Shopping in Andorra or in France: prices, customs and permitted quantities

Why prices differ

Andorran indirect taxation is lighter than in France on many products. See IGI and VAT.

At the border

Travellers may be checked. Allowances depend on the type of product (fuel, alcohol, tobacco, perfume, electronics).

For a resident

Living in Andorra does not remove the customs rules when returning to France.

Advice

Check with French customs before making large purchases, and keep your receipts.

An order of magnitude for the tax difference

On 1,000 euros of purchases before tax, the general IGI of 4.5 %verified on 09/10/2026 comes to 45 euros, against 200 euros of VAT at the French standard rate of 20 %verified on 09/10/2026. The difference applies to purchases made in Andorra within the limits for bringing goods into France.

The allowances to know

For an adult over 17 yearsverified on 09/10/2026: 300 cigarettesverified on 09/10/2026, 1.5 Lverified on 09/10/2026 of spirits above 22°, 5 Lverified on 09/10/2026 of still wine and 1,000 gverified on 09/10/2026 of coffee. Other goods are admitted up to 900 €verified on 09/10/2026 per traveller (450 €verified on 09/10/2026 for a child), including 300 €verified on 09/10/2026 of foodstuffs. See how much you can bring back and the allowances calculator.

When it is worth it

A regular shop for products heavily taxed in France can pay off, but the cost of the journey, the time and the fuel must be counted. The prices of many everyday products are not lower than in France: compare on a real basket.

The risks

• Exceeding the allowances exposes you to seizure and a fine.
• Border checks are frequent.
• A French resident gets no special advantages: the allowances apply per traveller.