How to Ship from the US to France: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

France is one of the largest e-commerce markets in Europe, ranking third behind the United Kingdom and Germany. With over 42 million online shoppers and a thriving consumer culture that embraces everything from fashion to electronics, France represents a significant opportunity for US-based businesses and individuals looking to ship internationally. Whether you are sending personal gifts to loved ones in Paris, fulfilling orders from French customers through your online store, or relocating personal belongings, understanding the ins and outs of shipping from the US to France is essential to ensuring your packages arrive safely, on time, and without unexpected costs.

France is a founding member of the European Union, which means shipments entering the country are subject to EU-wide customs regulations, VAT requirements, and import duty thresholds. The country also has well-developed postal and logistics infrastructure, making it relatively straightforward to ship to compared to some other international destinations. However, navigating French customs, choosing the right carrier, and understanding the cost structure can still be confusing for first-time international shippers.

This guide covers everything you need to know about shipping from the US to France in 2026, including the best carriers, realistic costs and transit times, customs and duty regulations, prohibited items, packaging tips, tracking options, and strategies to save money on your shipments.

Best Carriers for Shipping to France

Several major carriers offer reliable shipping services from the US to France, each with different strengths depending on your budget, speed requirements, and package size.

USPS (United States Postal Service) remains the most affordable option for lightweight packages and documents. USPS offers Priority Mail International, which provides delivery in 6 to 10 business days for most shipments to France, and Priority Mail Express International, which delivers in 3 to 5 business days. For budget-conscious shippers, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4 pounds with delivery in 7 to 21 business days. USPS also partners with La Poste, the French national postal service, for final delivery, which means packages benefit from La Poste's extensive domestic delivery network.

UPS offers a range of time-definite services to France. UPS Worldwide Express delivers in 1 to 3 business days and is ideal for urgent commercial shipments. UPS Worldwide Expedited provides delivery in 2 to 5 business days at a lower cost, while UPS Worldwide Saver offers next-business-day delivery by end of day. UPS also provides UPS Standard, an economical ground-based option for less time-sensitive shipments with transit times of 5 to 8 business days. UPS is particularly strong for heavier packages and palletized freight.

FedEx provides FedEx International Priority with delivery in 1 to 3 business days, FedEx International Economy with delivery in 2 to 5 business days, and FedEx International First for next-business-day morning delivery. FedEx also offers FedEx International Ground for shipments from the US to Canada, but for France, the air-based services are your options. FedEx excels at providing detailed tracking and customs clearance assistance for commercial shipments.

DHL Express is another strong option, especially for e-commerce businesses. DHL has a massive international network and offers delivery to France in 1 to 3 business days. DHL is particularly well-regarded for its customs brokerage services, which can simplify the import process significantly.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Shipping costs from the US to France depend on package weight, dimensions, service level, and origin ZIP code. Here are realistic rate ranges for 2026:

These rates are approximate and can vary based on exact dimensions, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand. Dimensional weight pricing applies with UPS, FedEx, and DHL, so oversized but lightweight packages may cost more than expected. During peak holiday seasons (November through January), expect surcharges and slightly longer transit times.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

As an EU member state, France follows the European Union's customs regulations. Understanding these rules is critical to avoiding delays, unexpected charges, or seized shipments.

De Minimis Threshold: The EU applies a de minimis threshold of EUR 150 for customs duties. This means that commercial shipments valued at EUR 150 or less are exempt from customs duties, but they are still subject to VAT. Prior to July 2021, shipments under EUR 22 were exempt from VAT, but that exemption was eliminated with the introduction of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system. Now all commercial imports into France are subject to VAT regardless of value.

Value Added Tax (VAT): France applies a standard VAT rate of 20% on most imported goods. Reduced rates of 10%, 5.5%, or 2.1% apply to certain categories like food, books, and pharmaceuticals. VAT is calculated on the customs value of the goods plus any applicable duties and shipping costs.

Customs Duties: For shipments exceeding EUR 150, customs duties are assessed based on the Harmonized System (HS) tariff code of the goods. Duty rates vary widely, from 0% for some electronics to 12% or higher for clothing and textiles. You can look up specific duty rates using the EU's TARIC database.

Customs Documentation: All shipments to France require a customs declaration form. USPS uses form CN 22 for items valued under $400 and form CN 23 or CP 72 for items over $400. UPS, FedEx, and DHL require a commercial invoice that includes a detailed description of goods, quantity, value, country of origin, HS tariff codes, and shipper and recipient information. Accurate documentation is the single most important factor in avoiding customs delays.

