Moving to France from the US — Complete Shipping Guide

Why Americans Are Moving to France in Record Numbers

Every year, thousands of Americans relocate across the Atlantic to start a new chapter in France. At City Post Express, we have helped families, retirees, remote workers, and professionals ship their household goods to France for over 25 years. We know first-hand why people make this move and what it takes to do it right.

France consistently ranks among the top destinations for American expats, and the reasons are compelling. If you are seriously considering moving to France from the US, here is what draws people there:

• World-class healthcare: France’s public healthcare system (Securite Sociale) is among the best globally, with low out-of-pocket costs once you are enrolled.
• Quality of life: The 35-hour work week, generous vacation time, and emphasis on joie de vivre attract professionals tired of the American pace.
• Retirement appeal: Affordable rural properties, excellent food and wine, and a mild southern climate give retirees an unbeatable lifestyle at a fraction of the cost.
• Education: Public universities charge minimal tuition, often under 400 euros per year, making France attractive for students and families alike.
• Remote work visas: France’s digital nomad and Talent Passport visas have made it easier than ever for Americans to work remotely from French cities.
• Central location: Museums, architecture, cuisine, and a geographic position that puts all of Europe within easy reach.

Whether you are relocating to France from the USA for a corporate role in Paris, retiring to Provence, or pursuing studies in Lyon, the shipping logistics remain the same. This guide covers shipping methods, French customs regulations, costs, visas, and settling into daily life.

How to Ship Your Belongings to France: All Your Options

Choosing the right shipping method is the single biggest decision you will make when moving to France from the US. Your choice determines cost, transit time, and how much you can bring.

Ocean Freight: The Most Popular Method

Ocean freight is the go-to method for full household moves to France. It is cost-effective and can handle everything from furniture and appliances to vehicles. Most of our US-to-France shipments sail into the Port of Le Havre, France’s largest container port, located on the Normandy coast roughly 200 kilometers northwest of Paris. Shipments destined for southern France may route through the Port of Marseille-Fos instead.

FCL (Full Container Load) gives you an exclusive container. Your belongings are loaded, sealed, and not opened until they reach France. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares space with other shipments, which saves money but adds time for consolidation at both ends.

Shipments from the East Coast (New York, New Jersey, Baltimore) typically arrive at Le Havre in 3 to 4 weeks. West Coast departures (Los Angeles, Oakland) take 4 to 5 weeks due to longer routing through the Panama Canal or around the Cape.

Air Freight: The Fastest Option

Air freight is the fastest way to get your belongings to France, with delivery in 5 to 10 business days. It is ideal for time-sensitive essentials such as important documents, a few boxes of clothing, electronics, or items you need immediately upon arrival.

Many of our clients use a combined approach: ship the bulk of their household via ocean freight and send a few priority boxes by air. This way, you have essentials when you land and the rest follows within weeks.

International Mini Moves

If you are shipping household goods to France but do not have enough for a full container, say 10 to 50 boxes and a few pieces of furniture, our international mini moves service is designed for exactly this. It offers flat-rate pricing and full door-to-door service, providing a middle ground between LCL and a full container.

What Does It Cost to Move to France from the US?

The cost of moving overseas depends on several variables. Here is what drives pricing for a US-to-France shipment and how you can budget accurately.

Key Cost Factors

• Volume and weight: Larger shipments cost more overall, but the cost per cubic foot decreases with FCL containers.
• Origin and destination: East Coast departures are cheaper to ship from than West Coast. Delivery to Paris or Le Havre costs less than rural Dordogne or the Pyrenees due to inland trucking distances.
• Shipping method: Air freight costs 4 to 6 times more per pound than ocean freight. Choose ocean for bulk, air for urgency.
• Packing services: Professional packing adds $300 to $1,500 depending on scope, but it protects items during transit and satisfies customs inspection requirements.
• Insurance: We recommend all-risk marine insurance, typically 2 to 3 percent of declared value, covering damage, loss, and theft.
• Customs clearance: Our flat-rate quotes include customs clearance on the French side, so there are no hidden broker fees or surprise charges at the port.

