Moving from United States to France is a container sea-freight corridor with a typical door-to-door transit of 3–5 weeks. A two-bedroom household of roughly 18–22 m³ usually lands between $5,000 and $8,200 on a full-service basis, based on published corridor benchmarks we track for this route.
On arrival, France applies Franchise douanière de déménagement + Cerfa 10070 under EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific). Import VAT in France is 20%, and relief is what keeps your household goods out of that charge. Shipments normally arrive through Le Havre or Marseille.
This page covers what actually changes on the United States → France route: what you will pay, how long the shipment is at sea, the paperwork France customs expects from a departure in United States, and what to do about pets, a vehicle and somewhere to live when you land.
Departures from United States normally load at New York / New Jersey, Savannah, Houston. Household goods leaving the US move under an ocean carrier booking filed with US Customs at least 24 hours before loading. Personal effects shipments are normally filed by your forwarder; you sign a power of attorney authorising them to act. Video or in-home surveys are widely available across the continental US; crews are typically scheduled 2–4 weeks ahead.
| Home size | Estimated volume | Typical method | Door-to-door range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Few Items | 3–5 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $2,600–$4,500 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 8–12 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $2,600–$4,500 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 18–22 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $5,000–$8,200 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 28–32 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $5,000–$8,200 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 45–60 m³ | 40-foot high-cube container (FCL) | $9,800–$15,500 |
Ranges are anchored to published benchmark pricing we track on this corridor. This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Booking & packing lead time
4–6 weeks in peak season (May–September), 2–3 weeks off-peak
Port-to-port sailing
3–5 weeks
Clearance & delivery
4–6 weeks typical clearance window in France
Shipments from United States are treated as an import from outside France's customs territory. The requirements below apply, and the supporting evidence customs will ask for — proof of address, residence history, ownership records — must be documents issued in United States.
Franchise douanière de déménagement + Cerfa 10070 — EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific)
Relief from import duty and 20% import VAT on used household goods is available under the EU transfer-of-residence rules, but it must be applied for — it is not automatic. In France, the filing is handled through Douanes françaises.
Conditions
Documents from United States
Rules vary by destination and may also depend on your country of origin, immigration status and circumstances. This guide is educational and is not legal, tax or customs advice.
Open the full customs guideFrance applies the EU franchise de douane for déménagement: 0% duty and 0% VAT on used personal effects when you transfer your principal residence from outside the EU.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
France is a standard-complexity pet destination, regulated by Ministère de l'Agriculture (DGAL). Allow 1–2 months of preparation before departure from United States. Quarantine: 0 days.
France pet import requirementsUS-spec cars require Réception à titre isolé (RTI) through DREAL: amber indicators, ECE R112 headlights, rear fog lamp and a km/h cluster. Classics over 30 years old clear at 0% duty and 5.5% VAT. A vehicle registered in United States may need conformity, lighting or emissions work before it can be road-legal in France.
Vehicle import guide
Nobel Relocation
Family-run, FAIM-certified US mover with East Coast hubs in Miami, Atlanta and Maryland.
Orphee Beinoglou
Greece's leading specialist in relocation, fine art and exhibition logistics — trusted since 1923.
Atlas International Movers
Dutch-Swiss international removals group with 40+ years of door-to-door household, corporate and office relocation experience.
Argo Mobility
Boutique Romanian mover offering single-point-of-contact door-to-door household, vehicle and office relocations.
Asian Tigers
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
Partners do not pay to be part of the matched network. How we vet partners.
Tell us what you are shipping and we will match you with vetted movers who run this corridor. Free, no obligation, and partners never pay for placement.
