France Customs Guide — Dubai to France
Moving to France from Dubai — DGDDI Franchise de Déménagement (EU Reg. 1186/2009) Explained
France implements the EU Regulation 1186/2009 removal goods exemption as the franchise de déménagement — administered by the Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI). This exemption eliminates French TVA (20%) and import duties on qualifying household goods for individuals relocating their normal place of residence to France from outside the EU. This guide covers the complete DGDDI declaration process for Dubai to France moves.
What Is the DGDDI Franchise de Déménagement
Franchise de Déménagement — France’s EU Removal Goods Exemption
The franchise de déménagement is France’s implementation of EU Regulation 1186/2009, which allows individuals transferring their normal residence from outside the EU to an EU member state to import qualifying household goods free of TVA (taxe sur la valeur ajoutée, 20%) and customs duties.
The process is administered by DGDDI (Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects). An attestation de changement de résidence (declaration of change of residence) must be submitted to DGDDI before or at the time of import. Le Havre and Marseille are the primary container ports for Dubai to France sea freight. Fusion prepares all DGDDI documentation through our licensed French customs broker (commissionnaire en douane agréé) on every Dubai to France move.
What the Franchise Covers
- Household furniture and furnishings owned and used in the UAE
- Personal clothing, sporting equipment, and personal effects
- Electrical appliances and household equipment (owned and used)
- Books, hobby equipment, and personal collections
- Motor vehicles (subject to specific conditions)
Franchise de Déménagement — At a Glance
- ✓TVA avoided: 20% French TVA
- ✓Legal basis: EU Reg. 1186/2009
- ✓Prior residency: 12+ months outside EU
- ✓Ownership period: 6+ months personal use
- ✓Submission: Before or at time of import
- ✓Ports: Le Havre, Marseille
- •Post-import restriction: 12 months no sale/loan
Franchise Eligibility Requirements
Six Conditions for the DGDDI Franchise de Déménagement
All six conditions below must be met for the franchise to apply. Fusion assesses eligibility at survey stage before anything is packed or shipped from Dubai.
You Must Be Transferring Your Normal Residence to France
The franchise de déménagement applies to individuals transferring their résidence habituelle (normal place of residence) from outside the EU to France. It does not apply to holiday properties, temporary postings, or investment property purchases. DGDDI assesses normal residence based on the totality of personal and professional ties.
12 Months’ Continuous Residence Outside the EU
You must have lived outside the EU continuously for at least 12 months before your move to France. Brief EU visits during this period do not break the continuous residence requirement, but taking up EU residence does. UAE residence visa records are typically the primary proof document.
Goods Must Have Been Owned and in Personal Use for 6+ Months
Every item claimed under the franchise must have been owned by you personally and in your normal use for at least 6 months before import. New items purchased for France do not qualify. Fusion reviews every inventory and advises which items must be declared separately at standard TVA rates.
Declaration Must Be Submitted Before or At Time of Import
The attestation de changement de résidence must be submitted to DGDDI before or at the time goods arrive at the French port. Submitting after arrival forfeits the franchise. Fusion submits through our licensed commissionnaire en douane agréé before goods leave Jebel Ali.
Goods Cannot Be Sold, Lent, or Hired for 12 Months After Import
EU Regulation 1186/2009 requires goods imported under the franchise not to be sold, lent, or hired for 12 months after import. Breach triggers retroactive TVA and duty charges.
French Address Required
DGDDI requires a confirmed French delivery address on the attestation. A signed bail (tenancy agreement) or compromis de vente (purchase contract) serves as the address confirmation. Fusion advises on options if your French address is not yet finalised.
Required Documentation
Every Document Required for the DGDDI Franchise de Déménagement
Fusion prepares all DGDDI documentation through our licensed French commissionnaire en douane agréé. All documentation is submitted before your goods arrive at Le Havre or Marseille.
Attestation de Changement de Résidence
The primary DGDDI declaration. It must state: that you are transferring your normal place of residence to France from outside the EU; that goods have been in your personal use for 6+ months; that you have been resident outside the EU for 12+ months; and that goods will not be sold or disposed of for 12 months after import. Fusion's commissionnaire en douane agréé prepares and submits this declaration through the DELTA French customs IT system.
Liste Détaillée des Effets (Detailed Inventory)
DGDDI requires a complete, itemised inventory of all goods being imported under the franchise. Items must be described individually with approximate values. Generic descriptions such as 'household goods' are rejected. The inventory must be in French or accompanied by a French translation. Fusion prepares the liste détaillée des effets during packing and formats it to DGDDI standards.
