Best Routes to Ship Cargo from China to France

• Sea Freight: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen to Le Havre or Marseille
• Railway Freight: Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing to France. Transit hubs include Duisburg or Małaszewicze. The terminal cities include Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Lille.
• Air Freight: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong to Paris CDG Airport

What Documents Are Required for Shipping from China to France?

China Customs

• Commercial Invoice: state the value and details of goods 
• Packing List: state the package structures and details
• Customs Declaration: apply for the export declaration
• Booking / Shipping Instruction: to arrange the vessel or flight schedules
• Sales Contract: to verify the trade relationship between buyers and sellers
• Certification Documents: such as CE and MSDS, to prove export goods meet safety requirements

French Customs

• Commercial Invoice: to identify the value, taxes, and product types
• Packing List: check the package conditions
• Bill of Lading / Air Waybill: proof of legal cargo shipment to France
• EORI Number: identify the importer
• VAT Number: to calculate and pay VAT
• HS CODE: identify product types and calculate the tariff rate 
• Certificate of Origin: to prove where the cargo is from and calculate the tariff rate
• Certification Documents: CE, MSDS, and others, prove that the cargo complies with EU standards 

It is important to prepare documents for customs clearance. If your documents are insufficient,  your cargo may be delayed. Preparing customs documents is sometimes cumbersome and laborious. You can contact us to be your partner. DFH Logistics offers customs clearance services, reducing your work for document preparation.

DDP vs DDU in Shipping from China to France

In trading between China and France, two common incoterms are DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). The core difference lies in who pays for the customs clearance and taxes after arrival in France.

In DDP, your freight forwarder from China to France operates and pays for customs clearance, tariffs, and VAT. In the entire logistics process to France, you provide the information your freight forwarder needs. You do not have to worry about customs and duties. 

For DDU, after your cargo arrives in France, the receivers should pay for duties, VAT, etc. Commonly, you need to have EORI and VAT numbers, and complete customs clearance by yourself or through a local customs broker. Though the basic DDU freight may seem lower, the subsequent fees and the complicated customs clearance process can cost you significant time and money.

How Long Does It Take to Ship Cargo from China to France?

Sea Freight Routes

• Shanghai to Le Havre: about 28–40 days
• Ningbo to Le Havre: about 27–38 days
• Shenzhen to Le Havre: about 30–42 days
• Shenzhen to Marseille: about 32–45 days
• Qingdao to Le Havre: 30–45 days
• Xiamen to Le Havre: 30–43 days    

Rail Freight Routes 

• Xi’an to Malaszewicze to France: about 18–22 days
• Chengdu to Duisburg to France: about 20–25 days
• Chongqing to Hamburg to France: about 19–24 days
• Zhengzhou to Paris / Lyon: about 20–28 days  

Air Freight Routes

• Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): about 5–8 days
• Guangdong Baiyun (CAN) to CDG: about 6–9 days
• Shenzhen Baoan (SZX) to CDG: about 6–10 days
• Hong Kong (HKG) to CDG: about 5–7 days

The delivery time is not fixed. It can be affected by other factors, including customs clearance, cargo type, peak seasons, weather conditions, final deliveries, and others. So it is recommended to arrange your transportation in advance. 

If you don’t know where to start, you can contact DFH Logistics. With our experience, we can provide you with the ideal plans.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship from China to France?

Besides the basic transportation fees, there may be other fees, such as customs clearance fees, documentation fees, BAF, THC, and other surcharges. Some freight forwarders may hide additional charges when offering quotations. But DFH Logistics will never do it. We provide transparent quotations, and you will never have to worry about price fraud.

How to Choose Transportation Methods from China to France?

Should I Choose LCL or FCL Shipping from China to France?

Whether you choose LCL or FCL depends on the amount of your cargo, your budget, and your requirements for time and reliability. If your cargo can fill or nearly fill a container, FCL is more recommended. You can have your exclusive container. The safety and timely arrival of your products are enhanced. 

If the quantity of your goods is relatively small, and the cargo can not fill a container, you can choose LCL. You do not have to pay for a whole container; thus, you can pay lower costs. But your cargo needs to share the same container with other people’s products. It adds time for sorting after landing in France. 

Cargo You Can Ship from China to France

• Normal commercial products: clothes, headwear, shoes, bags; household items, furniture, decorations; gifts, toys, craftworks; daily necessities, kitchenware; hardware tools and accessories, etc.
• Digital Products: LED screens and modules; cell phone accessories, chargers, data cables; small digital devices; computer peripherals, etc.
• Industrial products: mechanical equipment and spare parts; lighting fixtures, lighting controllers; building materials, metal products; LED engineering, etc.
• FBA and e-commerce products: Amazon FBA restockings, small-pack LCL cargo, e-commerce goods.
• Some special cargo: batteries, chemical products, liquids, magnetic products, etc. These products require special documents and tailored transportation plans.

Cargo Prohibited Shipping from China to France

• Illegal goods: drugs and drug derivatives; guns, ammunition, military supplies and components; explosives; smuggled or illegally sourced goods
• Counterfeit goods: counterfeit products, products without authorization, and goods that infringe intellectual property rights
• Unlawful, dangerous goods: unreported explosives and flammables, illegal chemicals or toxic substances; dangerous products in non-compliant packaging
• EU restricted imports: illegal publications or prohibited content, sanctioned goods, products that do not comply with EU regulations

Is Long-Term Cooperation Available?

Yes, we welcome long-term, continuous partnerships, especially for shipping from China to France. We provide more competitive quotations for consistent and stable shipments. With extensive experience in China-France shipping, DFH Logistics offers you the most suitable global logistics solutions at competitive prices.

What Should I Prepare Before Shipping from China to France?

If you are planning to ship goods from China to France, you should prepare the right documents, cargo information, and shipping requirements in advance. 

Provide detailed cargo details such as product type, quantity, weight, dimensions, and HS codes to arrange the right shipping solution. 

Prepare essential documents include commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and product certificates when required. Because missing documents may cause customs delays. 

You should also make sure your products meet French and EU import requirements, especially for goods that require certifications such as CE marking.

What Happens If French Customs Holds My Cargo?

If your goods are stuck with French customs, the shipment will be temporarily suspended. Your cargo will not be released until customs completes its review process. The process usually includes: 

1. Customs Review

French customs will check related shipment documents to verify your cargo details.

2. Additional Document Requests

If there are any issues with the customs code, product information, or documents, Customs will request supplementary information to ensure completeness before release.

3. Physical Inspection

If needed, customs may inspect the cargo to check product quantity, labels, packaging, and compliance with EU regulations.

If the issue cannot be resolved, your cargo may face longer storage time, extra fees, delivery delays, or even return or confiscation risks. 

What Products Are Frequently Delayed by French Customs?

If your products do not meet French or EU import requirements, customs clearance may be delayed. You should pay special attention to the following product categories.

Which Shipping Method Is Best for Amazon FBA France?

The best shipping method for Amazon FBA France depends on your cargo volume, budget, and delivery requirements. Here is a quick comparison of the main shipping methods: 

Is Rail Freight Stable from China to France?

Yes. Rail freight from China to France is generally a reliable mode of transport. Its transit time is more predictable than sea freight. The China-Europe Railway Express offers regular services and strikes a good balance between speed and cost.