France and Canada share strong economic and social connections, exchanging billions of dollars in trade every year. Furthermore, French and Canadian companies frequently use each other's countries as base operations for regional access to the European Union and North America. If you are a Canadian business looking to expand, we can help you find the absolute best shipping options to France.
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2026 Important Update: EU Customs for Parcel Import to Italian Consumers Less Than €150
While this guide focuses heavily on France, businesses shipping across the EU must note a major change impacting Italian consumers. Effective July 2026, the €3 duty for parcel imports will be multiplied by each distinct item category (based on tariff sub-headings) contained within the parcel.
Example Calculation:
- The Order: 1 pair of leather shoes, 3 cotton t-shirts and 1 polyester blend. Value €125
- The Assessment: Footwear and have entirely different heading. Cotton and polyester have different tariff sub-headings. here are two distinct categories inside the box.
- The Cost: 2 categories x €3 = €6 total customs duty.
Note: An additional €2 handling fee will apply starting in November 2026.
Expand your cross-border opportunity with our logistics professionals. Jet Worldwide has provided international courier and logistics support for over 35 years! Save more by utilizing the best shipping modes and processes. Contact our team for an initial consultation today.
Lowering Your Delivery Cost to France
The shipping cost of a package to France depends on the destination address, dimensions, weight, and the service level you require. Naturally, the faster your package needs to be delivered, the higher the cost will be.
What is the cheapest way to ship to France?
Canada Post surface packet and parcel options are typically the lowest-cost way to ship from Canada to France. This is the ideal option when the shipment is not urgent and tracking is not necessary. Surface shipments under 2 kilograms can cost less than $40.
Get our lowest spot quote for shipments over 10 kilograms to France and commercial volumes.
Express Options: FedEx, UPS, and Chronopost
If you need faster delivery, commercial carriers like FedEx or UPS will cost between $120 and $200 for a 10-pound (4.5 kg) package. The actual cost varies depending on your discount level, the specific French address, and current fuel surcharges.
If you are looking to grow your online sales to France, explore direct shipping. Jet Worldwide provides access to Chronopost and DPD from Canada. We help you consolidate your orders via direct airfreight from YUL, YYZ, or YVR to France with guaranteed zero charges to your customer.
Download our comprehensive PDF guide for more details.
Best Canadian Shipping Options to France
The transit times for air shipments via commercial carriers generally range from 2 to 4 business days. Here are the main options available:
- Canada Post: Best for individuals shipping small parcels or personal items.
- Ocean Freight: Best for large commercial orders and heavy commodities.
- Air Freight: Ideal for palletized freight needing faster transit times or high-volume e-commerce shipments.
- Commercial Integrated Carriers: FedEx, UPS, and DHL offer reliable express and economy air options.
Customs Clearance and VAT Rules
EORI Number for Imports to France
It is vital to verify the EORI number of the consignee in France. An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is an EU identification number for businesses. It is a mandatory part of the data set required for customs entries across all EU countries.
Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) Explained
French Customs Authorities have introduced a change to the import Value Added Tax process known as Postponed VAT Accounting. Under this scheme, the VAT amount is assessed and billed directly to the importer.
- Applicable to all businesses acting as an Importer of Record in France.
- Requires a valid French VAT number.
- Non-EU businesses must appoint a Fiscal Representative to manage the PVA scheme.
Duty-Free Clearance Under CETA
Thanks to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), country-of-origin rules determine if a product is eligible for preferential duty-free treatment. For Canadian shippers sending Canada-origin goods to France, a formal certificate is not required. A simple declaration on the commercial invoice is enough to obtain tariff benefits.
Sample Statement: "I hereby certify that the goods covered by this shipment qualify as an originating good for the purposes of preferential treatment under the Canada European Free Trade Agreement (CETA)."
Shipping Personal Effects
Personal effects shipped to France are eligible for clearance free of duty and taxes, provided they are accompanied by a fully detailed invoice, clearly marked "Used Personal Effects," and are genuinely for personal use only.
E-commerce Logistics Solutions to France
France boasts one of the world’s largest online markets, showing a strong affinity for Canadian goods. Canadian companies can benefit immensely from Jet Worldwide's direct shipping and last-mile delivery solutions.
- Goods shipped from Canada via France to the rest of the EU can be imported using a French VAT Number.
- We can help set up fiscal representation in France to facilitate final formalities.
- Get accurate duties and taxes estimates well in advance of shipping.
Getting a Shipping Quote
Jet Worldwide provides innovative shipping solutions and logistics support between France, the European Union, Canada, and the USA. Whether you need economy parcel shipping, direct e-commerce fulfillment, or EU warehousing, we have you covered.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is for general informational purposes only.
