Can I bring Ginseng to France?
Ginseng→France
⚠️ Allowed with Conditions
About Ginseng
If you want to bring Ginseng as a snack or souvenir, be mindful of agricultural bans at your destination. For biosecurity reasons, many countries prohibit untreated Ginseng. Choosing commercially packaged products with ingredient lists is highly recommended. 💡 Tip: If unsure about a food item, "Declare it" to avoid fines. Customs won't fine you for declared items even if they confiscate them.
General Rules Apply
We don't have specific rules for Ginseng yet. Below are the general rules for Plants and Seeds that apply to Ginseng.
✅ Declaration Requirements
✅Required
📌 Quick Summary
🔗 Official Information Source:
Last Updated:October 14, 2026
Reliability:
📝 Important Notes
- •⚠️ CONDITIONAL: Plants and plant products arriving from outside the EU need a phytosanitary certificate.
- •📋 Quick Summary:
- •Certificate: Mandatory from the first specimen when arriving in the EU from a non-EU country, except from Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland. Obtain it before departure from the plant protection authority of the departure country and show it to customs if checked on arrival
- •Plants for planting: Must also be presented at a border control post for phytosanitary inspection on arrival in the EU; the inspectors issue a document (DSCE-PP) to show to customs together with the certificate
- •Without the documents: Plants without a valid certificate, and plants for planting not accompanied by the certificate and the DSCE-PP, are seized and destroyed
- •Exempt from all controls and documents: Bananas, coconuts, durian, dates and pineapples, with no quantity limit (Vietnamese durian above 5 kg fresh or 2 kg not fresh is subject to import health control; an official certificate issued in the non-EU country and presentation at the border control post of the first point of arrival in the EU are then required)
- •Protected species: A CITES import permit must be shown to customs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ginseng need to be vacuum-sealed for entry?
Vacuum sealing can significantly reduce the risk of confiscation, especially for meat or dried products. Additionally, Ginseng with complete commercial labeling and ingredient lists is more likely to pass inspection.
What should I consider when bringing Ginseng?
The most important thing when bringing Ginseng is to confirm if it exceeds the duty-free allowance or declaration threshold of your destination. It's recommended to keep purchase receipts and ensure Ginseng is in its original packaging for easier customs inspection. If the Ginseng is of high value, always use the red declaration channel.
❓ More Questions
Can I bring plants to France from outside the EU?
YES, with a phytosanitary certificate, mandatory from the first specimen (except from Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland). Plants without a valid certificate are seized and destroyed.
Do plants for planting need anything more than the certificate?
YES. Plants for planting must also be presented at a border control post on arrival in the EU for phytosanitary inspection. The inspectors issue a document (DSCE-PP) that is shown to customs together with the certificate.
Which plants can I bring without any documents?
Only bananas, coconuts, durian, dates and pineapples, with no quantity limit. Vietnamese durian above 5 kg fresh or 2 kg not fresh is subject to import health control. In that case an official certificate issued in the non-EU country and presentation at the border control post of the first point of arrival in the EU are required.
Ginseng in other countries
Complete France Entry Guide
Entry process, prohibited items, duty-free allowances, and more
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