Offering viable shipping options to French consumers is a proven strategy to grow your online store's sales. For Quebec e-commerce businesses and online retailers across Canada, France represents a massive opportunity. The cultural and linguistic ties between our regions provide local Canadian businesses a distinct competitive advantage when entering the European market.
Jet Worldwide is a Quebec-owned international logistics company based in Montreal. With over 40 years of international logistics experience and partnerships with the world's top carriers, we provide best-in-class solutions for e-commerce businesses expanding to France, the UK, and other EU member states.
Table of Contents: Shipping to France
Customs and Importing Online Orders to France
When shipping goods to France, paying close attention to the import clearance process is crucial. Online order shipments must include a commercial invoice with a declared value and a detailed description of the contents. You can complete this paperwork in English or French, but absolute precision is required to avoid customs delays.
Summary of Changes to VAT Rules for EU Imports
All goods imported to the European Union are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). For e-commerce shipments valued under EUR 150, sellers can use the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) process. This allows online marketplaces to charge VAT at the point of sale and remit it directly to the authorities, bypassing surprise fees for the consumer upon delivery.
VAT in France: The standard VAT rate in France is 20 percent for most products, though some items like books benefit from a reduced rate of 7 percent. VAT is calculated using the CIF value (the total value of the goods plus shipping plus insurance costs).
Pro Tip: Registering for IOSS in a single EU member state allows you to handle VAT for all member states. You can import into France and distribute to Germany without registering for VAT in both countries.
For official details on IOSS, visit the Publications Office of the European Union.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only.
EORI Number and IOSS for Imports to France
Before shipping from Canada to France, you must verify the consignee's EORI number. An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is an EU identification required for businesses importing or exporting goods.
While the IOSS system facilitates the clearance of consumer e-commerce orders, an EORI number is mandatory data for customs entries directed to businesses in France. The EORI number consists of two parts:
- The country code of the issuing Member State
- A unique identification code within that Member State
Duties and the New Thresholds for Parcels
Currently, shipments with a value of EUR 150 or less are no longer exempt from customs duties.
To provide a seamless customer experience, we highly recommend utilizing the Delivery Duty Paid (DTP) option on your commercial invoice. DTP ensures duties are billed to your business rather than surprising your customer at the door.
The Upcoming Duty Surcharge (July 2026)
A significant change in EU customs policy will effectively eliminate the low-value duty-free threshold. Starting in July 2026, Europe will impose a minimum EUR 3 charge per shipment category based on tariff sub-headings.
Example Calculation:
The Order: 1 silk blouse plus 2 wool blouses and cotton pants
The Assessment: Silk and wool fall under different tariff sub-headings (two distinct categories).
The Cost: 3 categories x EUR 3 = EUR 9 total customs duty.
An additional €2 handling charge will apply in November
Rates and Transit Time To France
High shipping costs and long delivery delays are the primary barriers preventing small to mid-sized businesses from selling internationally. Many Canadian sellers relying on traditional postal services face delivery times measured in weeks, which drives French consumers toward local alternatives.
To succeed in the French market, securing cost-effective rates and fast transit times is absolutely essential.
Direct Shipping Options with Jet Worldwide
Jet Worldwide removes the barriers between you and your French customers. Through strategic partnerships with leading French domestic carriers like DPD and Chronopost, we significantly reduce your shipping costs while drastically improving delivery speed.
Using our Jet Ship plug-in, you can print labels, schedule pickups, track shipments, and manage returns from one centralized dashboard. With our lowest-in-class rates and swift delivery times of 4 to 7 days, France becomes a highly viable market for your Canadian e-commerce store.
- Direct shipping from North American distribution centres via DPD, Chronopost, and other premier carriers.
- Expert facilitation of IOSS registration.
- Over 40 years of trusted international shipping experience.
Jetworldwide.com
