Shipping from China to France: Ports, Tariffs & Delivery Options

Goodhope Freight Group (China) Limited is your trusted freight forwarder for shipping from China to France. As an EU member state and a major European economic power, France offers world-class ports including Port of Le Havre (France's largest container port) and Port of Marseille (the largest Mediterranean port), along with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) for air cargo. This Shipping from China to France: Ports, Tariffs & Delivery Options covers sea freight (FCL/LCL), air cargo, and express courier services. All sea and air services terminate at the destination port or airport; only express courier offers door-to-door delivery.

🚢 Sea Freight – FCL (Full Container Load) to Le Havre Port

We offer FCL shipping from all major Chinese ports (Shenzhen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Guangzhou) to Port of Le Havre – France's largest container port and a key gateway for Northern Europe. Direct services are available from major Chinese ports, with transshipment options via Rotterdam or Hamburg. Service ends at the port terminal. Consignee arranges customs clearance and inland trucking.

• Container types: 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ, 40RH (reefer available)
• Transit time: 30–40 days (direct or via transshipment)
• Service end point: Le Havre or Marseille port. Buyer handles import duties, clearance, and final delivery.
• Best for: Large-volume cargo, machinery, construction materials, consumer goods, automotive parts.
• Tariffs: France applies the EU Common Customs Tariff. Duties vary by HS code (typically 0–12%). VAT is 20% (standard rate) with deferred payment schemes for registered importers.

📦 Sea Freight – LCL (Less than Container Load) – Shared consolidation

For shipments below 15 CBM, LCL is the most economical option. Your cargo shares container space and is deconsolidated at our partner warehouse at Le Havre Port.

• Minimum: 1 CBM or 1000 kg
• Pricing: Per cubic meter (approx $85–150/CBM depending on season)
• Transit time: 35–45 days
• Service end point: LCL warehouse at Le Havre. Consignee arranges customs clearance and pickup.
• Best for: Small commercial orders, spare parts, samples, personal effects, e-commerce inventory.

✈️ Air Freight to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Air cargo is flown to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – France's main gateway for air freight and one of Europe's busiest cargo hubs. We operate from major Chinese airports (PVG, CAN, SZX, HKG) with direct and connecting flights via Doha, Dubai, or Frankfurt.

• Transit time: 5–8 business days
• Service end point: CDG cargo terminal. Consignee handles customs clearance and pickup.
• Acceptable cargo: Electronics, fashion, pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce parcels, urgent spares.
• Weight range: 45 kg to several tons. For shipments below 45 kg, express courier is usually more economical.
• Delivery options: Airport-to-airport only. We can assist with customs brokerage upon request.

📮 International Express Courier – Door-to-Door to any France address

For urgent documents, samples, or small parcels, we offer direct door-to-door delivery via DHL, FedEx, UPS, and EMS. Express courier includes customs clearance and full tracking.

• Carriers: DHL (direct mail France), FedEx (Economy & Priority), UPS, EMS
• Transit time: 2–4 business days
• Features: Doorstep pickup in China, real-time tracking, optional DDP (duties prepaid).
• Best for: Documents, samples, e-commerce orders, personal effects, urgent spare parts.
• Delivery options: Door-to-door including residential and commercial addresses across France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Nice).

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)