Every year thousands of people leave Turkey for France to work, study, join family or retire. Paris and Île-de-France, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and Lille are the main destinations. French customs (the Douane) admits the used household goods of anyone transferring their residence from outside the EU free of tax; where France differs from other EU countries is its strict approach to paperwork and inventories. An incomplete or careless inventory list is the number one cause of customs delays in France. This guide covers the relief conditions, the inventory format French customs expects, the required documents, the Paris and Lyon routes and delivery details.
Duty-Free Relief for Household Goods in France (Franchise de Droits et Taxes)
Under the EU Duty Relief Regulation, anyone transferring their normal residence from a third country to France may import their personal effects without customs duty or the 20% VAT. The conditions:
- Your normal residence has been outside the EU (in Turkey) for the last 12 months.
- The goods have been used for at least 6 months.
- They are imported within 12 months of the date you settle in France (several consignments are allowed).
- The imported goods are not sold for 12 months.
Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and professional equipment are excluded. New, boxed products attract customs duty and 20% VAT. For the general framework of personal effects / household goods shipments, see our complete guide to moving household goods abroad.
How to Prepare the Inventory List (Inventaire)
French customs puts a dated, signed inventory list in French at the heart of the relief application. A correctly prepared list has the following features:
- Language: French (English is acceptable, but a French list speeds things up). We prepare the list in French on your behalf.
- Structure: Box/item number – description of contents – quantity – approximate value (in euros). Concrete descriptions such as "saucepan set (5 pieces), plates (12), glasses (12)…" rather than "kitchenware".
- Electronics: Brand, model and serial number.
- Total value: The total declared value at the end of the list; it must be consistent with your insurance policy.
- Declaration and signature: The statement "I declare that these goods have belonged to me and been in use for at least 6 months", plus date and signature.
- Two copies: One for customs, one for you.
During a physical inspection the officer opens boxes at random and compares them with the list; a discrepancy can trigger a detailed inspection of the entire shipment.
Required Documents
- Passport and French long-stay visa (VLS-TS) or residence permit (titre de séjour)
- Proof of settlement: Tenancy agreement (bail), electricity/water bill or employment contract; some customs offices ask for a certificat de changement de résidence from the town hall or a certificate issued by the French Consulate in Turkey
- Proof of residence in Turkey for the last 12 months (residence certificate, utility bill, employer or school letter)
- Inventory list in French (in the format described above)
- Relief application form (Cerfa 10070) — we complete it on your behalf
- Power of attorney (for the export formalities in Turkey and the import formalities in France)
- Invoices for any new items
Paris and Lyon Routes: Process and Transit Times
- Survey and quote: An item list or a video survey; volume and transport method are agreed.
- Document preparation: Inventory, Cerfa form and power of attorney.
- Packing and loading: At your address in Turkey.
- Export from Turkey and T1 transit: Kapıkule – Bulgaria – Serbia – Hungary – Austria – Germany – France.
- French customs: Relief declaration at the customs office of arrival (Gennevilliers/Roissy for the Paris area, Saint-Priest for Lyon); 1-2 working days.
- Delivery: Delivery to your door, furniture assembly and removal of packing materials.
| Route | Groupage (part-load) | Dedicated vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul – Paris | 6-10 days | 4-6 days |
| Istanbul – Lyon | 6-10 days | 4-6 days |
| Istanbul – Marseille / Nice | 7-11 days | 4-6 days |
| Istanbul – Strasbourg / Lille | 6-9 days | 4-5 days |
We run regular departures on our France route; our Frankfurt warehouse serves as a staging point for deliveries to eastern France.
Delivery in Paris: Haussmann Buildings and Parking
- Haussmann-style buildings: Most buildings in central Paris have 5-6 floors with either no lift or a very small one; large furniture is taken in through the window with an external furniture lift (monte-meubles). This is planned during the survey.
- Parking permit: To park a truck in Paris you need an autorisation de stationnement from the town hall (Mairie), applied for 1-2 weeks in advance.
- Caretaker (gardien): Many buildings require the caretaker to be notified of the move in advance and the lift to be protected.
- Crit'Air: Paris and Lyon have low-emission zones; our vehicles hold the required class.
What Determines the Cost?
- Volume (m³): a student move 5-10 m³, a two-bedroom flat 18-25 m³, a family home 25-35 m³
- Groupage or dedicated vehicle
- Central Paris delivery: external lift, parking permit, floor level
- Professional packing
- Customs services: export declaration, T1, French relief declaration, French inventory
- Insurance and interim storage
Prohibited and Restricted Items for France
- Prohibited: Meat and dairy products, fresh food, plants/soil, weapons, fireworks.
- Restricted: Alcohol and tobacco (outside the relief), prescription medicines, dry food in limited quantities.
- Electricity: 230V/50Hz; French sockets (Type E) are compatible with Turkish plugs.
Case Study: A PhD Student Moving from Ankara to Lyon
A student starting a PhD in Lyon wants to bring the contents of her one-bedroom flat in Ankara. The relief file is prepared with her VLS-TS visa and the bail for the studio she rented instead of a CROUS hall; the French inventory lists 42 boxes and 6 pieces of furniture line by line. Volume 8 m³, groupage. The vehicle lodges its declaration at Lyon Saint-Priest customs on day five; three boxes are opened and match the list. Delivery on day seven: third floor, no lift; our crew carries everything upstairs and assembles the bed. Tax due: zero.
Why REG Transport?
- More than 12 years of hands-on experience; regular departures on the France route.
- Our own vehicle fleet; warehouses in Istanbul, Gaziantep, London and Frankfurt.
- We prepare the French inventory and the Cerfa form ourselves; the declaration is lodged through our partner French customs broker.
- A single point of contact, a transparent itemised quote, CMR cover plus optional full-value insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write the inventory list in Turkish?
French customs expects a list in French (or English); we translate your Turkish list on your behalf.
How long does it take to ship household goods from Turkey to Paris?
6-10 days by groupage, 4-6 days with a dedicated vehicle.
My residence permit hasn't been issued yet, but I have a visa.
A VLS-TS visa together with a tenancy or employment contract is sufficient for the relief.
My Paris flat is on the 5th floor with no lift.
An external furniture lift (monte-meubles) is arranged and shown as a separate line in the quote.
Can I bring my car as well?
Yes; a vehicle registered in your name for at least 6 months qualifies for the relief; a separate certificate of conformity is needed to register it in France.
Let's Plan Your Move to France
Send us your item list and receive a written quote the same day; we will prepare the French inventory and the relief file for you. For full service details, see our international household removals page.
