Guide to Sending Parcels to France

Is there a more fabulous place than France? Mais non!

The winding roads, the hidden vineyards and a beautiful, expensive cottage designed so Marie Antoinette could see 'how the other half live'. France is an incredible country with a certain, well, je ne sais quois!

The sources of information on how to ship to France from Canada come directly from the Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, the French Post, and number of other government sources.1

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Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to France


IconDisclaimer

While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is important to consult a licensed broker in France before shipping any goods.

Full tracking information for parcels to France is available with Secureship
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Dec 11, 2024
8:49 am
Lyon, FR
Delivered
Dec 10, 2024
7:18 am
Nice, FR
In transit
Dec 9, 2024
9:03 pm
Marseille, FR
International Clearance
Dec 9, 2024
8:14 am
Paris, FR
In transit
Dec 9, 2024
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Dec 8, 2024
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan

IconTypes of Shipments

Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.

Shipping Documents Only to AlbaniaDocuments Only

Most documents can be shipped to France duty-free. There are restrictions on what can be shipped duty-free. If you exceed these restrictions, then tax and duty becomes payable. Some restrictions are shown below in the table.

Document Type Restriction
Business cards Up to 15
Greetings cards and invitations Must be personalised. If blank, an invoice is required.
Stationery Must be personalised

For more information on restricted documents, click here.

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

Sample Commercial Invoice for Documents Only

Ship To Invoice
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Paris
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Documents Only - Business Cards

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Each Documents Only : 15 Business Cards

CA $10
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Documents Only
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $10
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Shipping Gifts to AlbaniaShipping Gifts

Gift shipments to France valued at less than €45 (about $67 CDN) are exempt from duties and taxes, provided the following conditions are met:

  • The words "Gift Shipment" or "Unsolicited Gift" are included on the commercial invoice (see sample)
  • A detailed description of each item is provided
  • The value is declared on the commercial invoice
  • Shipment is from an individual to individual

NOTE: Shipping a gift to an individual to their work address will cause an issue - it'll be seen as a commercial shipment and will not be exempt from duties and taxes.

Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts

Ship To Invoice
de Gaulle Family in Marseille
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Marseille
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Each Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set

CA $79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Gifts
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge


Sending Multiple Gifts to France

You may send multiple gifts in one parcel, BUT the total value within the parcel must be €45 or less if you wish to avoid paying duty and taxes. See sample.

Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts

Ship To Invoice
de Gaulle Family in Nice
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Nice
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Each Unsolicited Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set

CA $39.99
1 Each Unsolicited Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket

CA $49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Gifts
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a14741-les-envois-non-commerciaux-adresses-de-particulier-a-particulier


Personal Effects

Customs officials in France are very strict about what are classed as personal effects and how they are imported.

If your package is checked by officials and it doesn’t meet the requirements, you could be fined a 20% tax based on the estimated value of the goods plus the shipping costs.

Moving Temporarily

Students

Personal items that are exempt from customs duties providing you have owned them for at least 6 months before sending them to France.

Personal items include:

  • You have owned or used the items for at least six months before sending them to France.
  • Clothing and accessories, such as shoes and hats
  • Educational materials, such as books, paper, computers
  • Used household furnishings that a student would typically have
Moving Temporarily (Student) - Personal Effects Checklist
  • Clearly indicate "Personal Effects" in the "General Description" or "Remarks" section on the commercial invoice
  • Proof of enrollment
  • Two signed and dated copies of a detailed estimated inventory (packaging list)
  • Include 3 copies of the Declaration of Duty Exemption/Entry of Personal Effects (if you wish to import your items duty-free from outside of the EU)
Non-Students

No information is currently available at this time.

Moving permanently

If you are moving to France after being in a non-EU country for more than a year, you may bring your personal effects into the country tax and duty-free.

The only condition is that you have used your personal belongings for at least six months before becoming a resident of France.

NOTE: The exemption does not apply to alcohol, tobacco, and tobacco products.

