Shipping From China to France — Air and Sea
Sea and air freight from China to France, with indicative transit times and a cost guide. Choose the right French gateway, understand French import VAT and customs, and request a quote; DDP is quoted where feasible and the scope is stated in writing before booking.
Route information reviewed: October 2026. Planning ranges reviewed: October 2026. Le Havre or Marseille-Fos? LCL to France Without your own EORI Comparing other European destinations? See the China → Europe guide.
Short Answers
Shipping From China to France — The Short Version
The four questions importers ask first.
Le Havre or Marseille-Fos?
Le Havre is the first French container port and serves the Paris region and northern France along the Seine axis. Marseille-Fos is the Mediterranean gateway on the Rhône–Saône axis towards Lyon. The better fit depends on where the goods must end up and what the whole route costs, not on the port alone.
How does French import VAT work?
Businesses identified for VAT in France account for import VAT on their own VAT return (autoliquidation, mandatory since 1 January 2022) instead of paying it at the border. A French VAT number is needed first. Who accounts for it in your shipment must be agreed before booking.
Can DDP be quoted?
DDP can be quoted for suitable shipments. The written quote names the importer-of-record arrangement and shows duty and VAT separately. It is not available for every shipment, and under DAP the import side stays with you.
How long does it take?
Indicative planning ranges: air 5–12 days from departure in China to arrival at Paris CDG; sea FCL 25–37 days and sea LCL 32–40 days port-to-port to Le Havre, plus customs and delivery. These are estimates, not guarantees.
How much does it cost?
Indicative DDP-basis planning ranges: air €10–22/kg, sea LCL €2.5–5/kg, sea FCL (20ft) €1.5–3.5/kg. A full container is quoted per container; the cost guide below also shows per-CBM and per-container freight-only figures. Final quotation depends on cargo, origin, destination and current carrier conditions.
What do you need for a quote?
Supplier location, cargo description, packages, dimensions, weight, Incoterm, French delivery postcode, FCL, LCL or air, ready date and the customs scope you want. The full checklist is below.
French Gateways
Which French Gateway Fits the Shipment?
Le Havre and Marseille-Fos serve different parts of France. These are common routing considerations, not a carrier schedule.
Common routing considerations, not a commitment. The actual port of discharge is set by the carrier service for your shipment, and a Latynex quote states the routing and who arranges the inland leg.
Port facts come from the port authorities: HAROPA PORT for Le Havre and the Port of Marseille Fos for Marseille-Fos. Air freight is usually quoted to Paris Charles de Gaulle or an airport nearer the delivery point, depending on the service.
Inside France
Delivery Inside France Changes the Quote
The leg from the port or airport to your address is priced separately from the ocean or air leg. A decision guide, not a coverage claim.
| Delivery area | Gateway usually compared | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Paris and Île-de-France | Le Havre is the usual port to compare | Warehouse with loading dock or not, delivery appointment, tail-lift, pallet or full-truck delivery |
| Northern and western France | Le Havre | Distance from the port, delivery window and whether the consignee can unload a container |
| Lyon and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Marseille-Fos, or Le Havre with a longer inland leg | Compare the whole route cost; the cheaper port is not always the cheaper delivered price |
| South-east and Mediterranean France | Marseille-Fos | Carrier service calling at Marseille or Fos, and the inland leg from the terminal |
| Amazon.fr fulfilment centres and 3PL warehouses | Depends on the centre's location | Delivery appointment and carton or pallet requirements; say so when you request the quote |
France ports, airports and delivery destinations
Le Havre
France's first container port and a common sea gateway for France-bound cargo, especially to the Paris region and the north.
Marseille-Fos
Mediterranean sea gateway on the Rhône–Saône axis. Worth comparing for the south-east and where cargo also touches Southern European or North African markets.
Paris CDG
The air gateway usually quoted for France-bound air freight and the delivery region for most air cargo; another airport may suit a delivery point better.
Lyon
A significant inland distribution hub in south-eastern France: a delivery destination and logistics context, not a separate customs gateway or a Latynex facility.
