The French government has issued an unprecedented decree ordering intensive inspections on more than a dozen high-risk food categories—ranging from melons to potatoes—and outright suspending imports that show traces of four pesticides already banned in the EU. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the measure, announced on 4 January, is a direct response to farmers’ protests against the proposed EU–Mercosur trade deal and aims to ensure that “every kilo of produce entering France meets our environmental and food-safety standards.”
From a global-mobility perspective the decree matters because it will be enforced by the same customs and border-police units that process passenger and freight flows at French ports, airports and road crossings. Additional documentary checks and random laboratory sampling are expected at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle’s cargo zone, Le Havre seaport and the Franco-Spanish road corridors, potentially lengthening clearance times for corporate relocation shipments and on-board courier consignments.
For companies and travellers who suddenly need to navigate tighter French entry and customs requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The firm’s dedicated France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) tracks real-time regulatory changes, offers document-preparation tools and can arrange courier filings—helping mobility managers and individual employees stay compliant without losing precious time.
![Paris tightens border inspections on food imports, signalling tougher customs checks at French entry points]()
Logistics specialists anticipate a 24- to 48-hour learning curve as inspectors calibrate risk-profiles and importers adapt paperwork. Companies relocating staff with household goods that include packaged food—or diplomatic moves involving commissary supplies—should verify that shipments do not contain the listed substances, or risk seizure and disposal fees.
Genevard has urged the European Commission to roll out similar checks EU-wide; until then France stands alone, increasing the likelihood of diversionary routings through neighbouring countries. Forwarders advise pre-clearing sensitive cargo via the French Customs’ DELTA-G system and scheduling arrivals outside peak passenger windows to avoid compounded delays.
While the decree targets goods rather than people, mobility managers should flag the new rules to expatriates transporting personal foodstuffs and to business travellers hand-carrying samples. Non-compliance can trigger fines of up to €7,500 and formal destruction of the goods, with little recourse for appeal.
From a global-mobility perspective the decree matters because it will be enforced by the same customs and border-police units that process passenger and freight flows at French ports, airports and road crossings. Additional documentary checks and random laboratory sampling are expected at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle’s cargo zone, Le Havre seaport and the Franco-Spanish road corridors, potentially lengthening clearance times for corporate relocation shipments and on-board courier consignments.
For companies and travellers who suddenly need to navigate tighter French entry and customs requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The firm’s dedicated France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) tracks real-time regulatory changes, offers document-preparation tools and can arrange courier filings—helping mobility managers and individual employees stay compliant without losing precious time.
Logistics specialists anticipate a 24- to 48-hour learning curve as inspectors calibrate risk-profiles and importers adapt paperwork. Companies relocating staff with household goods that include packaged food—or diplomatic moves involving commissary supplies—should verify that shipments do not contain the listed substances, or risk seizure and disposal fees.
Genevard has urged the European Commission to roll out similar checks EU-wide; until then France stands alone, increasing the likelihood of diversionary routings through neighbouring countries. Forwarders advise pre-clearing sensitive cargo via the French Customs’ DELTA-G system and scheduling arrivals outside peak passenger windows to avoid compounded delays.
While the decree targets goods rather than people, mobility managers should flag the new rules to expatriates transporting personal foodstuffs and to business travellers hand-carrying samples. Non-compliance can trigger fines of up to €7,500 and formal destruction of the goods, with little recourse for appeal.