Moving Permanently - Personal Effects checklist
  • 3 copies of the Commercial Invoice
    • Each item within the package must be listed on the commercial invoice
    • Give each item a fair market value.
  • The items must be at least six months old and can’t look brand new … otherwise taxes and duties will be payable.
  • Copy of valid passport with the photo page
  • Copy of Visa, Residence and Work Permit (requirement may vary according to nationality)
  • Complete Formulaire No. 10700: Declaration of Duty Exemption/Entry of Personal Effects

If you need any information on shipping personal effects, you will need to contact a French Customs Broker. You can find a list here.

Sources:
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10793-effets-et-objets-personnels
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a14707-transferring-your-primary-residence-to-france

Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects

Ship To Invoice
Lyon Community Centre
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Lyon
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
5 Pairs Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes

IN $40.00
1 Each Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket

CA $478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Personal Effects
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Shipping Promotional Material to the NetherlandsFood, Chocolate, Candies

Food and food items like chocolate and candy can be shipped to France providing they follow the rules and standards established by the European Union.

What you can send

You can send non-perishable foods providing:

  • They were bought in a store
  • They have a best-before-date on the label
  • The best-before-date is more than 6 months away
  • The label lists all the ingredients

Examples of non-perishable foods that can be sent include:

  • Canned goods
  • Herbs and spices providing they are in sealed containers
  • Chocolates and candy
  • Jams and other preserves

Do not send

Perishable foods such as:

  • Homemade items or food removed from the manufacturer’s packaging
  • Foods with a shelf-life of less than 6 months, for e.g. fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish
  • Open packages of food
  • Foods without a list of ingredients on the package

Sources:
https://www.laposte.fr/envoyer/envoi-colis-alimentaire
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a14739-envois-de-marchandises-sanitaires-et-phytosanitaires-et-legislation-alimentaire
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10913-restriction-de-circulation-ou-interdiction-de-certaines-marchandises

Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies

Ship To Invoice
Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Bordeaux
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Box Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)

CA $20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Permanent / Sold
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Shipping Promotional Material to the NetherlandsSamples

Commercial samples are those that can only be used for demonstration purposes. The aim is to encourage people to place orders of the samples, not sell them. Samples can be imported into France duty-free (you may still pay taxes) provided certain conditions are met. French Customs recommends that you ship samples via an ATA Carnet.

To send samples tax and duty-free to France, the following conditions apply:

  • The words "Commercial Sample" are clearly stated on the commercial invoice (see sample)
  • They are imported by a business for the purpose of creating orders;
  • The samples are similar to or look like the goods for sale;
  • The samples are marked in a way that stops them from being sold. For example, they may be lacerated, perforated, defaced, or marked with indelible ink;
  • special arrangements must be made with a local broker;
  • samples must be re-exported within one year; and
  • a deposit will be held by the government as security

NOTE: French Customs will assign a commercial value for calculating duty and VAT when the package enters France. This means you may end up paying more or less tax than you were expecting.

Sources:
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10907-a-l-importation-et-a-l-exportation-des-colis-les-regles-a-suivre-
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020782407&categorieLien=id

Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample

Ship To Invoice
Toulouse Book Store
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Toulouse
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Box Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.

CA $20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Commercial Sample
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Shipping Promotional Material to the NetherlandsAdvertising Material

Advertising material includes items that are handed out to promote products or services. Advertising items include:

  • Catalogues
  • Price lists
  • Advertising posters
  • Calendars
  • Photographs

Advertising material can enter France without incurring duties or taxes. In order to qualify, the following conditions must be met:

  • the words "Promotional Material - Not for Resale" is stated on the commercial invoice in the general description of goods
  • Include the correct Harmonized System (HS) code to avoid paying unnecessary duties and taxes

Sources:
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020782407&categorieLien=id

Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material

Ship To Invoice
Strasbourg Tradeshow
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Strasbourg
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Each Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.

CA $163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Promotional Material
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Shipping Promotional Material to the NetherlandsRepairs

If you are shipping an item to France to have repair work done, then the reason for shipping should be clearly noted on the commercial invoice.

Be sure to include the original Customs documentation with the shipment.