Estimated Total Costs: US to France

For the cheapest way to ship overseas, the key strategies are: declutter aggressively before packing, choose ocean freight over air, and book during off-peak months (January through March) when container rates tend to be lowest.

French Customs Regulations: Duties, the Franchise Douaniere, and the Transfer of Residence Exemption

Understanding customs clearance for international shipping to France is critical. The good news: if you are relocating permanently, most of your household goods enter France duty-free under the EU Transfer of Residence regulation, known in French as the franchise douaniere pour changement de residence.

This exemption is a major financial benefit. Without it, you could face EU customs duties of 2 to 12 percent plus 20 percent French TVA (value-added tax) on every item. With the exemption properly applied, your used household goods enter tax-free.

Eligibility for the Duty-Free Import Exemption

To qualify for the changement de residence (Transfer of Residence) exemption under French and EU customs law, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You are transferring your primary residence to France.
• You have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before the move.
• Your household goods have been owned and used for at least 6 months prior to shipping.
• You must import your goods within 12 months of establishing your residence in France.
• The imported goods must remain your property and not be sold, lent, hired out, or given away for 12 months after import. If you dispose of them within this period, applicable duties and TVA become payable.

Required Documents for French Customs (Douanes Francaises)

Prepare these documents before your shipment arrives at Le Havre, Marseille, or whichever French port handles your cargo. Missing paperwork is the single most common cause of clearance delays:

• Valid passport with entry stamps or visa showing your arrival date in France.
• Long-stay visa or carte de sejour proving legal residence in France.
• Proof of prior residence outside the EU: US utility bills, lease or mortgage documents, bank statements, or tax returns proving at least 12 months of residence before the move.
• Detailed packing list (inventaire detaille): An itemized inventory with descriptions, quantities, and approximate values for each item. A vague list saying “box 1, box 2” will cause problems.
• Attestation sur l’honneur: A signed sworn declaration that the goods are for personal use, have been owned for at least 6 months, and will not be sold within 12 months of import.
• Bill of lading (connaissement) or airway bill from the carrier.
• Certificate of deregistration if shipping a vehicle, along with the US title.

Items Subject to Duties, Restrictions, or Prohibitions

Even with the franchise douaniere exemption, some items face restrictions or may incur duties:

• New or unused items: Brand-new goods purchased specifically for the move do not qualify for the exemption. They may be subject to EU customs duty (typically 2 to 12 percent) plus 20 percent French TVA.
• Alcohol and tobacco: Limited quantities are allowed duty-free under the exemption. Excess quantities are taxed at standard French excise rates.
• Vehicles: Cars can be imported duty-free under the Transfer of Residence rules if owned and used for at least 6 months. However, the vehicle must pass French vehicle inspection (controle technique), be re-registered with French plates, and have its headlights adjusted for right-hand driving.
• Prohibited items: Narcotics, counterfeit goods, certain food products (meat, dairy, and fresh produce from non-EU countries), weapons without permits, and plant materials without phytosanitary certificates.
• Electronics and appliances: France uses 230V/50Hz electrical current. Your 120V American appliances will not work without voltage converters, and large appliances like dryers, ovens, and full-size refrigerators are generally not worth shipping due to different connections and standards.

City Post Express handles customs clearance on every France shipment, filing the changement de residence declaration with the douanes and coordinating directly with French customs to ensure your goods clear without delays.

Visa and Residency: How Americans Can Legally Move to France

Americans can visit France visa-free for up to 90 days under the Schengen Agreement, but to live there long-term you need a long-stay visa before leaving the US. French consulates do not issue long-stay visas from within France.

Main Visa Categories for Americans Relocating to France

The Visa Application Process Step by Step

1. Apply at your nearest French consulate in the US. There are consulates in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, and Boston. You must apply within the jurisdiction where you live.
2. Validate your visa online: Within 3 months of arrival in France, you must validate your VLS-TS through the ANEF platform (formerly OFII). This step is mandatory and activates your right to reside.
3. Apply for a carte de sejour: Before your initial visa expires, apply at the local prefecture for a multi-year residence permit to continue living in France legally.

