Planning to move to France? An exciting new chapter awaits—but the process of packing your belongings and managing international shipping can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about shipping your belongings to France.
Declutter
The key to a successful international relocation is decluttering. Since international shipping can be expensive, downsizing is essential.
Start by decluttering room by room, focusing on what you truly use and value. Ask yourself whether each item is worth the cost and effort to ship to France. If it hasn’t been used in the past year or won’t serve a purpose in your new life abroad, it may be time to let it go. By reducing your load early on, you’ll simplify the moving process and avoid unnecessary shipping costs.
Shipping methods
After you’ve decided what to bring, it’s time to choose the best shipping method based on your budget, timeline, and the volume of items you’re sending.
There are several methods to ship to France, each with its own pros and cons:
- Air freight: Air freight is the fastest method to ship your belongings to France, but it’s also the most expensive. If you need your items to arrive quickly, air freight is your best option. This method is ideal for high-priority items or smaller loads that can’t afford to be delayed.
- Sea freight: For larger shipments, sea freight is a more affordable option. While it takes longer (usually 6 to 8 weeks), it’s ideal for shipping bulky items like furniture or large quantities of boxes. If you’re not in a rush and want to save money, sea freight is a practical choice when you move to France.
- International moving companies: Hiring a professional moving company can take the stress out of the process when you need to ship to France. These companies specialize in international relocations and handle everything from packing your items to managing customs paperwork and delivering your belongings directly to your new home. However, this service comes at a premium price, so it’s best suited for larger moves or if you prefer a hands-off approach.
- Courier services: If you’re only shipping a few personal items, courier services like DHL, FedEx, or UPS are reliable options. These services are well-suited for smaller, lighter shipments, and they offer tracking and insurance to ensure your items are safe during transit.
Key considerations
While planning your move to France, here are some important factors to keep in mind when shipping your belongings:
- Customs regulations: One of the most important steps when you ship to France is ensuring that you comply with French customs regulations. You’ll need to provide a detailed inventory of your belongings, including the value of each item. For detailed information on customs regulations, visit the official French customs website.
- Shipping insurance: Consider purchasing shipping insurance, especially if you’re moving valuable or fragile items. Shipping insurance provides coverage for any potential damage, loss, or theft during the transit process, offering peace of mind when you ship to France.
- Shipping costs: Shipping costs can vary significantly depending on the volume, method, and carrier. Make sure to request multiple quotes from different companies before making a decision. By comparing options, you can find the best deal that suits your needs when you move to France.
Allowed and prohibited items
Before shipping your belongings to France, it’s crucial to know which items you can and cannot send. French customs are strict about what can enter the country.
Items you can safely ship:
- Personal belongings: Clothes, books, electronics, furniture, and other household items.
- Documents: Important legal documents, personal letters, and paperwork.
- Non-perishable goods: Certain packaged food items may be allowed.
- Electronics: Laptops, phones, and personal electronics are generally accepted.
Items that require special approval or are prohibited:
- Perishable goods: Fresh fruits, meats, and dairy are often prohibited.
- Hazardous materials: Chemicals, flammable liquids and certain types of batteries (especially lithium-ion).
- Medications: Some medications require special authorization. For more details, read our guide: https://gogofrance.com/en/blog/bring-medication-to-france/
French address system
Properly formatting the address is essential for the safe delivery of your items when shipping to France.
French addresses follow a specific structure:
Name of recipient
Street number and name
Postal code and city
Country
In some cases, additional details such as apartment or building numbers are included. For example, “Apt.” refers to “appartement,” and “Bat.” is short for “bâtiment” (building). These details are placed after the street number and before the postal code.
Here’s an example:
Jean Roger
Apt. 5 Bat. B
12 rue de la Paix
75008 Paris
France
