Section VI: Importation

Works imported from a non-EU country must be presented to the customs authorities for customs clearance. After the responsibility stamp has been affixed at the importer's premises, the works are then forwarded to the office of guarantee or approved inspection body for testing and marking except :

a. In the case of works referred to in a and b of

Article 524 bis

. However, these works must bear the responsibility stamp, affixed on the importer's premises;

b. Or if the importer is the beneficiary of an agreement entered into with the customs and indirect rights administration under the conditions set out in the second paragraph of I of

article 535

.

In this case, the works are stamped by the importer, on its premises, with responsibility and guarantee stamps under the conditions laid down by decree in the Conseil d'Etat.

Works with legal titles, manufactured or released for free circulation in another Member State of the European Community or imported from another State party to the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area or from Turkey, already bearing the imprint, on the one hand, a manufacturer's hallmark or a responsibility hallmark and, on the other hand, a title hallmark registered in this State may be marketed on French territory without prior inspection by a French guarantee office or an approved inspection body, as the case may be. The hallmark must be affixed by an independent body or by the competent administration of the State concerned in accordance with standards identical or equivalent to those required in France for the control and certification of the title. The departments responsible for the guarantee publish a list of the Member States or Associated States using systems for the control and certification of precious metal certificates which are equivalent or identical to the French system, as well as a list of the control bodies authorised by these States and the hallmarks they use. However, persons who market them on national territory have the option of presenting these items to the guarantee office or to an approved inspection body to be tested and marked with the French guarantee hallmark. In the absence of one of these marks, these works are subject to the provisions of the first four paragraphs.

When affixing a responsibility hallmark, professionals responsible for importing and introducing works of precious metal into France must deposit their hallmark with the guarantee department prior to any operation.

The following are exempt from the above provisions:

1° Gold, silver and platinum objects belonging to ambassadors and envoys of foreign powers;

2° Gold and platinum jewellery, for the personal use of travellers, and silver works also serving their person, provided that their total weight does not exceed 5 hectograms.