Which of these legs is part of your quote depends on the scope you ask for. If a leg is not in the scope, it stays with you or your own carrier. Shipping to a neighbouring market instead? See Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain or Italy.
Freight Options
How to Ship From China to France — Sea or Air Freight
Air or sea: the right mode depends on your timeline, cargo weight and budget. DDP delivery to a French address can be quoted for suitable shipments.
Air Freight — 5–12 Days to Paris CDG (indicative)
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) are typical departure airports, to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). The 5–12 days run from departure in China to arrival at CDG; they are not door-to-door. Best for time-sensitive, high-value or low-weight cargo. Air is priced on chargeable weight, the greater of actual and volumetric weight. DDP may be quoted for suitable shipments.
Sea Freight — 25–37 Days (indicative)
FCL and LCL from typical origin ports Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Le Havre, France's first container port, with Marseille-Fos as a Mediterranean gateway for cargo that also touches Southern European or North African markets. Cost-effective for regular volume cargo. Port-to-port time; customs and delivery add days.
Amazon FBA France
Delivery to Amazon.fr fulfilment centres can be quoted as the final leg; delivery to a specific centre is confirmed per shipment. FNSKU labelling, carton compliance and FBA prep can be arranged through partner facilities where they are in your scope, and Amazon's receiving requirements apply. DDP may be quoted for suitable shipments.
Express — 3–6 Days (indicative)
Urgent shipments by express air courier, such as samples, prototypes and time-critical consignments, door-to-door across France in an indicative 3–6 days. Availability and price are confirmed in the quotation.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Under DDP the seller side arranges import clearance and the duties and taxes, subject to the importer arrangement. For France that means import customs, EU duty and French VAT (TVA, 20% standard rate) are treated as your quote states, shown as separate lines. Whether you need your own EORI depends on that arrangement. DDP is not available for every shipment; see DDP vs DAP below.
Two Sea Gateways
Le Havre is often the first port to compare for the Paris region and the north, Marseille-Fos for the south-east and Mediterranean routing. We advise on the gateway from your distribution plan, not a fixed rule, and the carrier service sets the port of discharge.
FCL — Full Container Load
Your cargo fills an entire container and travels without being mixed with other shippers' goods, typically suited to larger shipment volumes to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos.
LCL — Less Than Container Load
Your cargo shares a container with other shippers' goods and you pay only for the space you use, including consolidation and deconsolidation steps. Useful for smaller, regular shipments, indicatively under 5 CBM.
For the FCL and LCL decision, container options, charges and documents, read the Sea Freight guide. For air, see Air Freight. Need rail instead? France can also be reached via the broader China–Europe rail corridor with an onward road leg: see Rail Freight or the China → Europe overview for corridor detail; rail availability for France is assessed per shipment and confirmed in the quote. Transit depends on the origin, the mode, consolidation, the routing, customs and the delivery leg, and any timing in a quote is indicative, not guaranteed.
Transit & Cost
China → France: Transit Time and DDP Cost Guide
Indicative planning ranges for the China–France corridor on a DDP basis (freight, EU duty, French VAT and delivery), not a quotation. Final landed cost also depends on importer structure, customs classification, duties/VAT and service scope.
Indicative planning range, not a quotation. Figures describe freight, EU import duty, French VAT (20% standard) and delivery on a DDP basis, and apply only where DDP is feasible and the written quote says so; import duty depends on the product's HS code. Final quotation depends on cargo, origin, destination, importer structure and current carrier conditions (fuel surcharges, port congestion, seasonal rate changes). Planning ranges reviewed: October 2026.
Scope of the timings: air is departure in China to arrival at Paris CDG; sea LCL and FCL are port-to-port, and FCL adds an indicative 2–5 days for French customs and delivery; express is door-to-door. A full container is quoted per container, so use the freight-only lines below to plan one.
| Basis | Planning figure (Europe) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL, freight only | €80–190 per CBM | Duty, VAT and delivery not included. |
| Sea FCL, freight only | €800–2,200 per container | FCL is quoted per container. Duty, VAT and delivery not included. |
| Air freight, freight only | €6–14 per chargeable kg | Chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight. Duty, VAT and delivery not included. |
Freight-only figures are the Europe planning values used by the Shipping Cost Estimator; compare timings with the Transit Time Estimator. Both are planning tools, not shipping-line rates or binding quotes.