Proof of Prior Non-EU Residency (12+ Months)
Acceptable documents: UAE residence visa (or equivalent), UAE Emirates ID, attestation d'employeur (employer letter on headed paper) confirming UAE employment period, UAE tenancy agreement (contrat de location), UAE utility bills, or UAE bank statements showing UAE address. A combination of documents provides the strongest evidence. Fusion advises on optimal document selection.
Proof of New French Address
DGDDI requires: signed bail (tenancy agreement), acte de vente (property purchase completion), or compromis de vente (purchase pre-contract). Fusion advises on the most suitable documentation for your specific situation.
Connaissement (Bill of Lading)
The Bill of Lading (connaissement) must match the attestation de changement de résidence and the liste détaillée des effets exactly. Fusion ensures document consistency throughout the customs package.
Certificat d'Assurance (Marine Insurance Certificate)
Marine insurance covering the replacement value of goods is required as part of the DGDDI entry. Fusion arranges all-risks marine insurance for every Dubai to France shipment as standard.
French Port Clearance Process
What Happens at Le Havre or Marseille
Le Havre is France’s primary container port and the main gateway for Dubai to France sea freight. Marseille (port de Marseille-Fos) serves the south of France and Mediterranean destinations. DGDDI clearance at both ports operates through the DELTA electronic customs system.
DGDDI Customs Clearance
Fusion's commissionnaire en douane agréé submits the attestation de changement de résidence electronically through the DELTA customs system before vessel arrival. DGDDI reviews the submission and typically issues electronic release for correctly prepared franchise entries within 2–5 working days. Physical examination (visite douanière) is less common than for commercial cargo but does occur.
Visite Douanière — Physical Examination
If DGDDI selects a shipment for physical examination, the container is examined at the port against the liste détaillée des effets. Items not on the inventory, new items in original packaging, or items raising concerns are assessed separately at standard TVA rates. A visite douanière adds 3–7 working days and port examination charges (typically EUR 300–600) are paid by the importer.
Déclaration de Domicile — Address Registration
Within 3 months of arriving in France, you must declare your French address to the local mairie (town hall). While France does not have the same rigid Anmeldung-style requirement as Germany, maintaining an accurate French address record is important for: registering with the Sécurité Sociale (health system), obtaining your Carte Vitale (health card), registering with the tax authorities (Service des Impôts), and setting up a French bank account. Fusion briefs every client on the administrative requirements before they leave Dubai.
Clearance Timeline
- Electronic release (standard): 2–5 working days after vessel arrival at Le Havre
- Visite douanière: add 3–7 working days
- Road delivery Le Havre to Paris: approximately 2–3 hours
- Road delivery Le Havre to Lyon: approximately 7–8 hours
- Marseille to Cannes/Nice: approximately 2–3 hours
Restricted & Prohibited Items
What Cannot Enter France or Requires Special Permits
France enforces EU-level and French national import restrictions. Fusion screens every inventory against all applicable restrictions before packing begins in Dubai.
Absolutely Prohibited (EU & French Law)
Controlled drugs and narcotics. Child exploitation material. Counterfeit currency and goods. Items infringing French intellectual property law. Hate material and incitement publications. Certain weapons. Invasive species listed under EU regulations. Items from CITES-protected species without permits.
Restricted — Permit Required
Firearms (strict French licensing — autorisation du ministère de l'Intérieur required). Medications above personal use quantities (AMM or exemption required). CITES-regulated items (ivory, certain animal products — EU CITES permits required). Certain food products from outside the EU. Live plants without phytosanitary certificate. Radio communication equipment.
Motor Vehicles — Réception à Titre Isolé Required
Vehicles may be included in the franchise de déménagement if owned and used for 6+ months outside the EU. However, all vehicles entering France must obtain a Réception à Titre Isolé (RTI) — individual French type approval — or a valid EU Certificate of Conformity (CoC). The RTI process involves inspection by DREAL (Direction Régionale de l'Environnement) and can be lengthy and costly for non-EU spec vehicles. CRIT'Air environmental sticker is required for driving in many French cities. Fusion advises honestly on vehicle import viability at survey stage.
CITES & Wildlife Products
France strictly enforces EU CITES regulations. Items containing ivory, tortoiseshell, coral, certain exotic animal skins, feathers, and related materials require EU CITES import permits. The CITES Management Authority in France is the Ministère de la Transition Écologique. Fusion advises on CITES items at survey stage.
