France

France

Regulations on the items taken into and out of France

According to French customs regulations, visitors who visit France from non-EU countries can take the following items tax-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, 250 millimeters of cosmetics, 50 grams of perfume, 500 grams of coffee, 100 grams of tea as well as items and medicines for personal use.

Cash valued at over EUR 10,000, items for personal use which exceed the tax-free limit and items for commercial purposes must be declared. Controlled medicines, plants and animals, meat products and other restricted items must be declared and go through strict entry formalities. For the regulations on pets taken into France, please check with the Commercial Department of the Embassy of France in China.

The following items fall into the category of contraband: drugs, narcotics, counterfeits and pirated goods, arms, ammunition, explosives, ivory products, pornographic materials, etc.

Tax refund upon exit:

Non-EU citizens who visit France for leisure or business purposes can apply for refund on the part of the value-added tax already paid when shopping in the country. According to the French government regulations, visitors can only apply for tax refund within 3 months after leaving France on goods (not foods) purchased on the same day and in the same shop and valued at above EUR 175. When shopping, you should ask the shop to issue a tax refund form for you, and you are expected to produce your passport and fill in your personal information as required. You should give the tax refund form to the airport customs and get your items purchased ready for inspection.

Visa

All Chinese citizens can apply for a visa for travel to France. The following materials are needed for visa application:

1. Valid passport: Yours must be a private passport valid for more than six months. If your passport has been renewed, you must provide your old passport too. If you have lost your old passport, you must provide a proof of the loss issued by the local police station.

2. Personal Data Sheet: If your visa application was once refused, you shall indicate the date and country of the refusal, especially if your visa application was once refused by a Schengen country.

3. You shall provide true information on your visa application form.

4. Photos: 4 colored photos with a white background (hatless)

5. Hukou Certificate: a photocopy of your family (the employer shown on the houkou certificate must be the same as that shown on the Certificate of Employment, and your marital status must reflect the reality)

6. You shall provide your ID card and a photocopy of ID card. If you are retired, you need to provide the retirement certificate. If you are a student, you need to provide a certificate of school vacation stamped with the seal of your school and your student ID.

7. Proof of Assets: You should provide your bank deposits of above RMB 30,000 or the equivalent of foreign currencies, photocopy of real estate certificate, car license, etc. If husband and wife apply for visas together, the bank deposits must be above RMB 60,000. If the name shown on the property certificate is that of one spouse, the marriage certificate must be provided.

8. Certificate of Employment: Letterhead paper stamped with the seal of the employer

9. 4 sheets of blank letterhead paper of the employer: The paper must be stamped with the employer's seal and shows the employer's name, address, telephone and fax number. The paper must be signed by an executive and shows the title of the executive. (The executive cannot be a visa applicant.)

10. Photocopy of the business license of the employer, with the seal showing that the company has passed the annual check.

11. Schengen visa insurance if you apply for a Schengen visa: The insurance payout is above EUR 30,000 or RMB 300,000, and the insurance must be applicable to all Schengen states and during the entire travel.

Embassy and Consulates of France in China

Embassy of France in China

Add: 60 Tianze Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Postal Code: 100600

Tel: +86-10-85312000

Fax: +86-10-85312020

Website: www.ambafrance-cn.org

Consulate General of France in Shanghai

Add: Road, Shanghai Haitong Securities Building, 689 Guangdong Road, Shanghai

Postal Code: 200001

Tel: +86-21-61032200

Consulate General of France in Guangzhou

Add: Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi East Road, Guangzhou

Postal Code: 510098

Tel: +86-20-28292000

Fax: +86-20-28292001

Consulate General of France in Wuhan

Add: Wuhan International Trade Commercial Center, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei

Postal Code: 430022

Consulate General of France in Chengdu

Add: 2 Zongfu Road, Chengdu, Sichuan

Postal Code: 610016

Consulate General of France in Shenyang

Add: 34 Nan Shisanwei Road, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning

Postal Code: 110003

Tel: +86-24-23190000

Fax: +86-24-23190001

Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, China

Add:25/F & 26/F, Tower II, Admirality Centre, 18 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong, China

Tel: +852-37529900

Fax: +852-37529901

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* The above information is for reference only. For more, contact the embassy.

* For more information on visa, head to the Star Alliance website.