🇫🇷 Shipping to France from the USA

Your complete guide to shipping packages to France - Wine, fashion, and customs complexities

De Minimis

€22

VAT threshold

VAT Rate

20%

Standard TVA

Delivery Time

4-10 days

From USA

Best Carrier

FedEx/DHL

For reliability

⚠️ La Poste Warning: French postal service (La Poste/Colissimo) handles USPS packages. Known for slow customs clearance (add 3-7 days), high handling fees (€8-25), and occasional delivery issues. Consider express carriers for important shipments.

Shipping Rates to France

Carrier & Service 1 lb 5 lbs 10 lbs 20 lbs Delivery Time
USPS First-Class $17.50 N/A N/A N/A 10-21 days*
USPS Priority Mail $36.50 $62.50 $89.50 $142.50 6-14 days*
USPS Priority Express $56.95 $108.95 $162.95 $270.95 3-7 days*
UPS Expedited $68.00 $102.00 $158.00 $268.00 3-5 days
FedEx International Priority $72.00 $108.00 $172.00 $292.00 2-4 days
DHL Express $62.00 $92.00 $142.00 $242.00 2-4 days

* USPS times include La Poste customs delays

France Customs & Import Information

  • VAT threshold: €22 (approx $24)
  • Duty threshold: €150 (approx $165)
  • VAT (TVA) rate: 20% standard
  • Reduced TVA: 10% (some goods), 5.5% (food, books)
  • Customs processing: Slow via La Poste
  • Required forms: CN22/CN23 + EU declaration
  • EORI number: Required for business
  • La Poste fees: €8-25 handling charge
  • Payment: At delivery or pickup

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Prohibited:

  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Counterfeit goods (strictly enforced)
  • Certain medications
  • Raw meat and dairy from USA
  • Some plant products

Restricted:

  • Alcohol (high duties, license needed)
  • Tobacco (very high taxes)
  • Perfume over 50ml (dangerous goods)
  • Food products (EU regulations)
  • Cosmetics (EU compliance required)

How French Import Charges Work

Example Calculations:

Item Value Shipping TVA (20%) Duty La Poste Fee Total Charges
$20 (€18) $10 €0 €0 €0 €0
$55 (€50) $15 €13.00 €0 €8 €21.00
$220 (€200) $30 €46.00 €12-30 €25 €83-101

Note: La Poste charges higher handling fees than express carriers. TVA calculated on total value.

Tips for Shipping to France

  1. Avoid La Poste if possible: Use express carriers for faster customs and lower fees
  2. Declare in French: "Cadeau" (gift), "Échantillon" (sample) can help
  3. August delays: Many French take vacation, expect slower processing
  4. Include mobile number: Required for delivery attempts
  5. Signature required: Most packages need signature in France
  6. Apartment deliveries: Include door code (digicode) if known
  7. Business hours: Deliveries typically 9am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
  8. Pickup locations: If missed, often held at local post office
  9. Fashion items: May face extra scrutiny for counterfeits
  10. Gift threshold: Keep under €22 to avoid all fees

French Regional Considerations

Region/City Delivery Time Special Notes Best Carrier
Paris 3-6 days Main hub, apartment codes needed DHL/FedEx
Lyon 4-7 days Good infrastructure FedEx/UPS
Marseille 4-7 days Port city, some delays DHL/FedEx
Nice/CĂ´te d'Azur 5-8 days Tourist area, seasonal delays FedEx/DHL
Bordeaux 4-7 days Wine region, alcohol restricted UPS/FedEx
Rural France 6-12 days La Poste only for final delivery DHL (best rural)
Corsica 7-14 days Island, additional transit time La Poste/USPS
French Territories* 10-21 days Different customs rules USPS/La Poste

* Guadeloupe, Martinique, RĂ©union, etc. have separate customs

Frequently Asked Questions - France Shipping

Why is La Poste so slow with customs?

La Poste (French postal service) processes international packages through limited facilities, often taking 3-7 extra days for customs clearance. They also charge handling fees (€8-25) that express carriers often don't.

Can I ship wine or cheese from USA to France?

Ironically difficult! Wine faces high duties and requires import licenses. Most cheese from USA is prohibited due to EU regulations on dairy products. Packaged/processed foods may be okay.

What's the deal with August in France?

Many French businesses close or operate minimally in August for vacation. Expect delays in customs processing and delivery during this period. July and December also see delays.

How do I handle French apartment delivery?

Include the door code (digicode) if known, floor number (Ă©tage), and whether left (gauche) or right (droite). Without these, delivery often fails and package goes to pickup point.

Is it better to use USPS or express carriers?

Express carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) are strongly recommended for France. They clear customs faster, have lower handling fees, and provide better tracking through delivery.

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