Can I Bring Lemons Into France?
Sep 5th, 2005, 05:57 PM
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Can I Bring Lemons Into France?
This may sound like a dumb question, a coals to Newcastle type of thing. Our wonderful little Meyer lemon tree has suddenly decided to produce more fruit than it has all year.
We love it's sweet juicy fruit and if I were staying home, I'd make limoncello with them.
I'll give most of them away, but since we are staying in an apartment and I will make use of them, can I bring a few of them into Paris?
I've brought sillier things to a Parisan friend, at his request - cinnamon graham crackers and green chili sauce.
Nina
We love it's sweet juicy fruit and if I were staying home, I'd make limoncello with them.
I'll give most of them away, but since we are staying in an apartment and I will make use of them, can I bring a few of them into Paris?
I've brought sillier things to a Parisan friend, at his request - cinnamon graham crackers and green chili sauce.
Nina
Sep 5th, 2005, 07:44 PM
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Hi Nina, you are in the US correct? I would go onto Google and look up the French Customs website to see if you can bring in fresh fruit to France. I am not saying you cannot but I rather think you cannot. Best wishes.
Sep 5th, 2005, 09:48 PM
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France, in theory, restricts only non-European food of animal origin, or endangered products covered by CITES (which lemons most certainly aren't). Fruit and veg in non-commercial quantities can ordinarily be imported totally freely.
In practice, you simply aren't aware of French Customs (as opposed to Immigration) officials anyway. The Gestapo-style interrogations you get in Australia, or those pesky microdogs that sniff you in Florida, are quite unEuropean. Just collect your luggage and walk through the green channel.
In practice, you simply aren't aware of French Customs (as opposed to Immigration) officials anyway. The Gestapo-style interrogations you get in Australia, or those pesky microdogs that sniff you in Florida, are quite unEuropean. Just collect your luggage and walk through the green channel.
Sep 5th, 2005, 10:28 PM
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I'm coming from San Francisco and I know that California is very strict about bring in produce and plants.
My little Meyer lemons are going to Paris. I hope they are excited as I am.
Nina
My little Meyer lemons are going to Paris. I hope they are excited as I am.
Nina
Sep 6th, 2005, 01:29 AM
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Probably no one will even ask but they will keep also. My two tiny trees are going to have a nice crop this year--but in a number of months. When they produce, they are amazing--only 2 feet tall and covered.
Sep 6th, 2005, 09:36 AM
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Not sure what the rules say, but in two decades of entering France, from the U.S., perhaps three dozen times, we've NEVER been stopped for a customs question, let alone a check. Hold your passport(s) in your hand, so those blue covers can be seen, and walk confidently by.
Sep 6th, 2005, 09:42 AM
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>Hold your passport(s) in your hand, so those blue covers can be seen, and walk confidently by.<
Except that you will be almost certain to annoy a Douanier, who will stop you and ask to inspect your baggage.
Except that you will be almost certain to annoy a Douanier, who will stop you and ask to inspect your baggage.
Sep 6th, 2005, 10:18 AM
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It's no business of the (largely invisible) French Customs officials what colour your passport is, and there's no point showing your passport to go through Customs.
The thought they'd treat different nationalities differently is insane. If you're bringing fresh meat from Britain during one of their occasional anti-British spats, they'll crucify you even if you've got an EU passport saying "Republique Francasise". If you're carrying a bag of lemons, they won't give a tuppenny damn even if you've got a North Korean passport.
The thought they'd treat different nationalities differently is insane. If you're bringing fresh meat from Britain during one of their occasional anti-British spats, they'll crucify you even if you've got an EU passport saying "Republique Francasise". If you're carrying a bag of lemons, they won't give a tuppenny damn even if you've got a North Korean passport.