Personal Gifts: Gifts sent between private individuals may qualify for a duty exemption up to EUR 45. To qualify, the package must be clearly marked as a gift, sent from one private individual to another, and not involve any payment.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

France and the EU enforce strict import controls on certain categories of goods. The following items are prohibited or restricted when shipping from the US to France:

• Prohibited: Narcotics and illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, certain weapons and ammunition, products containing asbestos, certain animal products without proper CITES documentation, and goods that violate intellectual property rights.
• Restricted: Alcohol and tobacco products (subject to excise duties and licensing), food products (must comply with EU food safety regulations), plant and plant products (may require phytosanitary certificates), medications (personal use quantities with prescription may be allowed), electronics (must meet EU CE marking requirements), and cosmetics (must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation).
• Country-Specific: France has additional restrictions on certain types of knives, radar detectors, and products containing certain chemicals banned under REACH regulations. Dietary supplements face particularly strict scrutiny, as many US supplements contain ingredients not approved in the EU.

Always check the latest French customs regulations before shipping restricted items, as rules can change.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Proper packaging is essential for international shipments, which undergo more handling, longer transit times, and potentially rougher treatment than domestic packages.

Use a sturdy corrugated cardboard box rated for international shipping. Double-walled boxes are recommended for fragile or heavy items. Wrap individual items in bubble wrap or foam padding, and fill all empty space with packing material to prevent shifting during transit. For fragile items, use at least 2 to 3 inches of cushioning on all sides.

Seal boxes with heavy-duty packing tape, applying it in an H-pattern across all seams. Avoid using string, twine, or wrapping paper, as these can get caught in sorting machinery. Place a copy of your shipping label and customs documentation inside the package in case the external label is damaged.

Label your package clearly with the recipient's full name, complete street address, postal code (French postal codes are 5 digits), city, and "FRANCE" as the country. Include a phone number for the recipient, as French customs or the delivery carrier may need to contact them for customs clearance.

For items sensitive to moisture or temperature, use appropriate protective materials and consider adding "FRAGILE" or "THIS SIDE UP" labels, though these are not guaranteed to be followed.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All major carriers offer tracking for international shipments to France.

USPS provides tracking through the USPS website, though tracking detail may become less frequent once the package enters La Poste's network in France. Priority Mail Express International includes full tracking through delivery, while Priority Mail International provides tracking with delivery confirmation. First-Class Package International Service includes basic tracking.

UPS, FedEx, and DHL all provide detailed end-to-end tracking that updates at each stage of the shipment, from pickup to customs clearance to final delivery. These carriers also offer email and SMS notifications.

Insurance: USPS Priority Mail International includes up to $200 of insurance coverage, and Priority Mail Express International includes up to $200 as well, with additional insurance available for purchase. UPS and FedEx include declared value coverage, and you can purchase additional coverage up to the full value of your shipment. DHL also offers shipment value protection. For high-value items, consider purchasing third-party shipping insurance from providers like Shipsurance or InsurePost, which often offer lower rates than carrier-provided insurance.

How to Save on International Shipping

International shipping to France can be expensive, but several strategies can help reduce costs:

Compare rates across carriers: Rates can vary significantly between carriers for the same package. A shipment that costs $95 with one carrier might cost $65 with another. Always compare rates before booking.

Use Atoship for discounted rates: Atoship provides access to pre-negotiated commercial rates with major carriers, often saving 20% to 40% compared to retail counter rates. The platform lets you compare rates across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers side by side and choose the best option for your specific shipment.

Ship in flat-rate boxes when possible: USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate boxes offer predictable pricing regardless of weight (up to 20 lbs for medium and large flat-rate boxes). A Medium Flat Rate Box to France costs approximately $60 to $70 and can hold a significant amount of merchandise.

Optimize packaging to reduce dimensional weight: UPS, FedEx, and DHL use dimensional weight pricing, which means oversized boxes with light contents will be charged at a higher rate. Use the smallest box that safely fits your items.

Consolidate shipments: If you regularly ship to France, consolidating multiple orders into fewer, larger shipments can reduce per-unit shipping costs.

Prepay duties and taxes with DDP shipping: Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping means the sender pays all customs duties and taxes upfront. While this adds to the initial cost, it eliminates surprise charges for the recipient and can improve customer satisfaction for e-commerce sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship from the US to France? Transit times range from 1 to 3 business days with express services (UPS Worldwide Express, FedEx International Priority, DHL Express), 3 to 10 business days with standard services (USPS Priority Mail International, UPS Worldwide Expedited, FedEx International Economy), and up to 21 days for economy services like USPS First-Class Package International. Customs clearance can add 1 to 3 additional days.

Do I have to pay customs duties on gifts to France? Gifts sent between private individuals are exempt from customs duties up to EUR 45 in value. Above that threshold, duties and VAT apply. Gifts must be clearly marked as such on the customs declaration.

What is the cheapest way to ship a package from the US to France? For small, lightweight items under 4 pounds, USPS First-Class Package International Service is typically the cheapest option. For heavier packages, USPS Priority Mail International or flat-rate boxes often offer the best value. Using Atoship to compare discounted commercial rates can further reduce costs by 20% to 40%.

Will my recipient have to pay taxes when receiving a package from the US? If the shipment is valued above EUR 150, customs duties will apply. VAT at 20% applies to all commercial imports regardless of value. The recipient will typically need to pay any duties and VAT upon delivery or at the local customs office before the package is released, unless the sender has prepaid using DDP shipping.