Which countries are part of the French Antilles? 

The French Antilles include the following islands: Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy.  

Cases of the overseas departments - Martinique and Guadeloupe

The overseas departments (DOM) of Martinique and Guadeloupe are part of the customs territory of the European Union but are nevertheless considered from a tax point of view as third territories (therefore countries outside the EU), including in their relations with the metropolis.

Thus, trade between each French overseas department and the metropolis (or any other member country of the European Union) is considered, as the case may be, as imports or exports.

The overseas departments have a different tax system than that applied in mainland France and the European Union. Indeed, dock dues and regional dock dues represent a specific tax on products arriving on their territory. These taxes are intended to provide additional financial resources to local authorities in the overseas departments.

Their rates, set by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique and the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, vary from 7 to 15%* for sea dues and they amount to 1.5 or 2.5% for regional sea dues.

_{*Figures given for information only. For some goods, the rates are significantly higher, ranging up to 20, 25 or even 50%}

Specific case of overseas collectivities - Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélémy 

The overseas collectivities (COM) of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélémy enjoy fiscal autonomy and are governed by specific rules. Find out more to plan your trip to Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy. 

Travel to the West Indies: what should be declared? 

Upon your arrival or return to the French Antilles, you will have to declare the goods you have acquired or that have been offered to you (even purchased all taxes included in metropolitan France), when their value or quantities are higher than the thresholds of the franchises indicated below and pay the duties and taxes due.

In view of the above, you can, however, benefit from certain customs and/or tax exemptions, applicable to travelers from or to the French overseas departments.

Please note that some goods are strictly prohibited, check with the customs services before your departure for specific formalities concerning them.

You come from a metropolis or a country of the European Union

Upon arrival or return to the French Antilles, you will have to declare the goods you are transporting and pay the taxes (VAT, dock dues and regional dock dues) on those you have purchased or offered. You will not have to pay any customs duties.

However, you will not have to pay taxes on goods with a value of 1,000 euros or less.
In addition, you will not have to pay taxes on the following goods (purchases or gifts), as long as the quantities imported do not exceed those listed in the table below.

Imported tobacco and alcohol (purchases or gifts)

_{¹ The amount of deductibles is determined by the European Union. It is subject to change during the year.
Persons under the age of 17 may not import duty-free tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
These exemptions may be subject to a proportional assortment within the same category of goods.}

You are coming from a non-EU country

Upon arrival or return to the French Antilles, you will be required to declare the goods you are transporting and pay the duties and taxes (customs duties, VAT, dock dues and regional dock dues) on those you have purchased or offered.
However, you will have no right or tax to pay on goods whose value is less than or equal to:

• EUR 150 for travelers under 15;
• 430 euros for travelers aged 15 and over.

In addition, you will not be entitled to or liable to pay taxes on the following goods (purchases or gifts), provided that the quantities imported do not exceed those listed in the following table.

Imported tobacco and alcohol (purchases or gifts)

_{² Persons under the age of 17 may not import tobacco or alcoholic beverages duty-free.
³ These exemptions may be subject to a proportional assortment within the same category of goods.}

Regarding customs duties, you can opt for flat-rate taxation at 2.5% or taxation specific to each product.

Special formalities for certain goods

The movement of certain particularly sensitive products is subject to specific provisions. The list of these goods has been drawn up with the aim of preserving safety, health, the environment and cultural heritage.
This list includes in particular:

• Animals and plants protected by the Washington Convention and listed in the various annexes to this Convention, whether alive or dead, as well as the parts (skins, feathers, teeth...) and products derived therefrom (leather, handbags, watch bracelet). Trade is strictly prohibited for specimens listed in Annex I to that Convention or in Annex A to Regulation (EC) No 1332/2005. Trade is regulated for other species (to import or export them, you must hold an authorization issued by the regional environmental directorates). Contact a regional environmental directorate at the address below.
• Cultural property. In order to move around the European Union, cultural goods must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture and Communication. To be exported to a third country, cultural goods must be accompanied by an export authorization (or license), issued by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, to be presented, in support of the customs declaration, at a customs office with ECB competence.
• Weapons and ammunition. You can only import and/or export some of these goods by completing specific formalities (obtaining authorizations to import or export war material, weapons, ammunition, in trade with third countries or prior transfer agreements and transfer permits in intra-Community trade).

Certain goods are strictly prohibited:

• Counterfeits that often endanger your safety or that of your children. 
• Trade in specimens listed in Annex I to the Washington Convention or Annex A to Regulation (EC) No 1332/2005 is strictly prohibited (e.g. sea turtles, panda, rhinos, big cats, dolphins, whales, etc. ). Contact a regional environmental directorate at the address below.
• Aniseed spirits not in compliance with French legislation.
• Plants: flowers, plants, etc... (Order of 3 September 1990 amended by Order of 3 December 1990) (Order of the Prefecture of Guadeloupe 96-323 of 10 April 1996) obtain information from the Plant Protection Services of the DAF (Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry - Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry).

Contacts

For any further information, from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, you can contact Infos Douane Service.
You can also contact:

• Regional Directorate of Customs and Indirect Duties of Guadeloupe
  Aisle Maurice Micaux
  97100 Low Earth
  Tel: (33) 05 90 99 45 30
  Email: dr-guadeloupe@douane.finances.gouv.fr
• Raizet Customs Brigade
  Raizet Airport
  Tel: (33) 05 90 21 14 81
• Regional Directorate of Customs and Indirect Duties of Martinique
  Plateau roy-cluny
  PO BOX 630
  97261 Fort de France Cedex
  Tel: (33) 05 96 70 72 72
  Email: dr-martinique@douane.finances.gouv.fr
  Opening hours: 8am to 12pm from Monday to Friday and from 3pm to 5pm on Monday and Thursday
• Regional Directorates for the Environment (DIREN)
  Allée des Lauriers - Circonvallation - BP105 - 97102 LOWER LAND CEDEX
  Tel: (33) 05 90 99 35 60
  Fax: (33) 05 90 99 35 65
  Email: DIREN@guadeloupe.ecologie.gouv.fr