Cash payments in stores: the limits you need to know
In jewelry and watch stores, customers can certainly pay in cash… but within strict limits. The limit differs between French tax residents and foreign tourists. Here are the rules you need to know.
- Customer tax resident in France (or professional purchase): €1,000 maximum in cash.
- Tourist non-resident, Private purchase: up to 15 000 €.
- No splitting a regulation to go below the ceiling.
- In case of exceeding the limit, the customer and the merchant are jointly responsible.
How much can a customer pay in cash?
1 000 €
When the client has their tax residence in France, or when they are buying for the purposes of a professional activity.
15 000 €
When the customer justifies not being a tax resident in France and is buying in a private capacity (a foreign tourist, for example).
Important clarification: this €15,000 limit applies to work carried out by a professional. subject to AML/CFT — the case of most jewelry and watch dealers who regularly sell valuable pieces. With a non-regulated professional, it is reduced to 10 000 €.
What the texts say (in two lines)
The prohibition on paying in cash beyond a certain amount is included in the’Article L. 112-6 of the Monetary and Financial Code. The thresholds (€1,000 and €15,000) are set by the’article D. 112-3 of the same code. The penalties fall under articles L. 112-7 and L. 112-8. That's the legal basis.
Prohibited: splitting the transaction to fall below the threshold
Artificially manipulating a regulation to stay below the limit is an offense. Cashing in a €3,000 coin in three cash payments of €1,000 on the same day does not make the operation regular: it is the total amount of the debt that counts.
Who risks what?
In case of exceeding the limit, the law provides for a fine the amount of which takes into account the severity, within the limit of 5 % of the sums settled in cash beyond the ceiling. Important point: the The customer and the merchant are jointly responsible. Refusing a cash payment above the limit is therefore also a way to protect oneself.
Not to be confused with AML/CFT
The cash payment limit (€1,000 / €15,000) and the threshold of 10 000 € which triggers AML/CFT obligations are two separate regulations, to be respected at the same time. To understand everything, see our guide AML/CFT: What are the obligations for HBJO professionals?
In Jewely Retail: safeguards at the point of checkout
No need to memorize all the thresholds. In Jewely Retail, safeguards are in place: when a regulation in cash exceeds the authorized limit, the operator is alerted at the time of payment. This helps avoid errors at the checkout, without slowing down the sale.
Cash in with peace of mind with Jewely Retail
Jewely Retail alerts your sales staff when a cash payment exceeds the legal limit, directly at the time of payment.
Sources: Articles L. 112-6 to L. 112-8 and D. 112-3 of the French Monetary and Financial Code; service-public.fr. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Thresholds and procedures may change: check with official sources before making any decisions.