LCL Shipping
LCL Shipping From China to France — Cost, Transit and When to Choose It
Less-than-container-load freight from Chinese ports to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos, with the planning figures and the scope each one applies to.
For smaller China → France shipments, LCL is often the first option to compare. A practical planning range on this route is 32–40 days port-to-port to Le Havre, and freight-only LCL guidance is €80–190 per CBM; the DDP-basis planning figure is a separate basis, about €2.5–5 per kg. The final quote depends on origin, CFS handling, destination charges, customs scope and inland delivery.
Indicative planning range, not a quotation. Planning ranges reviewed: October 2026.
| Question | LCL answer | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Smaller commercial shipments, mixed or regular consignments that do not fill a container | Decision guide |
| Planning size | LCL is often the first option under about 10 CBM, most clearly under about 5 CBM | Decision guide |
| When to compare both | Around 10–15 CBM compare LCL and FCL; above about 15 CBM a full container is often worth comparing | Decision guide |
| France transit (LCL) | 32–40 days indicative, port-to-port to Le Havre; CFS handling, customs and delivery add days | Port-to-port, indicative |
| Freight-only guide | €80–190 per CBM (Europe planning value) | Freight only: destination charges, customs, duties/VAT and delivery are separate unless the written quotation includes them |
| DDP-basis guide | About €2.5–5 per kg, where DDP is feasible | Freight, EU duty, French VAT and delivery on a DDP basis; not the same basis as per CBM |
| Gateway | Le Havre for Paris and the north; Marseille-Fos where a Mediterranean call suits the destination | Set by the carrier service |
| Main variables | Origin and supplier count, CFS handling, destination charges, customs scope, inland delivery | Stated in the written quotation |
What LCL means on this route
Your cargo is gathered at a container freight station (CFS) in China, consolidated with other shippers' goods into one container, shipped to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos and unpacked at a CFS in France. You pay for the space you use, not for a full container.
When LCL makes sense
Smaller and regular consignments, samples, first orders and goods from one or several suppliers that together stay below roughly 10 CBM. LCL to Paris and the Île-de-France is normally planned via Le Havre.
Why it takes longer than FCL
Consolidation at origin and deconsolidation in France happen at CFS facilities, which can add time to the port-to-port transit. The Sea Freight guide gives +3–6 days as a CFS planning adder. Peak season and customs add further days.
Cost basis, kept separate
Freight-only LCL is planned per CBM, on the greater of volume and weight. The DDP-basis range is quoted per kg and also covers duty, VAT and delivery. They are two bases for the same cargo, not two prices to add together.
Freight-only figures are the Europe values used by the Shipping Cost Estimator. The FCL vs LCL decision guide explains the 10–15 CBM comparison zone and what changes the price. Ready to price a shipment? Request an LCL quote for France.
French Customs & VAT
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. How the rules work in general; your own set-up must be confirmed before booking.
Import VAT: autoliquidation
Since 1 January 2022, businesses identified for VAT in France declare and pay import VAT on their own VAT return instead of at the border; French customs call this mechanism mandatory and automatic. The importer's valid French VAT number must appear on the customs declaration. Where the importer is an individual or a public body not identified for VAT, customs still collects the VAT. VAT-registered French businesses can typically reclaim import VAT on their regular VAT return.
No French VAT number yet
A business that has no French VAT number, wherever it is established, must ask its local French business tax office (SIE) for one before importing into France. A customs representative acting under indirect representation can be jointly liable for the import VAT, which is one reason the importer arrangement should be agreed in writing.
