How much wine can I bring back from France & VAT Refund

How much wine can I bring back from France & VAT Refund

France is a dream destination for wine lovers. Lets get enchanted by a smooth Bordeaux, a crisp Chablis, or the bubbles of a fine sparkling wine. You will probably want to take a few bottles home, won’t you ? But how much wine can you legally bring back from France ?

The answer depends on where you're headed and whether your destination is an EU country or not. In this article, we will walk you through the official limits, the distinctions by type of alcohol, potential customs duty, and how you can even save money using the Zapptax app.

Fast, easy, and secure VAT refunds with Zapptax. Discover the app.

TL;DR

• France is the best place for wine lovers : Bordeaux, Chablis, Champagne, and more.
• How much wine you can bring back depends on your destination :
  • Within the EU: Up to 90L of still wine is allowed for personal use.
  • To the UK: Limit is 18L of still wine (24 bottles).
  • To the USA: 1L duty-free; more allowed but taxed.
  • To Canada: Up to 1.5L of wine (2 bottles) duty-free.
• These limits are per person and vary by alcohol type.
• Always check with your local customs authority before packing.
• Want to save money ? Use Zapptax to claim your VAT refund on wine purchases in France.

What are the limits if you are traveling within the European Union ?

If you're heading to another European Union country, you're in luck : there are no strict customs limits on amounts of alcohol for personal use. However, there are guideline quantities to help Customs determine whether the alcohol is for personal or commercial use.

Indicative limits within the EU :

• Still (not sparkling) wine : 90 liters
• Beer : 110 liters
• Beverages with more than 22% ABV (like whisky, vodka) : 10 liters
• Beverages with up to 22% ABV : 20 liters

If you're carrying more than this, you may be asked to prove it’s for personal use.

Good to know : These limits are cumulative. For example, you can bring back 10 liters of whisky + 20 liters of port + 90 liters of wine + 110 liters of beer.

Also important : These are per person limits, not per vehicle. They apply whether you travel by private transport (on foot, by bike, car, boat, etc.) or public transport (plane, train, ferry).

And don’t forget : You must keep the invoices for any purchases in order to detax it and present it if requested by Customs.

What are the limits if you are traveling to a non-EU country ?

Heading home to the UK, US, Canada, or elsewhere outside the EU ? Different rules apply. Typical limits for bringing alcohol back from France :

1. Arriving in the USA

If you’re traveling back to the United States from France and you’re 21 or older, you are allowed to bring back 1 liter of alcohol duty-free. This can include wine, beer, or spirits. You can bring in more than 1 liter, but you will have to pay Customs duty and federal excise taxes :

• Around 21–31 cents per 750ml bottle of wine
• Around 67 cents per 750ml bottle of champagne
• Around $2.14 per 750ml bottle of spirits (whisky, vodka, etc.)

Important to note :

➤You must be 21 or older, even alcohol as a gift is illegal for minors to import.

➤Rules vary by U.S. state, some allow only limited quantities without a license. You must check with the individual States.

➤There’s no federal limit, but bringing too much may raise suspicions of commercial intent.

For more information, visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

2. Arriving in the UK

If you’re travelling to Great Britain (England, Wales or Scotland) from France, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. This is known as your personal allowance.

You must transport them yourself and use them yourself, or give them away as a gift. These goods are intended for personal use, not for resale or commercial intent.

How much you can bring depends on the type of alcohol.

• Beer : 42 litres
• Still wine : 18 litres
• Spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol : 4 litres
• Beverages up to 22% alcohol (not including beer or still wine) : 9 litres

Alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol include :

• Sparkling wine
• Fortified wine (for example port, sherry)
• Cider

Of course, you can split this last allowance. For example, you could bring 2 litres of spirits and 4.5 litres of fortified wine (both half of your allowance). For more details, visit the official UK government guide to alcohol allowances.

3. Arriving in Canada

You can bring back the following amounts of alcohol duty- and tax-free :

• Wine : up to 1.5 liters.

• Sprits : up to 1.14 liters.

• Beer or ale : up to 8.5 liters.

These allowances apply per person and are subject to minimum age laws, which vary by province (18 years in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, 19 years for the remaining provinces and territories).

If you exceed these limits, you will have to pay duties, taxes, and possibly provincial levies. You should check with your province’s liquor control authority before returning to Canada.

For full details, visit the official Canada Border Services Agency website.

Does it matter what type of alcohol you bring ?

Yes, the Customs rules often vary based on the type of alcohol. Wine is usually more flexible in limits than spirits or fortified drinks, and sparkling wine can fall under stricter categories depending on the country.

So if you’re filling your suitcase with Champagne, make sure you’re checking the appropriate limits.

What happens if you exceed the allowance ?

You may have to pay customs duties, excise taxes, and import VAT. These fees depend on the country, and often vary by the value and volume of alcohol brought in.

How to save money on wine shopping in France with Zapptax ?

If you're a non-EU resident, there is an easy way to save on your French wine purchases : claim a VAT refund with Zapptax.

Why use Zapptax ?

• Shop for wine at any store in France that provides an invoice.
• Combine purchases from multiple shops to reach the minimum of €100 (VAT incl.).
• Handle everything from your phone—no paperwork.
• Get up to 90% of your VAT back via credit card, bank account, or PayPal.

How does it work ?

1. Ask for invoices made out to "Zapptax" (the app guides you).
2. . Upload your invoices to the Zapptax app.
3. Once you reach €100 in total purchases, Zapptax creates your digital tax-free form.
4. Validate your tax-free form at the airport before leaving the EU.
5. Receive your refund within a few weeks.

Zapptax is the perfect solution for travelers who want to stock up on French wines (sparkling, red, white, or rosé) without overpaying. It also works for other goods like perfume, fashion, and cosmetics.

Final tips

• Always check your destination’s Customs website before packing wine.
• Wrap your bottles securely in your checked luggage.
• Use Zapptax to get your VAT refund on your purchases during your trip.
• Don’t forget to validate your tax-free form before departure.

Conclusion

Bringing wine back home is a joyful part of the travel experience in France, but it comes with rules. By understanding the allowances and using solutions like Zapptax, you can enjoy your favorite French treasures back home—without worrying about Customs duty or missing out on valuable tax refunds. Santé !

FAQ

1. How many bottles of wine can you bring back to the UK from France? You are allowed to bring up to 18 liters of still wine into the UK from France, which equals 24 standard 75cl bottles.

2. How many bottles of wine can you bring home from France? It depends on your destination. For example, UK residents can bring home up to 24 bottles, while U.S. and Canadian residents are usually allowed 2–3 bottles duty-free, depending on local rules.

3. What is my duty-free allowance from France to the UK? You can bring in 42 liters of beer, 18 liters of still wine, 4 liters of spirits, and 9 liters of sparkling or fortified wine duty-free for personal use.

4. How much wine can you bring back from Calais? You can bring back from Calais up to 18 liters of still wine per person, if you're entering the country for personal use.

5. How many bottles of wine are in 4 litres? There are approximately 5.3 standard bottles (75cl each) in 4 liters of wine.

6. How many bottles of wine is 9 litres? 9 liters equals 12 standard bottles of wine (75cl each).