The strong economic connection between France and Canada has strengthened with the implementation of the Canadian European Free Trade Agreement (CETA). Businesses rely on low cost solutions for shipping from France to Canada.
France is Canada’s third largest European partner in terms of overall trade of goods and services. Quebec remains the area of Canada with which France trades the most for both imports and exports. France is present in all of Quebec's major industries with most major French multinationals having a presence in Quebec.
The Canada Post strike leaves businesses and individuals seeking alternative options to Canada from France. Protect your business and build a lasting alternative solution. Get a quote now!
Jet Worldwide provides European, Canadian global logistics. Our support facilitates the French Canadian movement of goods. Our team supports your company with unique industry insights, transparency and by not being beholden to a specific carrier.
Shipping Guide to Canada from France, we review things to consider when shipping from France to Canada
Jet Worldwide provides low-cost parcel delivery solutions from France to Quebec and Canada via a variety of parcel delivery solutions.
For occasional shipments - and especially personal shipments - La Poste usually offers the best solutions. For regular volumes - or to build greater access between France and North America, contact our team.
Note: The information in this post and all Jet Worldwide online content is for general information only.
With a shared language, Quebec is often the first Canadian market of entry for French firms. Quebec and French companies have had mutual success in selling to each other’s market. Jet Worldwide helps both French and Quebec companies access the Canadian and French market via warehousing and domestic distribution solutions.
The options for shipping freight between France and Canada include:
When choosing a shipping method, you will need to consider factors such as the size and weight of your freight, nature of the goods and minimum transit time.
The options to send packages include La Poste, Coliposte, Chronopost, FedEx, UPS and DHL.
The French postal operator, La Poste offers low-cost parcel delivery options to Quebec Canada via their two basic service options:
Colissimo is a parcel post product that is imported and delivered via Canada Post. If the parcel imported to Quebec and Canada from France is assessed duty and taxes, Canada Post charges an import fee of CA$9.95 (plus the duty and taxes).
Chrono Express is an express service of Chronopost to Canada that is imported via a local courier in Montreal - who then give it to a domestic carrier, such as Purolator. While not readily available, the import fees for Chronopost shipments seem to average between CAD 15 and 45 (plus applicable duty and taxes).
Most Chrono Express shipments to Canada (valued under CAD 3,300) to Canada are cleared via commercial Low-Value Shipment (LVS) processes. Most shipments valued under CAD 20 can be imported duty-free to Quebec and Canada from France. Chronopost uses a local Canada Agents (such as FedEx) for import and delivery to Canada.
For individual shippers of small parcels, the La Poste shipping options to Canada are simply the best option. For heavier parcels (+10 kg) and regular volumes, contact Jet to help you develop a dedicated parcel delivery and return solution.
It is important to note that these delivery times are estimates and may vary depending on various factors such as customs clearance and the destination of your package. You can visit the La Poste website for more information and to check the availability of these services for your specific shipping needs.
FedEx and UPS are North America's dominant carriers and FedEx operates a major hub from CDG near Paris. Both carriers, along with DHL, offer air express and economy delivery options to Quebec and Canada from Paris, Lyon and all of France.
FedEx and UPS France shipping options to Canada include:
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Useful PDF: How to Ship from France to Canada
Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between France (and EU) and Canada for parcels, pallets, and online orders. Our superb team helps your team via our industry insights, transparency and not being beholden to a specific carrier or process.Simplified processing for your customer.
Contact Jet's team to set up processes to manage returns from your Canadian customers.
Transit times for containerized cargo from France generally range can range between 1 -2 months. The major Canadian port for French goods is Montreal. Air freight from France typically delivers in less than 1 week.
Less than container load (LCL) is best when shipping one to several pallets. The method of sharing of container space between different consignments is cost effective. Allow extra transit time for the additional loading, scheduling and de-consolidation process.
Full container load (FCL) is the fastest way to ship via ocean. Shipping a full 40 foot or 20 foot container can take less than one month.
The price of shipping smaller consignments from France is usually less via air. Ocean freights many surcharges make it a less economical option for smaller cargo shipments. Generally, shipments of less than 100 kilograms are cheaper via air. Useful information regarding shipping sea freight to Canada.
As mentioned above, items sent from France to Canada are subject to Canadian Customs (CBSA) clearance. Most parcels valued under CAD 20 can be cleared duty- and tax-free. See section below.
Goods valued under CAD 3,300 can be cleared via commercial Low Value System (LVS). This system is designed for more streamlined entry processes for efficient parcel clearance.
Read More: Import duty and calculation
Consignments imported from France to Canada are subject to duty and taxes. Most imports valued under CAD 20 can be clean duty-free and tax-free.Shipments under CAD $3,300 can be imported under Courier Low-Value Shipment (CLVS) processes.
Consignments containing French origin goods may benefit from preferential duty free entry under the CETA free trade agreement (see below).
Contact Jet’s logistics team to get an estimate of import fees.
Online orders and other consignments imported to Canada are subject to import fees (that are typically charged to the consignee. The common fees for parcels imported to Canada include duty, tax and carrier disbursement fees.
French origin goods valued under CAD 3,300 can gain duty-free entry to Canada with a simplified country of origin certification.
Useful information regarding a certificate of origin and verify when it is needed
Country origin rules are associated with factors used to determine if the product is eligible for preferential duty free treatment under CETA. The good news for shippers is that CETA rules don’t require a formal certificate in order to obtain tariff benefits. A declaration on the invoice or any other commercial document accompanying the shipment is enough.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE SHIPPING FROM FRANCE VERSUS FRENCH ORIGIN GOODS.
The CETA country of origin declaration has a specific wording, which is fairly straight forward (check with up to date regulations before shipping).
Registration in CARM is mandatory for all commercial importers. Using this system, importers define their customs broker and provide a surety bond. (or deposit).
French e-commerce sellers can ship their USA e-commerce parcels to the USA via Canada. Upon arrival, the goods can be transited in bond to the US Canada border for cross border section 321 entry to USPS or other carrier.
Get direct access to the USA from Montreal. Take advantage of Montreal's unique access via CETA, CUSMA. Ground and air shipping options for Canada domestic and North American access.
With an affinity for Canadian products, France’s online market is one of the world’s largest. Now more than ever, Canadian companies are looking for direct shipping, last-mile delivery, and clearance solutions for their shipping of e-commerce orders to France and the EU. READ ABOUT IOSS AND PAYMENT OF VAT FOR ONLINE ORDERS TO FRANCE
Here are a few things to consider when developing high-volume shipping solutions from Quebec and Canada to France and the EU:
French companies doing business in Quebec and Canada can rely on Jet for dependable return options. Jet has flexible cost-effective processes for your shipments that need a return destination and process centre.
Companies and online sellers can benefit from shipping their orders direct to the USA - and via Canada. Canada and USA form an integrated North American logistics networks based on proximity, free trade, strong social and economic connections. Read more about section 321 processes and contact our team for assistance in direct shipping and logistics support to the USA.
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between France (and the EU) and Canada for parcels pallets, ocean, and online orders.
Jet Worldwide often manages the shipping of personal effects from Canada but there are restrictions. Requirements include copies of the importer's passport and specific list of contents with estimated unit and total value. Personal goods to Canada must be self-cleared by the importer of the goods.
Personal goods are generally meant as being used, over a year old and for personal use only.
Complete shipping guide to Canada
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