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Shipping from China to FranceShipping from China to France
Reliable China → France freight for importers who need air, sea, express and DDP (door-to-door) with customs support in one place.
Quick Answer: China to France Shipping Costs & Times
Shipping from China to France takes 3–7 days by air (around $3.40–$7.20/kg) and 25–38 days by sea (20ft from about $1,300, LCL from $150–$260/CBM). DDP door-to-door to Paris, Lyon, Marseille and nationwide is available with French customs (DELTA) clearance and 20% VAT handled.
France is Europe's third-largest economy — fashion, luxury goods, eCommerce and industrial cargo move through Paris CDG (Europe's #1 air cargo hub) and the ports of Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer. The final rate depends on weight, CBM, product type, pickup city and your French delivery address.
Choose the Best Shipping Method to France
Compare by speed, cost, cargo size and customs needs — then pick the option that fits.
Air Freight
Best for: Fashion, luxury goods and urgent commercial cargo.
Transit time: Usually 3–7 days to CDG / ORY / LYS.
Cost guide: Around $3.40–$7.20/kg depending on weight and route.
✅ Choose this if: Speed matters for high-value or time-sensitive cargo.
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)
Best for: Bulk cargo, furniture and full containers.
Transit time: 25–38 days to Le Havre / Fos-sur-Mer.
Cost guide: 20ft from about $1,300; LCL $150–$260/CBM.
✅ Choose this if: Cost efficiency for larger volumes.
Express
Best for: Samples and small parcels under 10kg.
Transit time: 3–7 days door-to-door.
Cost guide: Courier zone-based; discounted rates available.
✅ Choose this if: Small urgent packages need fast courier delivery.
DDP
Best for: Importers who want French customs (DELTA) and 20% VAT handled.
Transit time: DDP air 6–9 days; DDP sea 30–42 days.
Cost guide: All-in per-kg or per-CBM pricing by route and cargo type.
✅ Choose this if: You want one all-in price with customs and VAT managed.
Air Freight from China to France (2026 Reference Rates)
Reference air cargo rates by weight break on popular routes. Final quotes depend on exact weight, volume, season and airline space.
| Route | Transit | 100kg | 300kg | 500kg | 1000kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai (PVG) → Paris (CDG) | 3–6 days | $1,120–$1,480 | $2,360–$3,140 | $3,540–$4,700 | $6,600–$8,800 |
| Shenzhen (SZX) → Paris (CDG) | 3–7 days | $1,140–$1,500 | $2,400–$3,200 | $3,600–$4,780 | $6,700–$8,950 |
| Guangzhou (CAN) → Lyon (LYS) | 4–7 days | $1,160–$1,540 | $2,440–$3,260 | $3,660–$4,880 | $6,800–$9,100 |
Surcharges: fuel and peak-season surcharges can move rates 10–25% in Q4. Rates above are estimates — use our Freight Cost Calculator for a quick quote.
Sea Freight from China to France (2026 Reference Rates)
FCL (full container) and LCL (per CBM) reference rates on major lanes:
| Route | Transit | 20ft FCL | 40ft FCL | LCL / CBM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai → Le Havre | 25–34 days | $1,300–$2,050 | $2,450–$3,420 | $150–$220/CBM |
| Ningbo → Le Havre | 26–36 days | $1,360–$2,150 | $2,520–$3,550 | $160–$230/CBM |
| Shenzhen → Fos-sur-Mer | 28–38 days | $1,420–$2,280 | $2,650–$3,720 | $170–$260/CBM |
Surcharges: BAF (bunker adjustment) and PSS (peak season surcharge) move with fuel and demand — our quotes are all-in and itemized.
DDP Shipping from China to France
DDP to France includes pickup in China, international freight, French customs clearance (DELTA system), 20% VAT (TVA) and final delivery. French importers need a SIREN/SIRET tax number for customs — for DDP we manage clearance end-to-end and itemize VAT so there are no surprises.
📦 What's included in our DDP service
- Pickup from your supplier — any city in China
- Export customs clearance and consolidation at our warehouse
- International air or sea freight on the confirmed schedule
- France customs clearance with duties and taxes handled
- Duties and taxes prepaid per the agreed terms — no surprises at arrival
- Final delivery to your door — warehouse, shop or home, nationwide
🛣️ How a DDP shipment actually flows
- Pickup from your supplier anywhere in China — we consolidate at our export warehouse.
- Export customs clearance, then air or sea freight booked on the confirmed schedule.
- Destination clearance prepared before arrival: HS classification, duties and taxes calculated upfront.
