We ship from China to France every week — sea freight to Le Havre and Marseille, air freight to Paris CDG, rail freight via Duisburg and Lyon. Door-to-door delivery, DDP available, French customs clearance handled.
📦 Get a quote in 24 hours — send us your shipment details.
Shipping Options: China to France
🚢 Sea Freight — Le Havre & Marseille
Best for bulk cargo, furniture, textiles, and shipments over 15 CBM. Le Havre is France’s main Atlantic container gateway; Marseille serves the Mediterranean and southern France.
| Service | Transit Time | Cost Range (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL 20ft to Le Havre | 28–35 days | $1,440–$1,760 | 15–25 CBM |
| FCL 40HQ to Le Havre | 28–35 days | $4,700–$5,600 | 25+ CBM |
| LCL to Le Havre | 32–45 days | $90–$180 per CBM | 1–13 CBM |
What to know: Le Havre is one of France’s strictest ports — customs inspections are more frequent than Rotterdam or Hamburg, and document mismatches trigger storage costs. We pre-check your commercial invoice, packing list, and French EORI before the vessel arrives.
📦 Tell us your CBM and destination city — we’ll quote Le Havre and Marseille, whichever is cheaper. Send your details.
✈️ Air Freight — Paris CDG, Lyon, Marseille
Best for electronics, high-value goods, cosmetics samples, and urgent restocks under 500 kg. Paris Charles de Gaulle is France’s main air cargo hub.
| Service | Transit Time | Cost Range (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight 100–300 kg | 5–7 days | $3.50–$8.00/kg | Urgent, mid-weight |
| Air Freight 300–500 kg | 5–7 days | $3.20–$7.00/kg | Larger urgent batches |
| Express (DHL/UPS) | 3–5 days | $6–$12/kg | Samples, small parcels |
What to know: France now requires the SIREN-based EORI format (FR + 9 digits). The old FR + 14-digit SIRET format is being phased out in 2026. We validate your EORI before booking, so clearance doesn’t stall on a format error.
✈️ Send us the weight and product type — we’ll compare airlines and transit times. Get an air freight comparison.
🚂 Rail Freight — via Duisburg / Lyon
Best for mid-value, time-sensitive cargo between 5–25 CBM. Faster than sea, cheaper than air. China-Europe trains arrive at Duisburg or Hamburg, then truck into France; some routes connect via Lyon for southern destinations.
| Service | Transit Time | Cost Range (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail FCL 40HQ | 18–22 days | $4,000–$6,000 | 20+ CBM |
| Rail LCL | 20–25 days | $2.80–$5.00/kg | 5–20 CBM |
What to know: Rail shipments clear customs at the EU entry point (Duisburg/Hamburg) or in France depending on routing. We confirm the clearance point before booking, so you know exactly where the declaration is lodged.
🚂 Not sure whether rail beats sea or air? Send us the volume and timeline — we’ll model all three. Get a rail vs sea vs air comparison.
France Customs: What We Handle
French customs (Douane) is not the same as “EU customs.” It has its own EORI format, its own VAT registration rules, and — since 2026 — a new low-value duty regime.
| Service | What It Means |
|---|---|
| SIREN EORI validation | We confirm your EORI is in the new FR + 9-digit SIREN format, not the old SIRET format |
| Customs declaration | We file the French import declaration before goods arrive |
| HS / TARIC classification | We check codes against the current EU tariff schedule |
| 20% import VAT | Calculated on CIF value plus duty — included under DDP |
| Regime 42 advisory | We explain what changed in 2026 and whether you need French VAT registration |
| CE / REACH documents | We check product certificates before shipment |
What you need to provide: commercial invoice, packing list, SIREN-based EORI, and any product certificates (CE, REACH). Under DDP, we can use our own EORI if you don’t have a French one.
DDP vs DDU for France
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays duty & VAT | We do | You do |
| Who clears customs | We do | You or your broker |
| Price | One all-in number | Freight only |
| Best for | First-time importers, no French EORI/VAT | VAT-registered importers with their own EORI |
Which one should you choose? If you don’t have a French EORI and VAT registration, choose DDP — one price, no surprise charges. If you are VAT-registered in France and have your own SIREN-based EORI, DDU may be cheaper because you control clearance and recover VAT directly.
📦 Tell us your situation and we’ll recommend the right option. Get your DDP or DDU quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from China to France take?
Sea freight FCL: 28–35 days. Sea freight LCL: 32–45 days. Rail freight: 18–22 days. Air freight: 5–7 days. All door-to-door.
How much does it cost to ship from China to France?
Sea freight 20ft: $1,440–$1,760. Sea freight 40HQ: $4,700–$5,600. LCL: $90–$180 per CBM. Air freight: $3.50–$8.00 per kg. Rail: $2.80–$5.00 per kg. Rates fluctuate by season — ask for a current quote.
Do I need an EORI number to ship to France?
Yes, for customs clearance. France now uses the SIREN-based EORI format (FR + 9 digits). If you don’t have one, we can use our own EORI under DDP terms.
What is Regime 42 and did it change in 2026?
Regime 42 was a VAT simplification for goods moving across EU borders. France abolished the one-off fiscal representation that made it usable for non-EU importers. If you’re shipping under DDP without French VAT registration, you may need an accredited fiscal representative. Read the full explanation here.
What is the €3 per-item duty?
Since July 1, 2026, the EU applies a €3 flat customs duty per product line on shipments under €150 from non-EU countries, plus 20% French import VAT.
Can you consolidate shipments from multiple suppliers?
Yes. We pick up from multiple factories in China and consolidate everything at our Shenzhen warehouse before shipping to France.
Do you deliver to Amazon FBA warehouses in France?
Yes. We handle FBA prep, labeling, and delivery to Amazon.fr fulfillment centers across France.
Which French port do you use?
Le Havre is our primary port for northern France and Paris. Marseille is the alternative for southern France and the Mediterranean. We choose the port that offers the best combination of transit time and cost for your cargo.
What if my shipment gets stuck at French customs?
It usually happens because of a document mismatch or an EORI format issue, not a tariff dispute. We’ve handled SIREN EORI rejections at Le Havre. Read a real case here.
Ready to Ship from China to France?
Just send us three things:
- Product name — what you’re shipping
- Approximate weight or volume — kg or CBM, a rough estimate is fine
- Destination city in France — Paris, Lyon, Marseille, or anywhere else
We’ll handle the rest — carrier selection, French customs clearance, duty, VAT, and delivery — and reply within 24 hours with a detailed quote.
✅ Sea freight to Le Havre and Marseille
✅ Air freight to Paris CDG, Lyon, and Marseille
✅ Rail freight via Duisburg / Lyon
✅ DDP door-to-door — duty and VAT included
✅ SIREN EORI validation — we check the new format before booking
✅ Supplier consolidation — multiple factories, one shipment
📦 Send those three things now and let’s get your shipment moving.