Shipping To France: Different Transport By Air & Sea And Express

France, also known as the French Republic, is located in Europe and is a highly developed capitalist country. In recent years, China's trade with France has become increasingly close, and many cross-border e-commerce sellers have been stationed on French e-commerce platforms, shipping to France for tail-end delivery in the local area.

Shipping to France - Comprehensive collection of shipping

Do you have concerns about transportation? If you need transport services from China to France, you've come to the perfect solution. 

This article covers the various factors that can occur when importing from China to France. Local import rules and regulations, transport solutions and much more, we will present them all.

French import and export policy

Franch trade policy

● The supervisory department responsible for trade in France is the European and Foreign Affairs Ministry.

● France is an essential member of the European Union and enforces EU regulations and management systems regarding foreign trade.

● To import certain specific goods, France continues to implement import management measures following EU regulations.

● The French government implements policies to encourage exports, allowing for the free exportation of most goods. However, export management measures are in place for a few products, such as subsidies for agricultural product exports and export controls for military equipment, high-tech products, and nuclear technology devices.

Notes for export to France

● Customs documents required include the bill of lading, packing list, invoice, and Certificate of Origin (CO) or Form A, depending on customer requirements.

● Goods should be declared to customs within three days of arrival. If overdue, customs will take over and transfer the goods to other warehouses, and after two months, the goods will be confiscated.

● For certain sensitive goods, such as chemicals, biological products, and military weapons, an export license must be obtained in advance from the relevant government authorities.

● Items prohibited or restricted from importation by French customs include (but are not limited to) lighters that use butane gas, baby bottles, urns, goods falsely marked as being made in or originating from France, human remains, items containing lead salts and jewelry, imitation pearls and pearl-like products, live plants and animals, goods with measurement markings that violate French law, counterfeit and infringing intellectual property goods, radioactive materials, and saccharin tablets or packets.

French tax policy on imported goods

● France enforces the unified customs tariff rates and management system of the European Union.

● Whether individuals or business entities import goods into France (from countries outside the EU), import duties and other taxes must be paid. Import duties are calculated based on the freight value, which is the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value.

● The tariff rates in France generally range from 0% to 17%.

● France enforces the unified customs tariff rates and management system of the European Union.

● Whether individuals or business entities import goods into France (from countries outside the EU), import duties and other taxes must be paid. Import duties are calculated based on the freight value, which is the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value.

Air freight to France

As China's first major foreign trade port, Shenzhen's advantages for shipping to France are self-evident. Shenzhen Airport has a large-scale cargo air carrier airport and an international cargo hub that can provide exporters with a full range of cargo services.

Main airports in France

Charles de Gaulle International Airport

Regarding cargo, Charles de Gaulle International Airport is the tenth busiest airport in the world and the number one transport hub in Europe. The combined handling capacity is 3.9 million tonnes, with 3.6 million at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and 300,000 at Paris-Orly. In addition, it has a strong air transport network with three main transport hubs: Air France, FedEx and Post.

Paris Orly Airport

Also located on Paris's outskirts, it is France's second-largest airport. Oly airport is mainly used for domestic and European flights and is one of the main bases for Air France and low-cost airlines.

Marseille Provence Airport

Located in the city of Marseille in the south of France, it is the fifth largest airport in France. It is one of the most important airports in the Mediterranean region, offering domestic and international flights and is the main gateway to Provence and Corsica.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

Located in the city of Nice in the south of France, it is the main airport of the famous Côte d'Azur region. It is the third largest airport in France, offering flights to and from European and international destinations and is the main gateway to the Mediterranean resorts.

Lyon Saint-Exupéry International Airport

Situated in the eastern part of France in the city of Lyon, it is the fourth largest airport in the country. Saint-Exupéry Airport is a central aviation hub in the southeast of France, offering domestic and international flights, connecting Europe and other regions.

Costs of air freight to France

Cost components: The cost of airfreight to France usually includes the direct costs of the airfreight company, such as airfreight charges, fuel surcharges, security fees, etc. It also includes other additional costs, such as insurance, storage, customs clearance, etc.

Influencing factors: The cost of airfreight to France is also influenced by the goods' weight, volume and nature.

Advantages of airfreight to France

Speed: Air freight to France is one of exporters' fastest and most reliable logistics methods and will usually arrive faster than other methods.

High security: as the transport of goods is governed by many security regulations and regulatory bodies, air freight to France guarantees the security of your goods and reduces the risk of loss and damage to them

Global reach: airfreight to France is one of the fastest ways to reach all corners of the globe, allowing for urgent needs, saving time and reducing costs.

