Moving to France
If you reside in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles (Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado), the Consulate may issue a Change of Residence Certificate, allowing you to deliver your personal belongings without paying customs tax.
This Certificate must be given to the French customs authorities, a procedure generally done by the mover.
The Certificate may be issued by the Consulate only if you have not resided in the European Union for over 12 consecutive months, and after providing the following documents:
For French citizens registered at the Consulate:
A signed letter applying for a Change of Residence Certificate, mentioning the date of your departure (not your container’s) and your future address in France
French passport
Proof of legal status in the United States (visa, green card or American passport);
To submit your request, please use the following e-mail address: info.los-angeles-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
For registerd French Citizens, this certificate is free of charge.
- (PDF - 78 kb)
For unregistered French citizens (also applies to those who registered less than 12 months ago)
A signed letter applying for a Change of Residence Certificate, mentioning the date of your departure (not your container’s) and your future address in France
French passport
Proof of legal status in the United States (visa, green card or American passport)
Proof of residency outside France over the 12 previous months (one of the following: 12 latest phone or electricity bills, or a “summary statement” obtainable upon request from these providers; 12 latest paystubs, household insurance or auto insurance; lease; tax return).
The following form, for the 21€ fee, payable in dollars.
- (PDF - 78 kb)
To submit your request, please use the following e-mail address: info.los-angeles-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
For nationals of other countries
A signed letter applying for a Change of Residence Certificate, mentioning the date of your departure (not your container’s) and your future address in France
a copy of your passport (ID page);
all documents pertaining to your actual installation in France for more than 6 months ( (lease agreement for more than 6 months or property deed in France, work contract for more than 6 months)
carte de séjour;
long stay visas, visa with the following indication "carte de séjour à solliciter".
for visa exempt nationalities (Europeas, Icelanders, Suiss...), any other official documents proving your coming settlement in France;
Proof of residency outside France over the 12 previous months (one of the following: 12 latest phone, gas or electricity bills, or a “summary statement” obtainable upon request from these providers; 12 latest lease payment stubs or lease payment summary from landlord or 12 latest monthly paystubs).
The following form, for the 21€ fee, payable in dollars.
- (PDF - 78 kb)
To submit your request, please use the following e-mail address: info.los-angeles-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
For more information, please contact :
INFO SERVICES OF THE GENERAL DIRECTORY OF FRENCH CUSTOMS
Website: www.douane.gouv.fr
Landline local call
From overseas: +33 1 72 40 78 50
précédé du préfixe de sortie .
E-mail: ids@douane.finances.gouv.fr