Timing tip: Start the visa process at least 3 to 4 months before your planned move. Consular slots fill up fast, especially in summer, and processing takes 2 to 6 weeks. Coordinate your shipping timeline around visa approval. We can hold your shipment or schedule loading once you have confirmation.

Cost of Living in France: What to Budget Beyond the Move

Understanding French living costs helps you plan finances beyond shipping. Here is a realistic 2026 breakdown:

Key insight: Outside Paris, France is often more affordable than comparable US metro areas. A standard doctor visit is 26.50 euros (70 percent reimbursed), and prescriptions are heavily subsidized. For many Americans, lower healthcare costs alone offset a significant portion of the cost of moving overseas.

Healthcare in France: What New Arrivals Need to Know

France’s healthcare system is one of the primary reasons Americans consider relocating to France from the USA. After 3 months of legal residence, you can register with your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) for public health coverage, which reimburses roughly 70 percent of medical costs. Most residents add a mutuelle (supplementary insurance) covering the remaining 30 percent for 30 to 80 euros per month. The PUMA system (Protection Universelle Maladie) guarantees coverage to all legal residents regardless of employment status.

Important: CPAM enrollment can take weeks to months. Carry private international health insurance (Cigna Global, GeoBlue, or similar) during your first 3 to 6 months to bridge the gap.

Practical Steps After You Arrive in France

Moving to France from the US involves far more than shipping your belongings. Here is your action list for the first 90 days.

Week 1-2: Immediate Priorities

• Validate your visa online through the ANEF platform. You have 3 months, but do it in the first week to avoid forgetting.
• Open a French bank account. BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, and Credit Agricole are common choices. Online banks like Boursorama or N26 are faster for initial setup.
• Get a French phone number. Free Mobile, Orange, SFR, and Bouygues offer plans starting at 2 euros per month.
• Register with your local mairie (town hall) if your commune requires it.
• Arrange temporary accommodation if your long-term rental is not yet ready.

Month 1-3: Administrative Setup

• Apply to CPAM for Securite Sociale. Bring your passport, visa, proof of address, birth certificate with apostille, and bank details (RIB).
• Complete OFII/ANEF integration requirements if mandated by your visa type.
• Set up utilities: Contact EDF or Engie for electricity and gas, and your local provider for water service.
• Get home insurance: Assurance habitation is mandatory for all renters in France. Expect to pay 15 to 30 euros per month for a standard policy.
• Receive your shipment: If you shipped via ocean freight, your household goods should be arriving around this time. We coordinate the delivery window with you and handle all last-mile logistics.
• Enroll in French language courses if needed. OFII offers free integration courses, and Alliance Francaise locations are available throughout the country.

Month 3-6: Settling In

• Apply for your carte de sejour at the prefecture before your VLS-TS visa expires. Bring proof of address, employment or income, and your validated visa.
• File US taxes: Americans must file US tax returns regardless of where they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit help avoid double taxation with France, but consult a cross-border tax specialist who understands both the US and French systems.
• Transfer your driver’s license: Some US states have reciprocal exchange agreements with France (including Florida, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and others). If your state is not on the list, you have 1 year to pass the French driving test.

Popular Destinations for American Expats in France

Where you live in France affects both your daily experience and your shipping logistics. Here are the regions that attract the most Americans.

• Paris and Ile-de-France: The top choice for professionals and students. Expect tight apartment spaces, so plan your shipment size accordingly. We deliver to Paris regularly from Le Havre port.
• Lyon: France’s gastronomic capital with a strong job market, affordable rents, and easy access to the Alps. Popular with families.
• Bordeaux: Wine country with a booming tech scene and fast TGV connections to Paris (2 hours). Growing rapidly with American expats.
• Provence and Cote d’Azur: Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille attract retirees and remote workers. Shipments to this region route through Marseille-Fos port.
• Toulouse: Airbus headquarters, vibrant university city, sunny weather, and housing costs well below Paris.
• Brittany and Normandy: Affordable rural living, green countryside, and coastal charm. Popular with retirees seeking space.

