Quick answer: To ship from France to Canada, individuals use La Poste Colissimo, delivered by Canada Post; businesses use Chronopost, courier, air, or ocean. French-origin goods enter duty-free under CETA with an invoice origin declaration. Parcels up to CAD 20 clear duty and tax free, and Jet Worldwide provides the Canadian clearance and delivery whatever carrier moves the goods.
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The economic connection between France and Canada has strengthened under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provisionally applied since 2017. France is Canada's third-largest European partner for trade in goods and services, and Quebec is the province France trades with most. Most major French multinationals have a Quebec presence.
Jet's expertise is providing Canadian-European logistics support. For simple delivery, the options are fairly straight forward: The post, courier, air freight, or ocean. Our team considers the best options and can build in unique logistics solutions such as non-Resident importer, storage and distribution, and on site support.
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With a shared language, Quebec is often the first Canadian market of entry for French firms. The right mode depends on the size and weight of your shipment, the nature of the goods, and the transit time you need.
| Mode | Best for | Transit | Canadian Import |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Poste (Colissimo) | Personal parcels, occasional senders | 3 to 8 days | Clearance via Canada Post disbursement fee applies |
| Chronopost (Chrono Express) | Faster parcels, small business | 1 to 5 days | Use of partner carrier (FedEx, DHL, and/or UPS), CLVS entry |
| Courier (FedEx, UPS, DHL) | Commercial, tracked | 2 to 7 days | Brokerage, duty and disbursement fee of around $20 CAD |
| Air freight | Urgent, under about 100 kg | Under a week | Consolidation, CARM entry, delivery |
| Ocean (LCL or FCL) | Pallets, bulk orders | 1 to 2 months | For large commercial orders and containerized freight. |
For occasional and personal shipments, La Poste usually offers the best solution. For regular volume or to build lasting access between France and Canada, our team designs a dedicated routing.
The options to send packages from France include La Poste (Colissimo), Chronopost, FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
Colissimo is a parcel-post product imported and delivered in Canada by Canada Post. When a parcel from France is assessed duty and tax, Canada Post charges an import handling fee of around CA$10 in addition to the duty and tax.
Chrono Express is Chronopost's express service to Canada, imported via a local agent in Montreal (such as FedEx and DHL). Import handling for Chronopost shipments typically ranges from around $20 CAD plus duty and tax.
The Canada Post handling fee averages around $10 CAD. FedEx and UPS charge around $15-20 CAD.
FedEx and UPS are North America's dominant carriers, and FedEx operates a major hub at Paris CDG. Both, along with DHL, offer air express and economy delivery to Quebec and Canada from France.
Containerized cargo from France generally takes 1 to 2 months, with Montreal the main Canadian port for French goods. Air freight usually delivers in under a week.
Goods sent from France to Canada are subject to CBSA clearance.
Common import fees charged to the consignee include duty, tax, and carrier disbursement fees.
French-origin goods that meet the CETA rules of origin enter Canada duty-free regardless of their value. Note that simply shipping from France does not confer origin, so the goods must actually qualify.
CETA gives 0 percent duty at any value; CAD 3,300 is only the threshold below which the proof of origin is simplified or waived, and records must still be kept. For consignments over 6,000 euro the French exporter needs a REX number; below that, the invoice statement suffices.
Understand the difference between shipping from France and French-origin goods,
and
When a certificate of origin is needed.
Registration in the CBSA CARM portal is mandatory for all commercial importers. Through it, importers assign their customs broker and post financial security (a surety bond or deposit). Read more about CARM.
Jet Worldwide recommends sellers in France to register as a non-resident importer, send shipments in bulk to Canada. Then distribute on demand.
French companies selling into Quebec and Canada can rely on Jet for dependable returns. We set up cost-effective processes for shipments that need a Canadian return destination and processing centre. Jet serves as your Canadian anchor for your French supply chain.
Jet Worldwide generally does not handle personal effects moving from France to Canada. We provide this information to answer the many inquiries we get on this subject.
You will need a copy of the importer's passport and a specific list of contents with estimated unit and total values, and personal goods to Canada must be self-cleared by the importer. Personal goods are generally understood as used, owned more than a year, and for personal use only.
For individuals and small personal parcels, La Poste Colissimo International is usually the cheapest option. For heavier parcels over about 10 kg and for regular volume, a consolidated courier or air solution through a third party such as Jet Worldwide is usually the better option.
How long does shipping from France to Canada take?Colissimo International is about 3 to 8 days. Chrono Express is about 1 to 5 days. Air freight is usually under a week, and containerized ocean freight is about 1 to 2 months, with Montreal the main port for French goods.
Can French goods enter Canada duty-free under CETA?Yes. Goods that meet the CETA rules of origin enter Canada duty-free at any value, with an origin declaration.
What is the Canadian de minimis for parcels from France?Most parcels from France valued at CAD 20 or less clear duty-free and tax-free.
What import fees apply to a Colissimo parcel to Canada?Colissimo parcels are delivered by Canada Post. When a parcel is assessed duty and tax, Canada Post charges a handling fee of around CA$15 in addition to the duty and tax.
Do I need to register for CARM to import commercially from France?All commercial importers must register in the CBSA CARM portal, assign a customs broker, and post financial security in the form of a surety bond or deposit.
Jet Worldwide gives every company access to shipping quotes between France (and the EU) and Canada for parcels, pallets, ocean, and online orders.
Disclaimer: Jet Worldwide content is for general information only. Confirm current CBSA, CETA, and carrier rules with your customs broker before shipping.