The US and French commercial alliance dates back centuries. France is the world's fifth-largest economy and a leading trade partner with the United States. Leading US exports to France include aerospace and IT infrastructure, as well as advanced instrumentation such as medical supplies and broadcasting equipment. US and Canadian companies rely on low-cost shipping to France and the European Union to fulfill international e-commerce orders.
Quick answer
How do you ship to France from the USA?
Ship to France by USPS for small parcels, FedEx, UPS, or Jet Worldwide for commercial air, or bulk freight into a French warehouse for euro-domestic distribution. France charges 20 percent VAT, and since 1 July 2026 the EU adds a flat 3 euro duty per item category on parcels of 150 euros or less. Prepay duty and VAT with DDP.
Key takeaways
- Carriers: USPS for small parcels, FedEx, UPS, and Jet Worldwide for commercial, and freight for bulk. Postal resellers also are an option.
- Taxes: 20 percent VAT on CIF-plus-duty; the EU 150 euro duty exemption ended 1 July 2026.
- Prepay: use DDP, or IOSS for e-commerce, to bill duty and VAT up front so customers are not surprised.
- Bulk plus storage: clear once into a French warehouse and distribute euro-domestically, or consolidate through a US hub.
Jet Worldwide is a Montreal-based logistics and customs consultancy specializing in delivery to France and Europe, helping businesses connect across borders since 1988. Our team provides EU distribution from a Paris hub and shipping direct from Canada and the US to France, plus dedicated clearance, local storage, and domestic delivery. Contact our team for a consultation.
Carrier delivery options for shipping to France
If you are looking beyond the obvious USPS, FedEx, and UPS options, contact our team; we have unique solutions to the UK and Europe.
| Carrier | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Individuals and small parcels | Lowest cost; delivered in France by La Poste; First Class International Package Service is for items under 4 pounds and under USD 400. |
| FedEx and UPS | Urgent and commercial parcels | Air express (2 to 3 days) and air economy (3 to 5 days), with tracking and clearance. |
| Chronopost | France-to-US direction only | A La Poste subsidiary; ships from France to the USA via partners such as FedEx, not the reverse, and has no US offices. |
| Jet Worldwide | Commercial parcels, bulk, and EU distribution | Helping companies put the pieces together via our industry knowledge, contacts, expertise and transparency. |
Shipping to France via USPS
The cheapest option for individuals shipping small parcels to France is the US Postal Service (USPS). USPS has a range of small-package services accessible online or at a local post office. Shipments sent via USPS to France are delivered by La Poste. The First Class International Package Service is among the most common options, available for shipments under 4 pounds and under USD 400. USPS is less attractive for heavier shipments or when a higher service level is required. Get a comparison quote for shipping to France.
Shipping to France via FedEx or UPS
FedEx and UPS are the largest carriers in the USA and, along with DHL, offer shipping from the US to France, in two main tiers: International Air Express (2 to 3 day delivery) and International Air Economy (3 to 5 day delivery).
Shipping to France via Chronopost
Chronopost, a subsidiary of La Poste, is a leading carrier in France and offers shipping from France to the USA via partners such as FedEx, but not the reverse. Chronopost does not have offices in the USA. Jet Worldwide helps American and French companies build parcel shipping and import solutions between the US, France, and Canada.
Jet Worldwide options to France from the USA
Jet Worldwide offers low-cost parcel and online-order shipping to France from the US and North America, with EU distribution support from our Paris hub and direct shipping from Canada to France. Ship your online orders to France with prepaid duty and last-mile delivery. About Jet Worldwide.
Timothy Byrnes: t-byrnes@jetworldwide.ca (note, emails must be from a business email address).
Shipping terms and prepaid duty and VAT
The default for shipping internationally from the United States is Delivery Duty Unpaid, where carriers use Ex Works (EXW) and all import costs fall to the receiver. Shippers can instead choose Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), offered by most carriers, to pay import fees on the receiver's behalf. See our blog on Incoterms and shipping terms.
- DDP (prepaid duty and VAT): the shipper settles duty and VAT before delivery, so the customer is not billed on arrival, which protects the checkout experience.
- IOSS (for e-commerce): the Import One-Stop Shop lets sellers pre-collect and remit EU VAT on low-value orders, streamlining clearance.
- The trade-off: much of the prepaid cost is France's 20 percent VAT, which a business receiver may be able to reclaim, so prepaying can tie up recoverable cash.
Shipping online orders to France
All imports to France are subject to VAT. Since 1 July 2026, most low-value parcels are no longer automatically duty-free (see the customs section), so plan for both duty and VAT. For e-commerce, prepaid VAT through IOSS keeps clearance smooth. Read more on shipping online orders to France with prepaid VAT.
Bulk import and French storage for euro-domestic distribution
For regular volume, the most efficient model is often to stop shipping parcel by parcel and instead import in bulk, store in France, and fulfill locally. Jet Worldwide clears one bulk shipment into a French facility, then ships each customer order as a euro-domestic delivery inside the EU.
