Yes, you can take furniture to your second home in France, but you must declare it and potentially pay import duties and VAT if the value exceeds limits (around €430) and you don't qualify for a full residence transfer exemption, requiring a detailed, valued inventory and proof of French property ownership, though many items under 6 months old might slip through without issues if you're clearly moving personal effects for a non-commercial purpose, especially if you've owned them over 6 months.
If you own a house in France, you may already be aware: since January 1, 2023, the council tax no longer applies to primary residences, but still applies to second homes. The cancellation of the housing tax was partly cushioned by the increase in the property tax for all types of properties.
If you are crossing the border with furniture you purchased abroad, you will have to declare items on a CBP Declaration From 6059B, which is available at the port of entry. Also, this form can be filled out online prior to your travel and then printed and taken with you as your official Customs Declaration.
Moving to France from the US typically costs between $3,500 and $12,000 to ship your household goods, then you add flights, customs paperwork, and those first few months of setup costs. I think the range feels wide, because everyone's move looks different.
Thankfully, yes you can take your furniture to France after Brexit, even if it's a full set and you may think it looks like you'll sell it, and you don't have the receipts, you can bring furniture into the country.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
When entering the United States, what items must I declare?
Failing to declare items can have serious legal and financial consequences. Whether intentional or accidental, neglecting this responsibility may result in fines, confiscation of goods, or even criminal charges.
Since April 12th 2025, Brits have not been allowed to bring back the following EU products: Beef, Pork, Goat, Lamb, Mutton, Venison and any product containing these meats. Pet food or food not for consumption that contains any of these meats. Dairy products - such as cheese, yoghurt and butter.
Moving your belongings abroad using a cargo ship and via a 20ft or 40ft container is usually the most common and cost-efficient way. If you choose this option, your international moving company will send a shipping container to your home.
Cost Range: $200-$800 for most furniture pieces, depending on size, weight, and distance. A typical couch might cost $300-$500 to ship from coast to coast, while a dining room set could range from $400-$700.
When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, you are required to declare all items acquired abroad that you're bringing with you. U.S. Customs law mandates that anything you obtained during your trip and did not have when you left the U.S. must be declared.
It allowed sellers to claim CGT exemption for the final 36 months of ownership, even if they had moved out. However, this was reduced to 18 months in 2014 and further to 9 months in 2020, which remains the rule today. This general law is in place as it prevents short-term transaction benefits concerning taxation.
When the UK left the EU on 1 January 2021, France imposed a higher rate of 17.2% on British citizens owning French second homes. This significantly increased the tax burden for Brits and encouraged many to sell their properties.
owners can apply for their vehicle registration document anywhere in France, regardless of where they reside.
As a general rule of thumb, anything you obtained abroad needs to be declared. Some examples include: Purchases made abroad, including gifts for friends and family or something you will use or sell in your business. A gift you received while abroad.
Any time you enter or leave Canada, you must declare any money or monetary instruments, such as stocks, bond or cheques that you are carrying valued at $10,000 or more.
10 tips to avoid customs delays
Do I need to declare every luxury item I buy abroad? In a word, yes. Declaring luxury goods to US Customs is always a good idea. All of your purchases abroad are subject to declaration by US Customs, and luxury goods have the highest likelihood of being inspected.
You can't pack explosives, firearms (unless declared and packed correctly), flammable liquids/solids (like gasoline, lighter fluid, large aerosols), strong acids/bleach, disabling sprays (pepper spray), large quantities of alcohol (>70% ABV), spare lithium batteries, or hoverboards in checked luggage due to safety risks; instead, keep essentials like medication, electronics, and valuables in your carry-on.
By law, you must declare any goods listed on your incoming passenger card, including certain food, plant material and animal products. You can be penalised if you don't declare goods or provide an incorrect declaration. You could: receive a fine of up to A$5,500.
It is frowned upon in France to shout or speak very loudly during a discussion or on the phone. We do not like people who stand out or who are too much in France.
Seine-Saint-Denis (French pronunciation: [sɛn sɛ̃ d(ə)ni]) is a department of France located in the Grand Paris metropolis in the Île-de-France region. In French, it is often referred to colloquially as quatre-vingt treize or neuf trois ("ninety-three" or "nine three"), after its official administrative number, 93.
The Zone Rouge, or Red Zone, is the name given to about 460 square miles of totally devastated land in the Meuse. Littered with unexploded ordnance, it became a physical and environmental catastrophe.