- Customs clearance and duty settlement on arrival, handled by our local team.
- Final delivery to your door — warehouse, shop or home, nationwide.
Major Ports in France: Key Gateways from China
Most sea shipments from China arrive through the gateways below. Choosing the right arrival port can save hundreds of dollars per container on inland trucking — we route every FCL quote through the most cost-effective gateway for your delivery address.
| Port / Hub | Transit from China | Why it matters | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Havre | 25–34 days | France's largest container port — the main gateway for Paris and the north. | General cargo, retail and eCommerce for northern France. |
| Fos-sur-Mer (Marseille) | 26–36 days | Mediterranean gateway — the fastest option for southern France and Lyon. | Southern France, Lyon and Mediterranean flows. |
| Dunkirk | 25–34 days | Secondary northern port for specific cargo flows. | Niche flows and overflow capacity. |
| Paris CDG (air) | 3–5 days | Europe's #1 air-cargo hub — the backbone of China–France air freight. | High-value, urgent and eCommerce air cargo. |
Customs & Documents: Importing to France
French clearance runs on the DELTA system with a mandatory EORI (and typically a SIREN number for the importer). Documentation quality drives clearance speed — accurate invoices and HS codes prevent 90% of delays.
📋 The France clearance process
- Confirm EORI and SIREN/SIRET registration (ours for DDP).
- Verify HS classification and duty rate before sailing.
- File the DELTA customs declaration and settle 20% TVA.
- CE and French-labelling compliance check for consumer goods.
- ENS (Safety & Security) declaration for sea cargo before arrival.
📄 Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice (accurate value & HS codes)
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- EORI number (handled for DDP)
- SIREN/SIRET registration (handled for DDP)
- DELTA customs declaration (filed by us)
- CE declarations for regulated products
- COO where a trade agreement applies
Local Market Insight: What We Know About Shipping to France
Paris CDG is the busiest air cargo hub in Europe, which makes France the natural air gateway for fashion, luxury and time-sensitive eCommerce from China. For sea cargo, Le Havre is the classic gateway but Fos-sur-Mer (Marseille) increasingly wins southern-France deliveries with shorter truck legs.
The French paperwork hurdle is the SIREN/SIRET registration — foreign sellers often assume they can import without it, then stall at clearance. Our DDP desk clears under a French-registered partner so first shipments land on time.
20% TVA is the dominant landed-cost line. French buyers who are VAT-registered reclaim it, but the cash-flow timing surprises new sellers — we show the VAT line explicitly on every quote.
🧑💼 Who imports from China to France?
- Fashion & luxury importers — air freight via CDG, high-value and time-sensitive.
- Amazon.fr & eCommerce sellers — consumer goods with French labelling.
- Industrial buyers in Lyon and the south — machinery and components via Fos.
Seasonal Shipping Calendar — France
When to book, what to expect — the real seasonality of the France lane:
Ports & Inland Logistics: The Ground Reality
- Le Havre: France's largest container port — main gateway for Paris and the north.
- Fos-sur-Mer (Marseille): Mediterranean gateway, fastest for southern France and Lyon.
- Dunkirk: secondary northern port for specific cargo flows.
- Paris CDG: Europe's #1 air cargo hub — the backbone of China–France air freight.
Importing to France: Key Things to Know
- French customs operates the DELTA electronic declaration system; an EORI number is mandatory for EU imports.
- 20% VAT (TVA) applies to most goods — reclaimable for VAT-registered French businesses.
- A SIREN/SIRET number is needed for customs and commercial operations in France.
- Consumer goods sold in France generally need French-language labelling and CE marking for regulated categories.
- Paris CDG is Europe's #1 air cargo hub — ideal for time-sensitive fashion and eCommerce.
Compare shipping costs to nearby markets
Popular departure cities for France shipments
Pick the city closest to your supplier — rates and local know-how included.
Guides for importing to France
Shipping Time from China to France: 2026 Transit Times by Air & Sea
Air freight takes 3-7 days, sea freight 25-38 days, and express 3-5 days from China to France. France adds its own quirks: port strikes, the August summer slowdown and the Q4 European peak — here is the full door-to-door timeline.
Read Article →
Shipping Cost from China to France: 2026 Rates, TVA & Landed Cost
Air freight runs $3.40-$7.20/kg, a 20ft container $1,300-$2,300, and LCL $150-$260/CBM from China to France. Plus the 20% TVA and EU duty you must budget for — here are the real 2026 numbers with a full landed-cost breakdown.
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