- Send bulk freight to France. Consolidate your stock and ship it as a single bulk import to a Jet Worldwide French facility.
- Clear customs once. Duty and VAT are handled on the one bulk entry, not on hundreds of individual parcels.
- Store locally. Goods are warehoused in France, ready for on-demand fulfillment.
- Distribute euro-domestically. Each order ships within the EU as a domestic delivery, which is faster and avoids repeat cross-border clearance.
This euro-domestic model shortens last-mile times, removes per-parcel customs friction, and gives your French and EU customers a local delivery experience. Contact our team for France and EU warehousing and distribution.
Consolidate through a US hub for Europe
If your inventory or suppliers are spread across North America, you can send consolidations to Jet Worldwide US hubs. Orders are combined there and forwarded to Europe, including onward distribution from our Paris hub. Consolidation reduces per-parcel handling, simplifies documentation, and can lower landed cost for regular volume, feeding directly into the bulk-and-store model above.
Customs clearance and import fees for France
2026 update: the 150 euro duty exemption has ended
The EU abolished the 150 euro low-value duty exemption on 1 July 2026. Parcels valued at 150 euros or less sent from outside the EU to consumers now carry a temporary flat customs duty of 3 euros per distinct item category (per tariff heading), not per parcel, in place until 1 July 2028. A separate handling fee of about 2 euros per parcel is expected from November 2026. Low-value parcels to France are therefore no longer automatically duty-free.
All imports to France from the USA require an invoice for customs. French customs uses the CIF value as the amount subject to duty; CIF includes the cost of the item plus shipping and insurance. Import fees for consignments to France include:
- Duty: on the CIF value and the commodity or HS code, plus, for low-value parcels, the flat 3 euro per-category duty described above.
- Value Added Tax of 20 percent: on the CIF value plus duty.
- Carrier disbursement or admin fee: usually around 2.5 percent (with a minimum) of the duty and taxes advanced on the receiver's behalf.
Other French import rules
- Import duties and taxes: most goods imported to France are subject to duty and taxes, at rates that depend on the type and value of goods.
- Documentation: French customs may require a commercial invoice, packing list, and other documents to clear a shipment.
- Restricted goods: some goods cannot be imported; controls include drugs, weapons, and hazardous materials, and special permits or licenses are needed for animals, plants, and cultural artifacts.
- Health and safety: France has strict rules for food, cosmetics, and consumer products that may require extra documentation and testing.
- Intellectual property: importing goods that infringe protected rights can result in fines and penalties.
Customs rules for France can be complex and vary by product. Consult French customs authorities or a customs broker for guidance specific to your shipment.
Shipping personal effects to France from the USA
Personal effects can clear France free of duty and taxes. The requirements include:
- An invoice with the value for each item.
- Paperwork that clearly states "Personal Effects."
- A customs inspection on arrival, with consignee contact.
- Items that are used (not new) and for personal use only.
Excess baggage: shipping personal effects as excess baggage when you travel is often simpler and cheaper for a couple of bags than shipping separately and managing entry requirements.
A box or several boxes: Jet Worldwide ships international personal effects to France from the US via economy air.
A full household: for household or container-level moves, contact a moving specialist to arrange packing and ocean transport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to ship to France from the USA?
For small personal parcels, USPS and postal resellers are usually the lowest cost. These solutions are increasingly challenged by new processes.
Do I pay duty and VAT when shipping to France?
France applies a standard VAT of 20 percent to imports, calculated on the CIF value plus duty. Since 1 July 2026 the EU also applies a flat 3 euro duty per item category on parcels valued at 150 euros or less sent to consumers, so low-value parcels are no longer automatically duty-free.
How do prepaid duty and VAT (DDP) work for France?
With Delivery Duty Paid, the shipper pays duty and VAT before delivery so the customer is not billed on arrival. For e-commerce, the Import One-Stop Shop lets sellers pre-collect and remit EU VAT. This is not necessary if you are only shipping to France.
Can I import in bulk and store goods in France for local distribution?
Yes. Jet Worldwide can clear a bulk shipment into France once, store it in a local French facility, and fulfill orders as euro-domestic deliveries. This clears customs a single time on the bulk import rather than parcel by parcel. A type of FBA solution without using Amazon.
Can I consolidate through a US hub for shipping to Europe?
Yes. You can send consolidations to Jet Worldwide US hubs, where orders are combined and forwarded to Europe, including onward distribution from the Paris hub. Consolidation reduces per-parcel handling and can lower landed cost for regular volume.
Can I ship personal effects to France duty-free?
Personal effects can clear France free of duty and taxes when the paperwork clearly states Personal Effects, an itemized value is provided, and the goods are used and for personal use only. Customs inspects on arrival and contacts the consignee.
Get a quote for shipping to France and Europe
Jet Worldwide helps US and Canadian companies ship parcels, online orders, and bulk freight to France and the EU. Request a France shipping quote.
Timothy Byrnes - Jet Worldwide
Timothy Byrnes has led Jet Worldwide, a Montreal-based international logistics and customs consultancy, since 1988