Customs duties and taxes may be payable on the items when they arrive in France for repair, as well as on the value of the repair when the goods arrive back in Canada.

Items Under Warranty

For items that aren’t under warranty or the warranty has expired, you would have to pay duties and taxes on the repair cost. Here’s a breakdown of how that works:

  • Duty is applied to the total cost of the repair; and
  • 20% Goods and Service Tax (VAT) is applied to the total cost of the repair + shipping cost + Insurance Amount

Sending Product for Repair to France:

If you’re sending your package for repair to France, include the following information on the parcel:

  • The words "REPAIR & RETURN" are stated on the commercial invoice under General Description or Remarks
  • Serial/Product number must be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section on the commercial invoice
  • Copy of Repair Contract included with all your export documentation

NOTE: Goods that are no longer under warranty for repair may require duties and taxes to be paid when the shipment returns to Canada.

Returning Product After Repairs are Completed:

If your product has been repaired in Canada and is being returned back to France, ensure to do the following:

  • Write "REPAIR & RETURN" on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section
  • Indicate the value of the product INCLUDING the Cost of the Repair under the Detailed Description of Goods section
  • Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to France

NOTE: If you don’t have the original tracking information or documentation then the recipient may be charged duties and taxes on the shipment.

Repair Checklist
  • Commercial Invoice must clearly state under the General Description or Remarks section the following: "REPAIR & RETURN" and include the estimated time of return
  • Include repair contract with shipment
  • Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section

Sources:
http://douane.gouv.fr/articles/a12331-tva-regime-applicable-aux-biens-reimportes
https://www.corintax.com/news/vat-goods-returned-to-france-for-repair-or-processing/

Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair

Ship To Invoice
Lille Repair Shop
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Lille
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 Each Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00

US $163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Warranty Repair
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Temporary Imports / Exports for shipments to the NetherlandsTemporary Imports

Temporary importation of certain goods into France, without incurring duties or taxes, is allowed for a period of up to 12 months. Make sure to clearly indicate the return date on the commercial invoice.

Goods that are often part of a temporary import include:

  • Items that will be used or displayed at a fair, exhibition or event
  • Scientific and professional equipment
  • Commercial samples
  • Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring, producing or manufacturing
  • Materials and goods to be used for entertainment or during a public exhibition such as a trade show booth
  • Equipment required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods and equipment

Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import

In order to import your goods duty and tax free into France, you can pick from 1 of the 3 Temporary Import Methods listed below.

Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More details below.


Option # Temporary Import Method Risk of paying
1 Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided) High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2 Commercial Invoice + Customs Declaration with French customs done through DELTA, the online service for customs clearance Very Low
3 Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial invoice only


This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.

NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn’t guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won’t charge any duties and taxes


2. CI + Online Customs Form

In addition to completing a Commercial Invoice (CI) you can also complete the French Customs form for temporary imports through the Delta website.

FYI - Customs clearance provided by the major carriers such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. do not offer this service.


3. CI + an ATA Carnet

This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of the country. It’s also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.

In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.

ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. You can however, contact your local chamber of commerce and they will be able to guide you along. You can also find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/


In addition to 1 of the 3 items above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and GST free exemption:

  • The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
  • Stay no longer than 12 months in France

NOTE:
  • If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
  • Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically cannot clear goods of temporary nature)
Temporary Imports Checklist
  • Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
  • The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
  • Stay no longer than the period listed above
  • Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
  • Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
  • Any above listed items not listed in this checklist

Sources:
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10858-regime-particulier-l-admission-temporaire
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/specific-use_en
https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/france/market-facts-faits-sur-le-marche/7685.aspx?lang=eng

 

Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports

Ship To Invoice
Paris Tradeshow
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Lille
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
1 box Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment

CA $1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Temporary Imports
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Permanent Goods / Sold To an individual or business within NetherlandsPermanent/Sold Goods

Occasional Shipper to France

If you ship occasionally to France (i.e. items you sold on eBay), there isn’t too much you need to do. You will need to:

  • Include 3 copies of the Commercial Invoice with your shipment
  • Provide a detailed description of the goods on the Commercial Invoice (in order to avoid customs delays).

