Shipping to France from the US
From Paris to Provence — ship your belongings to France with complete Douanes customs clearance handled by our team.
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How We Ship to France
Our France service provides comprehensive door-to-door shipping from anywhere in the US to any address in France. We pack your belongings, handle all export and import documentation, ship via air or ocean freight, clear French customs, and deliver to your French home.
French homes — particularly apartments in Paris and older buildings — can be compact with narrow staircases and small elevators. We recommend measuring doorways and stairwells at your new address before deciding what furniture to ship. Our team can provide practical advice based on extensive experience delivering to French addresses.
We advise starting your shipping arrangements at least 6–8 weeks before your planned move date. All customs forms are prepared in French as required by the Douanes.
Air Freight vs Ocean Freight to France
Choose the shipping method that works best for your timeline and budget. Many clients use both — air freight for essentials and ocean freight for the bulk of their belongings.Air Freight
Essential items, documents, and personal effects needed right away
Air freight to Paris CDG, Lyon, or Nice airports. Includes Douanes customs clearance and delivery to your French address.
Ocean Freight
Furniture, household goods, larger shipments
Ocean freight to Le Havre (northern France/Paris region) or Marseille (southern France). Includes customs clearance with déménagement relief and inland delivery. LCL and FCL options.
Our Most Popular Packages for France
Choose the package that best fits your move to France.
Student Package
Budget-friendly shipping for students studying abroad
[Price TBD]
4-6 weeks (ocean) or 7-14 days (air freight option available)- 5-15 standard boxes at student-friendly pricing
- Door-to-door service including campus and student housing delivery
- Customs clearance handled for you
- Packing guidelines designed for students
- Insurance options for electronics and valuables
Mini Move Package
Co-load and partial container options for larger relocations
[Price TBD]
5-8 weeks depending on destination- 30-80 boxes plus small furniture items
- Co-load / partial container for cost efficiency
- Door-to-door service from the US to Ireland, UK, or Europe
- Professional packing services available as an add-on
- Full customs clearance and duty relief assistance
Full Container
20ft or 40ft dedicated containers for complete household moves
[Price TBD]
4-8 weeks depending on destination- Choice of 20ft container (~1,170 cubic feet) or 40ft container (~2,390 cubic feet)
- Exclusive use — your belongings only, no co-loading
- Container delivered to your US address for loading
- Door-to-door service to any destination worldwide
- Full customs clearance and documentation
What You Can Ship to France
Commonly Shipped Items
- • Household furniture and furnishings
- • Personal clothing and shoes
- • Books, photos, and documents
- • Electronics (France uses 230V Type C/E — check dual-voltage)
- • Kitchen items and cookware
- • Bedding and linens
- • Children's belongings
- • Sporting equipment
- • Art and collectibles
Restricted & Prohibited Items
- • Alcohol and tobacco
- • Firearms (strict French regulations)
- • Perishable food
- • Hazardous materials
- • Plants and soil
- • New, unused items (may attract duty)
- • Commercial goods
Déménagement (Relocation) Relief for France
This exempts your personal effects and household goods from customs duties and VAT when transferring your permanent residence to France from outside the EU.
Not sure if you qualify?
Contact us for a free assessment. We will review your situation and let you know exactly what to expect at customs.
Ask Us About Déménagement (Relocation) ReliefCustoms & Documentation for France
France follows EU customs regulations for importing personal effects under the déménagement (relocation) relief — the French implementation of EU Transfer of Residence relief under Regulation 1186/2009.
Key Requirements
- → You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months
- → Items must have been owned and used for at least 6 months
- → You must be relocating your normal residence to France
- → Goods must be for personal use only
Documents Needed
- → Detailed inventory (liste détaillée) of all items
- → Passport
- → Proof of overseas residence for 12+ months
- → Proof of new French address
- → Completed customs declaration
Important Notes
- ! All customs documentation is prepared in French as required by the Douanes — we handle this
- ! Some documents may need to be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) — we can advise
- ! City Post Express works directly with the French Douanes to ensure smooth clearance
- ! The déménagement process can take slightly longer than some other EU countries — plan accordingly
Official Resources
Shipping Tips for France
Check access to your French home
Parisian apartments especially can have tiny elevators or none at all, narrow staircases, and tight doorways. Measure before you ship large furniture.
Ship to the right port
We route to Le Havre for northern France and the Paris region, or Marseille for southern France — minimising inland delivery time and cost.
Start early — French customs can be slower
The Douanes déménagement process sometimes takes longer than other EU countries. Build extra time into your shipping schedule.
French electrical plugs are Type C/E
Different from UK/Ireland (Type G). Modern electronics are dual-voltage — larger US appliances will need a transformer.