We ship to all regions of France, including rural areas where other carriers will not deliver. Our door-to-door service covers inland transport from the port to your front door, whether that is a walk-up in the Marais or a farmhouse in the Dordogne.

What to Ship to France and What to Leave Behind

After 25 years of shipping household goods to France, here is our honest, experience-based advice on what to bring and what to sell or donate before you go.

Worth Shipping

• Sentimental items, family heirlooms, and irreplaceable personal belongings
• Quality furniture that fits French apartment dimensions (measure doorways and stairwells first)
• Books, artwork, and personal collections
• Clothing, personal effects, and small dual-voltage electronics
• Bedding, linens, and kitchen items

Usually Not Worth Shipping

• Large 120V appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens) as French homes use 230V with different connections
• Bulky furniture that will not fit through French doorways or narrow staircases
• Cheap or easily replaceable items (IKEA and Leroy Merlin have you covered)
• King-size mattresses (different size standards, heavy, and expensive to ship)

Decluttering before your move is the single most effective way to reduce your moving costs. Every cubic foot you eliminate from your shipment saves money on freight, insurance, and customs processing.

Shipping Timeline: How to Plan Your Move to France

Timing is everything when moving to France from the US. Here is a realistic planning timeline.

4-6 months before: Start the visa process at your nearest French consulate. Contact City Post Express for a shipping quote. Begin decluttering and gathering customs documents (proof of US residence, inventory lists).

2-3 months before: Confirm visa approval and finalize travel dates. Book your ocean freight pickup 4 to 6 weeks before you want goods to arrive. Begin packing and notify US banks, doctors, and USPS of your move.

2-4 weeks before: Finalize packing and your customs inventory list. Ship priority boxes via air freight if using the combined approach. Schedule your ocean freight pickup.

Arrival week: Fly to France with essential documents and medications. Validate your visa through ANEF. Open a bank account and get a French phone number. Your air freight arrives in 5 to 10 days; ocean freight follows in 3 to 5 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to France from the US

How long does shipping take from the US to France?

Ocean freight takes 3 to 5 weeks from the East Coast and 4 to 5 weeks from the West Coast. LCL shipments take 5 to 8 weeks. Air freight arrives in 5 to 10 business days. Most shipments arrive at Le Havre, with inland delivery adding 1 to 3 days.

Do I have to pay import duties on my household goods?

Usually no. The franchise douaniere pour changement de residence allows duty-free import of used household goods, provided you lived outside the EU for 12+ months, owned the goods for 6+ months, and import within 12 months of establishing residence. New items do not qualify.

Can I ship my car to France?

Yes. Vehicles qualify for duty-free import under the Transfer of Residence exemption if owned and used for 6+ months. The car must pass the controle technique, have headlights adjusted, and be re-registered with French plates.

What is the cheapest way to move to France?

Ocean freight LCL is most affordable for smaller shipments. For larger moves, a 20-foot FCL offers the best per-cubic-foot value. Decluttering, booking off-peak, and choosing ocean over air are the top strategies. See our cheapest way to ship overseas guide.

Why Ship with City Post Express?

City Post Express is an FMC-licensed freight forwarder, not a broker, with over 25 years of experience shipping household goods from the US to France and 150+ other countries. Here is what sets us apart:

• Flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing: Our quotes include pickup at your US address, ocean or air freight, French customs clearance, and delivery to your door. No surprise surcharges at the port.
• Door-to-door service: From your home in the US to your new address anywhere in France, including rural areas.
• French customs expertise: We prepare all customs documentation, file the changement de residence declaration, and manage the duty-free exemption process on your behalf.
• Flexible shipping options: FCL containers, LCL shared shipping, air freight, and mini moves. We match the right service to your shipment size and budget.
• Real-time tracking: Know exactly where your shipment is at every stage, from pickup to customs clearance to final delivery.
• No minimum shipment size: Whether you are shipping one box or an entire house, we handle it.

Ready to start planning your move? Request a free quote and we will provide a flat-rate estimate within 24 hours. Have questions? Contact our team and we will walk you through the entire process.

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