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!
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to France through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to France. Whether you are an everyday shopper or a business, you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to France
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Lyon, FR
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
Nice, FR
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Marseille, FR
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
Paris, FR
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
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.
Types 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.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
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.
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Documents Only - Business Cards
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 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
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: 30 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: 30 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
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)
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)
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: 30 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
Samples
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.
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: 30 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
Repairs
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
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: 30 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
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)
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
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: 30 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 / Sold
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?
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: 30 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
Required 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
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.
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
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:
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%
Chocolate 0%
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
