Shipping From China to France — Air and Sea
Air freight to Paris CDG, sea freight to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos. All available with DDP — EU duty and French VAT pre-paid.
Freight Options
How to Ship From China to France
Air or sea — the right mode depends on your timeline, cargo weight and budget. Both available with DDP delivery to any French address.
Air Freight — 5–12 Days
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Best for time-sensitive, high-value or low-weight cargo. DDP door-to-door available.
Sea Freight — 25–37 Days
FCL and LCL from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Le Havre — France's largest container port — with Marseille-Fos as a secondary Mediterranean gateway for cargo also touching Southern European or North African markets. Cost-effective for regular volume cargo.
Amazon FBA France
Delivery to Amazon.fr fulfilment centres. FNSKU labeling, carton compliance and FBA prep included. DDP available — French VAT and EU duty pre-paid by Latynex.
Express — 3–6 Days
Urgent shipments via express air courier. Samples, prototypes and time-critical consignments delivered door-to-door across France in 3–6 days.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Import customs clearance, EU duty and French VAT (TVA, 20% standard rate) — all pre-paid by Latynex. No EORI number required from you. One all-inclusive landed cost quote before your cargo leaves China.
Two Sea Gateways
Le Havre for standard Atlantic/Channel routing, or Marseille-Fos if your cargo also needs to reach Mediterranean or Southern European destinations. We advise on the right gateway for your distribution plan.
The Process
How China to France Shipping Works
Eight stages from your Chinese supplier to final delivery in France — all managed by Latynex.
Request a quote with your cargo details
Send us your supplier's collection address in China, cargo description, weight and dimensions, destination address in France, and preferred freight mode. We calculate the all-in DDP cost — including EU duty and French VAT — and confirm the quote.
Supplier collection from China
Our China-based team collects from your supplier's factory or warehouse anywhere in mainland China. Multi-supplier consolidation is available.
China export warehouse and consolidation
Cargo arrives at our China export warehouse. For FBA shipments, FNSKU labeling and carton prep are completed here.
Export customs clearance in China
We prepare and file Chinese export documentation and clear cargo for export at the relevant Chinese port or airport.
International freight: air or sea
Your cargo travels via your agreed mode. Air: 5–12 days to Paris CDG. Sea FCL/LCL: 25–37 days to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos.
Arrival in France
Cargo arrives at Le Havre or Marseille-Fos (sea) or Paris CDG (air). Our French customs broker is notified on arrival and begins import filing immediately.
French import customs clearance
Our licensed customs broker files the import declaration with French customs (Douane). EU duty and French VAT are paid on your behalf under DDP.
Final delivery to your French address
Cleared cargo is delivered to your specified address: warehouse, office, Amazon FC, or 3PL fulfilment centre. For Amazon FBA, we manage the FC delivery appointment.
Transit & Cost
China → France: Transit Time and DDP Cost Guide
Indicative all-in DDP rates for the China–France corridor — freight, EU duty, French VAT and delivery included. Exact quotes depend on cargo details and current market rates.
All figures are indicative ranges including freight, EU import duty, French VAT (20%), customs handling and delivery. Import duty rate depends on product HS code — confirmed before booking. Fuel surcharges, port congestion and seasonal rate changes apply. Contact Latynex for a specific quote.
DDP vs DAP
DDP vs DAP Shipping to France — What's the Difference?
For most importers without a French EORI or in-house customs team, DDP is the simpler choice.
Customs
Importing Into France — What You Need to Know
A practical guide to French import requirements for businesses shipping from China — duty, VAT, EORI and choosing between Le Havre and Marseille-Fos.
EU Import Duty (TARIC)
France is part of the EU Customs Union — import duty rates follow the EU's Common External Tariff (TARIC), identical to the rest of the EU. The exact rate depends on your product's HS code. We calculate your duty rate before confirming any DDP quote.
French VAT (TVA)
Import VAT is charged at France's standard rate of 20% on most goods, with reduced rates for certain categories. Under DDP, Latynex pre-pays this on your behalf. VAT-registered French businesses can typically reclaim it on their regular VAT return. Confirm your product's exact rate with your accountant if a reduced category may apply.
EORI Number
An EORI number is required to file import customs declarations in France. You do not need one when using Latynex DDP — we file under our own customs authorisation. Under DAP, you would register an EORI with French customs (Douane) before your first import.
Choosing Le Havre vs. Marseille-Fos
Le Havre is the standard choice for most France-bound cargo. Marseille-Fos is worth considering if you're also distributing into Southern Europe or need Mediterranean routing — we advise on the right gateway based on your onward distribution plan, not a fixed rule.
FAQ
China–France Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shipping from China to France, transit times, documentation and cost.
Related
Related Services & Routes
DDP Shipping
EU duty and VAT pre-paid on any route, including France.
Air Freight Service
Express and standard air cargo from China to Paris.
Sea Freight Service
FCL and LCL from China to Le Havre and Marseille-Fos.
China → Europe
Mode comparison and destinations across the full China–Europe corridor.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate delivery windows for air and sea freight to France.
Shipping Cost Estimator
Directional cost estimate by mode and cargo volume.
Logistics Assessment
Before you ship — review your route, Incoterms and French import duties. From €99.
Get a Quote
Cargo details to quote — weight, mode and destination. Same-day response.