Convoluted legislation in France: what the law says

What the law actually says

Owning a still in France is not illegal. But it's not unrestricted either. Before any purchase, acquisition, or importation of distilling equipment, you must obtain authorization from customs. Without this document, you are breaking the law, even if the still remains in a cupboard.

In this document , Limonadier explains what the law provides, in concrete terms.

The basic rule: Article 306 of the French General Tax Code (CGI)

The General Tax Code is clear. No one may acquire, rent, import or repair a still without prior authorization from the customs administration.

This rule applies to all equipment used for distilling alcohol: columns, coils, cucurbits, and complete kits. The term "portions of equipment" is also used in the text. Therefore, a single coil is all that is affected.

The penalties are set out in Articles 1794 and 1810 of the French General Tax Code (CGI). They can be severe.

Who can obtain this authorization?

By default, the law reserves possession for professionals: declared distilleries, itinerant distillers, essential oil producers, professionals in the chemical or pharmaceutical sector.

For a private individual, authorization is refused unless you can justify a professional use excluding the production of potable alcohol.

In practice, an individual can obtain authorization to distill aromatic plants (lavender, thyme, mint) and produce hydrosols or essential oils. This is the only case accessible without professional status. Customs generally requires a storage facility separate from the residence and a commercial activity related to the declared use.

Becoming a home distiller: the conditions

The small-scale distiller is a unique figure in French law. He distills the fruit of his own harvest to produce eaux-de-vie. To enjoy them properly, discover our liqueur glasses and tulip glasses . There are two types.

The private distiller owns plots of land registered in the land registry (orchard, vineyard). He can distill the produce from these plots, generally in a communal distillery or with a registered traveling distiller. He pays duties and taxes on the alcohol content produced, with a partial exemption on the first 1,000 degrees of pure alcohol.

A professional distiller (itinerant distiller) owns their own still, which is registered with customs. They travel from town to town to distill fruit from private individuals. This status requires specific prefectural authorization, renewable annually.

The "home distiller's privilege" is a total tax exemption on the first proofs of alcohol produced. It has not been transferable since 1960. The last beneficiaries are retired members of the agricultural sector.

Opening a distillery: the steps

First step: submit a still authorization application to customs before any purchase. Once you receive the still, you have five days to declare it (article 308 of the French General Tax Code). It will be stamped and sealed outside of production periods.

From a tax perspective, a distillery falls under the authorized warehousekeeper regime. Excise duties are suspended during production and paid upon release for consumption. This requires accurate inventory accounting and regular production declarations.

For transport, any movement of a still outside your property requires a Simplified Accompanying Document (DSA), in accordance with Article 307 of the French General Tax Code (CGI). Without this document, the transport is illegal.

To contact customs: 0 800 94 40 40 — free, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Summary table

Situation	Authorization required	Accessible to individuals
Plant/essential oil distillation	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Fruit distillation (home distiller)	✅ Yes	✅ Via municipal workshop
Possession of a still without use	✅ Yes	⚠️ Still sealed by customs
Establishment of a commercial distillery	✅ Yes	✅ With authorized warehousekeeper status
Transport of a still on public roads	DSA required	⚠️ Specific procedure

Sample letter for your authorization request

Here is a ready-to-use model for individuals wishing to distill plants (essential oils, hydrosols). Please send it to your local customs office before purchasing.

[First Name Last Name]
[Address]
[Postal code – City]

[City], [date]

To the attention of the Regional Director of Customs and Indirect Taxes
[Address of the customs service in your department]

Subject: Application for authorization to possess a still

Mr. Director,

I am requesting permission to own a still intended exclusively for the distillation of aromatic plants. This apparatus will be used solely for the production of hydrosols and essential oils from plants such as [lavender, thyme, rosemary — to be completed according to your intended use]. No production of potable alcohol will take place.

Awaiting your reply, please accept, Mr. Director, the expression of my distinguished greetings.

[Signature]
[First Name Last Name]

Customs typically responds within two to four weeks. Keep a copy of the authorization received; it must be given to the seller at the time of purchase.

In summary

The regulations are largely unknown. Most infractions stem from purchases made without prior authorization, or from stills received as inheritances without being declared.

The process is simple if you do it in order: authorization first, purchase second, declaration within five days.