Duty and customs value
France is part of the EU Customs Union, so import duty follows the EU's Common External Tariff (TARIC), the same schedule used across the EU. The exact rate depends on your product's HS code, origin and customs value, and is calculated before a DDP quote is confirmed. The customs value is normally the price paid or payable for the goods plus transport and insurance costs up to the EU border, so freight cost can affect the duty base. The standard French VAT rate is 20%; reduced rates exist for some goods, so confirm your product's exact rate with your accountant.
EORI number
An EORI number identifies an economic operator in EU customs and is needed to lodge a customs declaration. Whether you need your own depends on who is the importer of record and whether a customs representative acts for you, so it should be settled before quoting and booking, not on arrival. Under DAP you would register an EORI with French customs (Douane) before your first import.
Choosing Le Havre vs. Marseille-Fos
Le Havre is often the standard choice for France-bound cargo. Marseille-Fos is worth considering if you are also distributing into Southern Europe or need Mediterranean routing. We advise on the gateway from your onward distribution plan, not a fixed rule.
Agree this before you book. Which party is the importer of record, who files the import declaration and who accounts for French import VAT must be defined in writing before quoting and booking. Do not assume any of it is included unless your quote says so. This is general information, not tax or customs advice.
Sources: French customs — import VAT essentials and the European Commission customs pages on customs value and EORI.
Importer & EORI
Shipping to France Without Your Own EORI
What it means for an importer who does not have an EORI number yet, and what must be settled before a shipment is booked.
Not having your own EORI does not automatically rule out a shipment, but the importer of record and the customs representation must be established before booking. The written quotation should identify who imports the goods, whose EORI is used where one is required, and how duties and VAT are handled.
Why it depends on the importer of record
An EORI identifies the operator who lodges the customs declaration. If the buyer is the importer and does not have an EORI, either the buyer registers one with French customs (Douane) or a customs representative acts for it. If another party is importer of record under a DDP quote, that party's identifiers are used. Which of these applies is an arrangement that has to be agreed, not a default.
Without an EORI is not automatically DDP
Lacking an EORI does not by itself mean the shipment is DDP, and DDP is not available for every importer or cargo. Under DAP the import side stays with the buyer, who needs an EORI (or a representative using theirs) and a French VAT number where applicable.
What to settle before booking
Who is the importer of record, who files the declaration, whose EORI appears on it, who accounts for French import VAT and how duty is treated. The quotation should state each in writing. This is general information, not legal or customs advice.
Before quoting, clarify
See how the two structures differ in DDP vs DAP for France, what a DDP quote should specify on the DDP Shipping page, and the general rules in French customs and VAT.
DDP vs DAP
DDP vs DAP Shipping to France — What's the Difference?
For importers without a French EORI or an in-house customs team, DDP can be the simpler choice where it is feasible. Whether it is possible depends on the goods, the importer and the VAT and customs arrangement.
More on DDP shipping and what a DDP quote should specify, or compare the two with the DDP vs DAP tool.
Quote Factors
What Determines Shipping Cost From China to France
What changes a China → France quote: there is no single price per country. These are the inputs that move it.
Where the goods start
The Chinese city or port, and whether cargo is collected from one supplier or several.
Mode
FCL, LCL or air. See the Sea Freight guide for how FCL and LCL are priced.
Which French gateway
Le Havre or Marseille-Fos, which changes the carrier service and the inland leg.
The inland leg
Distance from the port or airport, pallet or full truck, appointment and unloading requirements.
Cargo size and weight
Dimensions, gross weight and total volume. For air, chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
Importer and customs scope
Who is importer of record, who files the declaration and who accounts for import VAT.
Incoterm
EXW, FOB, DAP or DDP decides which costs and responsibilities sit with you.
Consolidation and packing
Several suppliers, repacking, palletising and checks before export.
Season and carrier conditions
Surcharges, equipment availability and vessel or flight space on the date you ship.
Special cargo
Batteries, dangerous goods, liquids, food, temperature control or oversized cargo can change what is possible.
Several Suppliers
Buying From Several Chinese Suppliers for France
Coordination before export can reduce fragmented shipments. It is not automatic and not always cheaper.