NOTES: No EORI number needed if you are shipping as a private individual

Regular Shipper to France

If you regularly ship sold goods into France, we recommend you consult with a licensed customs broker in France. There may be some requirement that you will need to comply with such as obtaining an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

CE Markings for Shipments to France

As France is part of the EU (European Union), certain products require CE (Conformité Européene) markings to be allowed entry into the country. This is generally for electronic equipment or Medical equipment. More information can be obtained here.

Do I need a CE marking in addition to my commercial invoice and other standard export documents?



Sources:
https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/france/market-facts-faits-sur-le-marche/7684.aspx?lang=eng.
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a13068-economic-operator-registration-and-identification-eori-number
https://en.portal.santandertrade.com/international-shipments/france/customs-procedures

Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods

Ship To Invoice
Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
1 Avenue Montaigne
Lille
France

Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera

Invoice number:

123456MGEP4916926


Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023
QTY Description of Goods C/O SubTotal
15 Each Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.

CA $132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Permanent/Sold
Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge

IconRequired Documents

Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming. So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.

Document Type When? Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading Always required This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels). These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.

When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.

B13a Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands

Learn more about the B13a form here.
Certificate of Origin (COO) Infrequently required

Allows a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with France. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.

When an item with a COO is imported into France, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Infrequently required

Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet Infrequently required

Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.

See Temporary import section
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Infrequently required Shows that the shipment is insured
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
Packing list Infrequently required No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
  • The exporter, importer and transport company
  • Date of issue
  • Number of freight invoice
  • Type and number of packages
  • Contents of each package
  • Marks and numbers
  • Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Personal Effects - Formulaire no. 10070*03 Infrequently Used for Unaccompanied Personal Effects. The form may be accessed by clicking below.
Declaration of Duty Exemption/Entry of Personal Effects

If moving to France permanently, then the form Attestation de non-cession must be completed.
Attestation de non-cession

Prohibited & Restricted Imports

France’s list of restricted and prohibited items is extensive, so it's essential to check the official customs website before shipping or mailing anything to France.

Here’s an abbreviated list of items that are restricted and prohibited from shipping to France.


Prohibited items

The short list of prohibited items includes:

  • Asbestos
  • Animal skins, ivory, furs
  • Counterfeits
  • Introduction of Plants & Seeds
  • Baby bottles made from Bisphenol A
  • Goods containing dangerous chemicals, such as mercury thermometers
  • Certain types of nuts, for example, brazil nuts in their shell
  • Self-defence sprays

Restricted Items

Some of the items that have import restrictions to France include:

  • Footwear
  • Meat and animal products
  • Honey, beeswax and other apiary products
  • Plant & Plant products
  • Live Animals
  • Slot machines and other gaming machines
  • Textiles
  • Cosmetics
  • Drugs (Prescription and Non-Prescription)

Sources:
http://ee.france.fr/en/information/customs-rules
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10913-restriction-de-circulation-ou-interdiction-de-certaines-marchandises
http://www.upu.int/uploads/tx_sbdownloader/listCustomsProhibitedArticlesEn.pdf
https://crossborder.fedex.com/us/assets/prohibited-restricted/france/index.shtml

Duty & Taxes

Import duty and taxes in France are calculated based on the sum of the Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping costs). This is known as CIF.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs

Using the CIF Value, you can predict how much Duty & Tax the recipient would have to pay the French government to receive their goods.

Thresholds

Some countries provide a Duty & Tax Threshold (i.e. de minimis) which means that below a certain CIF amount, no duties or taxes are charged on the import of that shipment.

NOTE: Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and eau de toilette are always subject to VAT, duties, and excise taxes.

