Purchasing Covid Test kits in Paris

Not France, but a couple of years ago I brought some tests home from England. They were only £2 each. I never considered declaring them. The days of filling out a customs form before arriving home from Europe is a thing of the past .

We were able to get six free through the state of Minnesota. Also, I see you are from WA, I saw stacks of them at various places in Seattle, including the public library when I was there last fall.

I did bring some to Europe several times and flying seem to have no impact on them.

EDITED TO ADD: Some health insurances cover them

Robintz, how much are they where you live? I see them around here for $10. I can think of a lot more things worth bringing home than kits.

We used to get them free....even our local libraries carried them. Plus the ones from the state/government. Harder to find now and locally they're about $15-20 for a 2-pack. Just figured if they were super cheap it might be worth getting some...

Too bad I went to the pharmacy last night instead of this evening. I could have easily asked current price.

Our test kits have expired, and we don't have time to get more before our trip. Well, Walgreen's has them for about $20; I'll wait.

Your health insurance probably covers the cost.

KD- we test anytime we have symptoms or have had a known (close) exposure if we're going to be around others are at higher risk. And since it can sometimes take multiple days before testing positive, it's nice to have multiple tests handy for repeated testing. I had a friend who ended up testing positive for a LONG time and went through an awful lot of tests waiting for that negative result.

Our test kits have expired

The expiration dates on many test kits have been extended - there may be info on how to check in the kit's documentation. Othwise search online.

I’ve never planned to get Covid, but I’ve gotten it twice. I’m fully vaccinated. Both times I was in Europe. In 2022 I tested positive in Edinburgh and in 12/23 I tested positive in Germany. Thankfully I had brought some tests with me since I took several on each trip. I was fortunate that I had very mild cases with less symptoms than a cold.

What about the liquid vials the test kits contain. Are they exempt from the rules on liquids at airport security screening?

Robintz, that would be me too. Last May, in Paris, positive for 12 days. Knowing I was still infectious guided my activity of mask wearing, particularly on the flight home (Business Class in the very front seat so was able to have some distance from others). Unfortunately I had a rough version and felt quite unwell for 6 days which impacted all my plans for Paris. It was disappointing. We still bring tests when we travel (and we still have room for chocolate too); if I’m unwell I prefer to know what I have to the extent possible.

They cost 2.50€ more or less in France. They aren’t too common anymore since most of us in Europe have been super exposed. I bought a couple two weeks ago. We have a bad allergy season this year, so you may end up having to test.

Yes, just buy them here.
Un test rapid Covid, they’ll understand you.

What about the liquid vials the test kits contain.

I packed a box containing 2 tests in my carry-on and security didn’t care. I figured that if they flagged it, I could open the box and put the tiny plastic vial of liquid in my 3-1-1 bag.

I have been taking a box with 2 tests, a thermometer, and about a 3 day supply of mucinex on each of my post-pandemic trips. I got sick on one of my 3 trips and had a fever and really needed the cough medicine. I was glad to have those supplies so that I didn’t need to find a pharmacy the day I felt terrible.

With regard to the original question, I am not sure why you’d want to bother to bring kits home. I can think of much better souvenirs :)

We took 8 tests with us to France in late March, and we have previously taken them on domestic flights, and they sailed right through TSA--I think the amount of liquid is too small to register. I had taken the kits out of the boxes and packed them in a plastic bag so I could move them into our 3-1-1 bag if needed. Fortunately we never needed them, but I plan to take some on our upcoming trip to Switzerland.

Take two from home-I believe pharmacies have some in stock. I've traveled with test kits for the last two years internationally and TSA doesn't care. Spend your trip enjoying the sites-not trying to run around finding tests.

I only used one test kit as I felt pretty lousy a few days after landing. Turns out it was just a bit of altitude sickness and Montezuma's revenge/

markcw, I did check to see if the useful life of our test kits had been extended, but alas, ours had indeed expired.

Thanks for the tip, though.