Each product keeps its own HS classification and duty rate however many suppliers share the shipment. See Warehouse & Consolidation for how pre-export coordination works.
The Process
How China to France Shipping Works
Eight stages from your Chinese supplier to final delivery in France. What we arrange and what stays with you depends on the scope in your quote.
Latynex coordinates shipments through forwarding partners, carriers, terminals and partner facilities; it does not operate vessels or aircraft or own the terminals.
Request a quote with your cargo details
Send the supplier's collection address in China, the cargo description, weight and dimensions, the destination address in France and the preferred freight mode. The quote states the mode, the French gateway, the importer arrangement and what is included, and shows duty and VAT separately where DDP is feasible.
Supplier collection in China
Cargo is collected from your supplier's factory or warehouse in mainland China through partner carriers. Multi-supplier consolidation can be coordinated.
Export warehouse and consolidation
Cargo can be received at a partner export warehouse and consolidated. Where FBA delivery is in scope, FNSKU labelling and carton preparation can be arranged there.
Export customs in China
Chinese export documentation is prepared and filed, and the cargo is cleared for export at the relevant Chinese port or airport.
International freight: air or sea
Your cargo travels by the agreed mode. Indicative planning ranges: air 5–12 days to Paris CDG; sea FCL and LCL 25–37 days to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos (LCL 32–40 days port-to-port). Not a guarantee.
Arrival in France
Cargo arrives at Le Havre or Marseille-Fos (sea) or Paris CDG (air), or at the port or airport named in your routing.
French import customs
The import declaration is filed with French customs (Douane) according to the importer arrangement agreed before booking, by the importer or a customs representative as stated in the quote. Duty and French VAT are handled as the quote sets out.
Final delivery in France
If delivery is in your scope, cleared cargo is delivered to your warehouse, office, Amazon fulfilment centre or 3PL. Delivery appointments, including Amazon's, follow the requirements of the receiving site.
Documents
Documents for a Shipment to France
A practical starting list, not an exhaustive one. Requirements vary by goods.
Commercial invoice
Supplier, buyer, goods, value and Incoterm.
Packing list
Packages, weights and dimensions.
Transport document
Bill of lading or sea waybill for sea; air waybill for air.
HS code and goods description
Needed for duty, import VAT and the customs declaration.
Depending on goods and importer
- EORI and French VAT number details of the importer, where relevant
- Certificate of origin, where preferential duty or a buyer requires it
- Product compliance papers, for example CE documents, only where the goods require them
- Permits or licences for controlled goods
- Dangerous-goods paperwork for classified cargo
Special Cargo
Restricted and Regulated Cargo
Some cargo needs eligibility, carrier or partner review before it can be quoted. We may decline cargo we cannot handle.
Get a Quote
What to Send for a China → France Quote
Send what you know; we reply with a quote or with the questions still needed to price it properly.
FAQ
China–France Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Gateways, VAT, documents, DDP and quotes.
Related
Related Services & Routes
Sea Freight
FCL vs LCL, container options, charges and documents for China → Europe.
DDP Shipping
What a DDP quote should specify, and DDP vs DAP.
Warehouse & Consolidation
Multi-supplier coordination in China before export.
Air Freight
Air freight from China for urgent or high-value cargo.
China → Europe
Country-by-country guides across Europe.
China → Belgium
Antwerp-Bruges, Belgian customs and VAT basics.
China → Netherlands
Rotterdam and Dutch import basics.
Amazon FBA Logistics
Delivery to Amazon fulfilment centres from China.
DDP vs DAP Tool
Compare the two Incoterm structures for your shipment.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate delivery windows for air and sea freight to France.
Shipping Cost Estimator
Directional cost estimate by mode and cargo volume.
FBA Shipping Readiness Checker
Check whether your shipment is ready for Amazon FBA before you book.
Rail Freight
China–Europe rail with an onward road leg, assessed per shipment.
Logistics Assessment
Review your route, Incoterms and French import set-up. From €99.