Currency Euro (EUR) - €
TAX (VAT) 20% - Almost all products
10% - For some services
5% - Agricultural and food products
2.1% - Medicine
Duty Exemption
(De minimis value)
€150
Tax Exemption
(De minimis value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Threshold Method CIF
Tax & Duty Calc Method CIF
Duties on Imports
  • Candy0%
  • Chocolate0%
  • Spirits and Wines0%
  • Tobacco0%
  • Books 10%
  • Documents0%
  • Video Games & Consoles0%
  • Computers & Laptops0%
  • Tablets0%
  • Mobiles0%
  • Cameras0%
  • Accessories for Electronics5%
  • Coats10%
  • Beauty Products & Cosmetics0%
  • Jewellery0-4%
  • Shirts & Pants10%
  • Home Appliances2%
  • Toys0%
  • Sports Equipment3%

NOTES: The numbers above are based on the item’s Country of Origin (manufacture) being a part of the Most-Favored Nation (MFN). If the Country of Origin is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), then it is part of the MFN and hence gets the above Duty rates. Please keep in mind that we do make an effort to keep the numbers above updated, but if exact numbers are needed, please contact a customs broker at the destination company

Sources:
https://customsdutyfree.com/france-customs-and-import-duty-tax-calculation-method/

IconFrance Shipping Insurance

You can purchase insurance through Secureship, and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.

Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment, our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.

Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn't meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.

Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:

  • Personal belongings
  • Antiques
  • Artwork
  • Liquids (including alcohol)
  • Televisions
  • Jewellery in excess of $500
  • Perishable goods
  • Glass or Ceramic
  • And many more items

For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.

Questions about Shipping to France

How do I figure out shipping costs to France?

In order to figure out the cost of a shipment to France, you must first know the following information: delivery address information, weight, dimensions. Other factors will also affect the price such as delivery options, insurance and service level.

You can visit our online estimate tool to get real-time rates on shipments to France. Keep in mind that the more accurate your information is, the more detailed your quote will be.


How much does it cost to courier an envelope from Canada to France?

The cost to courier an envelope from Canada to France will depend on the carrier you select, as well as the service level you choose. The faster your envelope needs to be there, the higher the cost will be. Find competive shipping rates through different carriers such as FedEx, UPS, Purolator & Canada Post by using the Secureship platform.

You can use our multi-carrier online shipping platform to find the service, rate and carrier of your choice to send your envelope from Canada to France.


How much does it cost to send a package or box internationally to France?

The shipping cost of a box or a package to France will depend on the destination city, size, weight, service level, insurance and any additional service options.

The most effective way to find the price to send a box from Canada to France is to get a real-time quote by using our estimate tool.


What is the cheapest way to ship a package to France?

The cheapest way to ship a package to France is to use a rate shopping platform like Secureship. You have access to multiple trusted carriers to choose from while comparing different prices and service levels. Above all, you will be able to save over 50% off the carrier published rates.

Find the cheapest way to ship your package to France through Secureship by visiting our instant online shipping cost calculator!


Does USPS ship to France?

Yes, USPS (not to be confused with UPS listed below) does ship to France with some restrictions. Their services range from 1-10 business days for many major markets. The actual number of days will vary according to the origin location and customs delays.

You can find out more by visiting this link: https://postcalc.usps.com/


How long does it take to ship to France from Canada?

You can have your parcels picked up and delivered between 2-5 business days through the express carriers available on the Secureship platform. More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2 months to complete the delivery.

Find out how fast the Secureship trusted carriers can get your shipment delivered to France by getting a quote now.


Is there Economy/Overnight shipping to France?

Economy shipping options to France are available with the carriers on our system with delivery times ranging from 3-6 business days. There is no Overnight shipping services to France however, there are express services that offer delivery within as little as 2 business days.

The delivery times provided by the carrier are based on ideal conditions and do not take into account weather, customs, or other conditions beyond the carrier's control.

Visit our shipping estimate tool to find all the delivery options and costs available to France. As a bonus, if you ship your package with Secureship, you can save over 50% on the cost of shipping due to our group buying discount.


Who ships envelopes or small boxes to France from Canada

There are a variety of carriers that provide shipping services for Envelopes and Boxes to France from Canada including FedEx, UPS, Purolator, DHL, Aramex and a few more.

The cost and delivery time can vary wildly between all the carriers that offer these services. To make things easier for you, we've created an online shipping estimate tool that will help you get all the Express, Priority and Economy delivery options and prices to France.