exemption from duties and taxes, you must meet the applicable conditions for personal effects and provide proof that VAT was paid in the original country.
If the vehicle is shipped separately from a household removal, VAT may apply.
The additional vehicle documents should be issued at least 6 months before the vehicle's estimated departure date, and the shipper must have lived in the country of origin for at least 12 months.
Alcohol and tobacco have separate customs requirements and may be subject to duties when brought into France.
Alcohol is subject to duties and requires a separate inventory from your other household belongings.
The inventory should include:
- Type of alcohol, such as wine, whisky or rum
- Value of each bottle
- Alcohol percentage
- Quantity and bottle size, such as 75cl or 1L
Traditional “fond de cave” provisions are no longer allowed.
Tobacco and related products are subject to limited duties.
Items That Require Special Attention
Some goods have specific requirements or may be prohibited from import.
Medicine & Narcotics
An authorisation from the Ministry of Health in France is required for medicine and narcotics.
If your shipment contains medication or other controlled substances, it is best to carry them with you on your flight instead of shipping them.
Arms & Ammunition
Arms and ammunition require an import permit issued by the Directorate General of Customs.
Do not include these items in your household shipment without confirming the required authorisation.
Items You Should Not Pack
Some items are prohibited from being included in your shipment to France, including:
- Military or paramilitary equipment
- Raw wood material
- Lithium batteries
- Live plants
- Dried flowers
- Fresh fruits
- Electric scooters
- Electric bikes
- Electric cars
- Medicine, whether prescribed or not (unless authorized by the Ministry of Health in France)
- Weapons or toys that look like weapons (e.g. replica guns, knives)
Moving to France with Pets?
If you're relocating with a pet, make sure the necessary arrangements are made before your shipment is prepared.
For dogs, cats and birds, a health certificate issued by an official veterinary surgeon is required. Requirements may vary depending on whether the animal is coming from an EU country or a country outside the EU. Additional conditions may also apply to certain protected or endangered wild animals.
Your France Moving Checklist
Before your shipment leaves Singapore, check that you have everything ready for your move to France.
Household Goods
- Passport copy
- Inventory values in EUR
- Signed and dated inventory
- Separate sea and air inventories, if applicable
- Certificate of non-resale
- Certificate of change of residence, where applicable
- Transfer or employment certificate
- Proof of residence in France
- Cerfa No. 10070*03 declaration
Special Items
- Alcohol inventory prepared, if applicable
- Tobacco requirements checked
- Medicine requirements checked
- Arms and ammunition permits confirmed, if applicable
- Prohibited items removed from the shipment
- Pet health certificate arranged, if applicable
Vehicle
- Original vehicle title
- Vehicle purchase invoice
- Vehicle value included on inventory
- Proof of VAT payment in the original country
Once everything is checked, your shipment is ready for its journey to France.
General FAQ for Moving to France
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
They may qualify if you’re transferring your principal residence from outside the EU and meet the applicable conditions. These include having lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, having used your personal effects for at least 6 months and importing the goods within 12 months of your transfer of residence.
Alcohol is subject to duties and requires a separate inventory detailing the type of alcohol, value per bottle, alcohol percentage and quantity or bottle size.
Yes, but additional documentation is required, including the original certificate of title, vehicle purchase invoice, and value declaration. Additional conditions may apply for duty-free treatment.
You will generally need a passport copy, a detailed inventory in French valued in EUR and dated and signed, a certificate of non-resale, proof of residence in France, and applicable transfer or change-of-residence documents. A Cerfa No. 10070*03 declaration may also be required for duty-free entry.
Need Help with Your Move to France?
Every international relocation is different, and your documentation requirements can depend on your residence status, what you’re shipping and whether you’re bringing a vehicle, pet or other special items.
Please email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist with your move.