Sea freight to France

Shipping routes from China to France

There are multiple options for sea routes from China to France. Here are some commonly used sea routes:

Port of Shanghai/Ningbo/Shekou, China - Port of Le Havre, France: 

This common sea route connects major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shekou with the Port of Le Havre in France. Le Havre is one of the largest ports in France, located in the northwest region and serving as an important transportation hub connecting France and inland Europe.

Port of Shanghai/Ningbo/Shekou, China - Port of Marseille, France: 

This is another commonly used sea route connecting major Chinese ports with the Port of Marseille in France. Marseille is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean region, located in the south of France, and serves as a significant trade gateway between France and coastal countries in the Mediterranean region as well as North African countries.

Port of Shanghai/Ningbo/Shekou, China - Port of Rouen, France: 

This sea route connects China with the northern region of France. Rouen is located in the Normandy region of France and serves as one of the largest liquid bulk ports and the largest grain export port in Europe.

Shipping costs to France

Types of sea freight charges in France

Depending on the route and service, there are different types of sea freight rates for France. The most common are full container and consolidation shipments. Full container shipping is suitable for larger cargoes, where the entire container is occupied by the same shipper. On the other hand, LCL is suitable for smaller cargoes, where the cargoes of several owners can be placed in the same container.

Factors affecting sea freight costs in France

In addition to the weight, size and distance of the cargo to be transported, other factors may affect the cost of shipping by sea to France. For example, the busyness of the route and the supply and demand, the quality and special requirements of the cargo, the type and number of containers, etc.

Tips for minimizing shipping expenses when shipping to France

To reduce shipping costs to France, consider booking in advance for better rates, minimizing cargo weight and size, and choosing the right containers for efficient space utilization.

Express to France

You can use various courier companies like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and more to send your parcels to France. These companies offer international courier services, ensuring the safe delivery of your packages to destinations in France. You can choose a courier service that suits your needs and budget, provide the necessary package information, and pay the shipping fees. Please note that delivery times and costs may vary depending on the courier company and service type you choose.

Is there a tax for sending parcels to France?

If the declared value exceeds the threshold, taxes may apply. The point for shipments to France is 22 euros, approximately 175.5 Chinese yuan. The tariff declaration for the European Union is around 30%, so it's important to accurately fill out the customs invoice to avoid any issues. If you're unsure how to fill out the invoice, you can seek assistance from the shipping company.

Can electronic products/cosmetics be sent to France?

Electronic products can be sent via international courier services without issues. However, international couriers classify cosmetics as sensitive goods, and regular logistics channels may not allow their shipment. Special logistics channels or EMS (Express Mail Service) may be required to send cosmetics.

How is the postage calculated for sending parcels to France?

The postage is calculated based on the initial weight and any additional weight. The cost is determined by the weight, dimensions, and type of items being shipped. The shipping company or official courier will provide a quote based on these details. International commercial courier companies charge based on the actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater, while EMS charges based on the actual weight.

What you need to know about sending couriers to France

Choosing which courier service to use to send parcels to France depends on factors such as the provided cargo information and time requirements. It involves arranging a suitable channel to deliver the goods to France at a favorable price, ensuring safety and efficiency. Let's first understand the advantages of these common international couriers.

DHL: DHL is particularly advantageous for small shipments weighing below 21kg. It offers a relatively stable delivery time of 3-4 days.

FedEx: FedEx excels in the 21-99kg weight range. FedEx offers competitive pricing and a delivery time of approximately five days in this weight category.

UPS: UPS is best suited for large shipments weighing over 100kg. It provides cost-effective pricing for bulky cargo and typically has a shorter delivery time of around five days.

TNT: TNT is also advantageous for large shipments weighing over 100kg. It often offers lower prices than UPS, with a similar delivery time of approximately five days.

EMS: EMS is suitable for shipping food and cosmetics products. It has strong customs clearance capabilities and charges freight based on the actual weight of the goods.

Can I send food and cosmetics products to France?

Yes, you can send food and cosmetics products to France as long as they are not perishable items. "Food" is considered a sensitive item in international shipping and is typically not accepted through regular channels by the major international courier services. However, it can be sent through consolidation services using sensitive goods accounts. Postal services are a good option for shipping food as they have fewer concerns regarding customs clearance and return risks. Food items should be vacuum-sealed and should not have any odor leakage.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing Shenzhen air freight to France has obvious advantages. As a Shenzhen logistics service company, rich freight routes, price comparisons, and other environmental factors will help enterprises gain a greater competitive advantage in the global market and improve the efficiency of their export products. At the same time, JIKE has been giving customers the best service with all factors such as strength, reputation, service scope, price, customs clearance capability and risk control.

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