The Cheapest Way to Ship a Package to France in 2026

France is one of the most popular European destinations for US packages — driven by tourism, business, fashion, and the large French-American community. La Poste operates an efficient postal system, but EU customs rules and VAT add complexity.

Rate Comparison: US to France

Rates from New York to Paris.

Best Options

Small Items (Under 4 lbs)

USPS First-Class Package International at $15–$24. Cheapest option. Delivery takes 1–3 weeks.

Medium (4–15 lbs)

USPS Flat Rate Boxes:

• Small Flat Rate: ~$40 (excellent for heavy, compact items)
• Medium Flat Rate: ~$60
• Large Flat Rate: ~$80

Alternatively, compare UPS/FedEx commercial rates through atoship — often competitive for items over 5 lbs.

Heavy (15+ lbs)

UPS or FedEx commercial rates through atoship are cheapest and faster than USPS.

French Customs & VAT

VAT (TVA)

France charges 20% VAT on most imported goods (reduced rates: 10% for food/non-alcoholic drinks, 5.5% for books, 2.1% for newspapers/medicines).

Important: Since July 2021, VAT applies to ALL imports regardless of value — there is no de minimis exemption.

Customs Duties

• Apply on goods valued above €150
• Rates vary by product category (typically 5–12%)
• Below €150: VAT only

Who Pays?

• For personal shipments: the recipient pays upon delivery (charged by La Poste or the delivery carrier)
• For e-commerce: if you're registered for IOSS, you collect VAT at checkout

Documentation

• CN 22 or CN 23: USPS customs forms (CN 22 for items under $400)
• Commercial Invoice: Required for UPS/FedEx
• Item descriptions: Must be specific — French customs reject vague descriptions
• HS tariff codes: Recommended for commercial shipments

French Address Format

Monsieur/Madame [Name]
[Apartment/Floor]
[Street Number] [Street Name]
[Postal Code] [CITY (uppercase)]
FRANCE

French postal codes are 5 digits. City names are traditionally written in uppercase.

Delivery in France

• La Poste/Colissimo: Handles USPS last-mile delivery — reliable in urban and suburban areas
• Chronopost: La Poste's express division, handles some UPS/FedEx deliveries
• Point Relais: France has thousands of pickup points (shops, lockers) — many recipients prefer this
• Delivery attempts: 2 attempts, then held at the local bureau de poste for 15 days
• Tracking: Colissimo tracking works well within France

Saving Money

1. Compare on atoship

atoship shows all carrier options with commercial discounts — saving $15–$35 per international package.

2. USPS Flat Rate for Heavy Items

Flat Rate boxes shine for heavy, compact items to France.

3. Declare Accurately

French customs are thorough. Accurate declarations speed up clearance.

4. Avoid Gift Fraud

Marking commercial items as "gifts" to avoid VAT is illegal in the EU and can result in package seizure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship to France from the US?

A small package (1 lb) costs $15–$24 via USPS First-Class International. Medium packages run $40–$74 via Priority Mail International. Commercial rates through atoship save 20–50%.

How long does shipping to France take?

USPS Priority Mail International: 6–10 business days. UPS/FedEx economy: 4–6 days. Express services: 2–3 days.

Will my French recipient pay customs fees?

Yes. France charges 20% VAT on all imports. For items over €150, additional customs duties may apply. The recipient pays these fees upon delivery.

Can I ship food to France?

Packaged, shelf-stable foods (snacks, candy, coffee) are generally fine. The EU restricts meat, dairy, and animal products from non-EU countries. Check EU regulations before shipping food items.