Sending a parcel to France
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to France. Independent comparison updated 2026.
toc Page contents expand_more
Summary
At a glance
A parcel to France arrives in 3–5 days (standard) or 1–2 days (express). No customs formalities — EU country. Best carriers: dpd, gls, eurosender.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to France
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to France arrives in 3–5 days (standard) or 1–2 days (express). No customs formalities — EU country. Best carriers: dpd, gls, eurosender.
- Region
- eu
- EU
- Yes
- Currency
- EUR
- Standard delivery
- 3–5 days
- Express delivery
- 1–2 days
- Customs duty from
- No customs (EU)
- VAT
- EU regime
- CN23 required
- No
Carrier comparison
Carriers for France
| Carrier | Business days from carrier pickup. Does not include weekends or public holidays. | Indicative price for a 10 kg parcel. Calculated from average market rates — varies by season, volume and fuel surcharges. | Key strengths | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPD CZ Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 24 € | Global coverage via DPDgroup network · Strong B2B contracts and API integration | Detailsarrow_forward |
| GLS Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 2–4 days | 24 € | Dense EU-wide network · ParcelShop collection points across Europe | Detailsarrow_forward |
| Eurosender Broker (comparison) — ships via partner carriers. Does not physically deliver itself. | 2–4 days | 26 € | Transparent prices upfront · Compares multiple carriers in one booking | Detailsarrow_forward |
| Packeta / Zásilkovna Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 2–4 days | 20 € | Largest pickup-point network in CZ/SK (5,200+ Z-Points) · Low prices for domestic and EU parcels | Detailsarrow_forward |
| DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 60 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
Shipping a pallet or parcel over 30 kg? Eurosender Freight →
Reklama
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to France
Values are averages of the cheapest standard and fastest express service. Actual price depends on the carrier.
Prices by weight
Indicative prices and delivery time
| Weight | Standard shipping — balanced choice. Parcel typically arrives in 2–5 business days. Includes tracking. | Express shipping — priority handling and delivery in 1–2 business days. Surcharge is typically 50–150 % over standard. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 11 € | 28 € |
| 5 kg | 16 € | 36 € |
| 10 kg | 24 € | 50 € |
| 20 kg | 38 € | 75 € |
Prices are indicative, the actual amount depends on the carrier, exchange rate and seasonal surcharges. See the carrier comparison table below for exact numbers.
Customs
France is an EU member — no customs formalities, no extra VAT for mainland France and Corsica. Important exception: French overseas territories (DOM-TOM: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, French Guiana) are fiscally outside the EU and require CN23 plus local VAT (~8.5%).
Required documents
- None for mainland France and Corsica
- CN23 is a full customs declaration for parcels over 2 kg or above €270. You must list each item's description, quantity, weight and customs value. Issued at the post office or generated by the carrier.
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to France.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs and controlled substances
- Live animals
- Alcohol over 1 L
- Collectible weapons without licence
- Some animal-origin food products
Data accuracy
Indicative information — verify at source
Shipping prices, delivery times and customs limits change over time and may differ by carrier, volume and season. Values on this page are indicative — they help you decide which carrier to pick, not to calculate a binding price. Before shipping, always verify current rates and conditions with the chosen carrier and the customs authority of France.
Last revised
event
Official sources
Report error: Found an inaccuracy? Let us know — we fix within 24 h. info@parcel-guide.eu
link Sources & methodologyShipping situation
How does parcel delivery work in France?
France is the fifth-largest e-commerce economy in the EU, and uniquely, DPD Group is a French company (part of La Poste Group). This means DPD has direct infrastructure in France — dense coverage, reliable delivery to remote French regions, and competitive pricing. GLS has a strong network in southern France (Provence, Languedoc) and is a comparable alternative for Marseille or Nice.
France has one customs peculiarity: the overseas territories (DOM-TOM — Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, French Guiana) are fiscally outside the EU despite being French territory. Shipments to these areas require CN23 and the recipient pays local VAT (typically 8.5%). Shipments to metropolitan France (mainland France plus Corsica) are standard EU shipments with no customs overhead.
Packeta International delivers in France through a Colis Privé partnership. The pick-up point network is smaller than in Poland or Germany. For address delivery, DPD or Eurosender is the typical optimal choice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does a parcel to Paris take?
Paris and Île-de-France: 3–4 days standard. Southern France (Marseille, Nice): 4–5 days. DHL Express: 1–2 days anywhere in mainland France.
Do I need a customs declaration for Réunion or Martinique?
Yes. Although these are French territories, they are fiscally classified as outside the EU. For shipments to these areas, complete CN23 with a proforma invoice. The recipient pays local VAT (typically 8.5%) and customs duty by goods type.
Which carrier is best for shipments to France?
DPD has its own network in France (DPDgroup is a French company, part of La Poste Group) — dense coverage, fast delivery, competitive prices. Eurosender compares DPD, GLS, and DHL in a single booking. Packeta operates in France through a Colis Privé partnership.
How much does a shipment to Paris cost?
Indicative retail prices: up to 2 kg from ~€11, up to 5 kg from ~€16, up to 10 kg from ~€24. Express delivery (1–2 days) from ~€28–50 depending on weight. Use Eurosender or the DPD calculator for an exact price to your specific address.
How do I write a French address correctly?
French format: recipient name, house number then street name (number first: "15 Rue de Rivoli"), postcode and city (5-digit postcode, no space: "75001 Paris"), then FRANCE. French street numbering puts the number before the street name — the opposite of German convention.
No questions match your search.
Reklama
Similar destinations
Similar destinations
Other countries in the same region
About the author
Martin Dvorak
Editor & international shipping specialist
workspace_premium 10 years in logistics
Ten years in e-commerce logistics — first as operations manager at a store importing from the US, the last five as an independent consultant for smaller retailers. For parcel-guide.eu I write about carriers, customs and practical guides I wish I had years ago when I shipped my first parcel to Canada.
- check_circle International shipping
- check_circle EU and non-EU customs
- check_circle E-commerce logistics
- check_circle Carrier comparison