Alcohol & Tobacco
Personal use quantities are generally permitted. Note that France produces significant quantities of controlled appellation wines — importing counterfeit or mislabelled French AOC wines into France specifically is an offence. Significant alcohol collections should be discussed at survey stage.
Pets — EU Pet Passport or EU Health Certificate
France is an EU member state. Dogs and cats from the UAE require: ISO-standard microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and an EU-format animal health certificate (EU AHC) from an officially authorised UAE government veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Dogs from the UAE are not subject to the EU blood titre test requirement. No quarantine for pets meeting EU requirements. Fusion's pet team manages all documentation.
Check Your Franchise de Déménagement Eligibility
Tell us your Dubai address, French destination city, approximate move date, and how long you have been resident in the UAE. A Fusion France customs specialist will assess your franchise eligibility, advise on documentation, and brief you on the French administrative process — before you ship anything.
Common Franchise Mistakes
The Four Most Common Dubai to France Customs Mistakes
These are the most common errors Fusion encounters when clients approach us after a problem has already occurred.
Submitting the Attestation After Goods Arrive at Le Havre
The most expensive mistake. DGDDI requires the attestation de changement de résidence before or at the time of import. Submitting after arrival means full 20% TVA is assessed on the entire shipment. On a typical 3-bedroom household move, this is an AED 25,000–60,000 avoidable cost. Fusion submits through our commissionnaire en douane agréé before goods leave Jebel Ali.
Including New or Unused Items in the Franchise Declaration
New items — purchased in Dubai for the French home, still in original packaging, or bought within 6 months of the move — do not qualify under EU Reg. 1186/2009. Including them is a false declaration to DGDDI and risks rejection of the entire franchise claim. Fusion reviews every inventory and separates qualifying from non-qualifying items before the declaration is prepared.
Inventory Descriptions Insufficient for DGDDI
DGDDI rejects inventories with generic descriptions ('mobilier de maison', 'effets personnels', 'divers'). Each item must be individually described with an estimated value. Fusion's packing team compiles the liste détaillée des effets during packing, item by item, to DGDDI standards. The inventory is prepared in French.
No Confirmed French Address at Time of Submission
The attestation requires a confirmed French address. If your bail or acte de vente is not yet finalised, the declaration cannot be properly submitted. Options include using a temporary French address or delaying the shipment departure until the address is confirmed. Fusion advises on the best approach at survey stage — this is a planning issue, not an insurmountable problem.
Special Cases
Franchise de Déménagement in More Complex Situations
The scenarios below arise in a minority of Dubai to France moves but require specific handling when they do.
Returning French Nationals (Français de l'Étranger)
French nationals returning from genuine overseas normal residence — including registered Français établis hors de France — fully qualify for the franchise de déménagement. The 12-month non-EU residency requirement applies. Many returning French nationals deregister with the Consulat before moving — Fusion advises on the documentation implications.
Corporate Relocations
The attestation de changement de résidence must be in the name of the individual relocating. An employer attestation (lettre de mission) confirming the UAE posting, its duration, and the French assignment is valuable supporting documentation. Fusion manages corporate relocation DGDDI documentation for multinational HR departments.
Paris — Haussmann Building Delivery Logistics
Paris presents specific delivery logistics: Haussmann-era buildings in central Paris often have strict lift dimensions, concierge coordination requirements, and restricted delivery hours (typically 07:00–17:00 weekdays). Some buildings require advance notice to the syndicat de copropriété (residents' association). Fusion's Parisian delivery partner manages all access coordination in advance.
Multi-Consignment Moves
Multiple separate shipments each require their own DGDDI entry but can reference the same franchise approval. Fusion coordinates multi-consignment franchise documentation for clients splitting their shipments between sea and air freight.
SAS / SARL Owners — Professional Equipment
Business equipment imported as part of a relocation may qualify for a separate DGDDI exemption category (matériel professionnel) under EU Reg. 1186/2009. Items used in your profession abroad that are being relocated with you may be treated differently from pure household goods. Fusion advises on the optimal declaration approach for professionals with significant work equipment.
French Spouse or Partner — Combined Households
When both partners are relocating to France and have separate goods in transit, the franchise de déménagement applies to each person's goods individually. For married couples with genuinely combined goods, a single attestation in one partner's name may cover the joint household. Fusion advises on the optimal approach for combined household moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
DGDDI Franchise de Déménagement — Dubai to France FAQ
For personalised advice, request a free customs assessment or WhatsApp our France customs team.
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