France and Quebec enjoy close cultural and business ties that depend on low-cost parcel delivery and shipping options. This is especially true for Panier Bleu, Shopify and other direct to consumer sellers in Quebec with growing sales to France and the European Union.
Jet Worldwide has been providing courier, parcel and ecommerce shipping services to Paris from Montreal over 35 years ago!
A few quick points to consider when shipping international between Canada and France
- Canada Post is the preferred option for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items internationally to France and the EU (see service options below).
- Market dominant carriers, such as UPS, FedEx have crazy high base pricing. Discounted shipping can be obtained via resellers who provide "comparison quotes" but discounted retail can still be expensive and such sites often lack support and logistics expertise.
- Jet's logistics professionals will personally respond to your inquiry within 1 business day sharing our expertise and helping you find the right solution (we freely recommend alternative carriers and methods that may better suite your needs). Ask Jet.
- Ecommerce shippers usually need a much lower cost than can be provided by traditional shipping methods and need direct shipping solutions (visit our ecommerce page).
Ship your online orders direct from YUL to CDG for immediate clearance,prepaid VAT, and delivery to all of France.Contact our team to build a direct import solution to France.
This post provides a deeper dive and explores of the main elements of international shipping between Canada and France:
- Common carrier options for shipping to France from Canada
- Shipping terms to France: duty-free or dutiable
- Bulk import to France for warehousing and shipping to the EU
- Import clearance to France from Canada
- IOSS and VAT payment for online orders shipped to France and EU
- Duty-free import to France for Canada-origin goods under CETA
- Shipping personal effects to France from Canada
- Shipping e-commerce orders Shopify, Let Pannier Bleu, eBay to France and the UK
- Carrier options for shipping to Canada from France
- Duty-free import for French-origin goods imported TO Canada under CETA
- Information Required for a shipping quote between France and Canada (see below)
Jet Worldwide provides logistics expertise (as evidenced by our industry-leading blog articles) and global parcel shipping solutions for e-commerce online orders.
Shipping Options to France from Canada
Delivery to France from Montreal via Canada Post
Canada Post is the preferred option for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items from Canada to France.
Packages sent via Canada Post are imported and delivered by La Poste or their subsidiaries such as Chronopost and Coliposte.
Shipping France from Canada Post parcel packets:
- International "packet" delivery to France (under 2 kg): Surface and Air Options
Shipping parcels over 2 kg via Canada Post to France:
- Canada Post International parcel surface to France: uncertain delivery time
- Canada Post Xpresspost International Parcel to France: delivery in 4 business days
Shipping Montreal to France via FedEx and UPS Canada
FedEx and UPS are North America's largest carriers and offer delivery to France from Montreal via their American hubs. FedEx and UPS, along with DHL, provide reliable shipping options to France from Canada.
Fedex and UPS shipping options to France from Canada include:
- International express/priority air shipping to France
- Economy International Air shipping from Canada
- See Section below: Information required for a shipping quote to France
Delivery between France and Canada via Jet Worldwide
- Parcel delivery to France from Canada
- Lower costs than via the post, fast delivery with tracking
- Minimum volumes necessary
- Contact our logistics team.
Shipping from Montreal to France via Purolator
Purolator Courier is a leading domestic carrier in Canada and provide express delivery to France through partners - including UPS. Purolator is a division of Canada Post.
Shipping terms to consider when shipping to France
The default option for shipping internationally from Canada is Delivery Duty Unpaid. Common carriers use the term Ex Works (EXW) which essentially assigns all import related costs (duties, taxes and other fees) to the receiver/importer. Shippers from Canada can choose to pay the import fees on behalf of the receiver via a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) options that many carriers offer. See our blog on Incoterms and shipping terms for packages and online orders.
The disadvantage of paying import fees on behalf of the receiver is that the bulk of the import fees to France are often from the 20% value added tax that the importing business may otherwise be able to claim back.
Most online orders shipped to France can be imported duty free but subject to prepayment of value added tax via online platforms. See section below on shipping online orders to France. Read about VAT collection for online orders to European Union countries.
Delivery to France and EU distribution from France
Jet Worldwide provides France and EU parcel distribution from within the EU. Contact our French Canadian team for information on EU parcel last-mile distribution. Jet helps Canadian and Quebec independent sellers (via Shopify, Let Pannier Bleu, eBay etc) to France and the UK.
PDF presentation: Shipping to Europe from Canada
Import France for shipping from Montreal
Goods shipped to France must be accompanied by an invoice for customs or other supporting documents.
- The Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for most goods imported into France is 20%
- Most items with a declared value under EUR 150 can be imported without duty but will still be accessed VAT
- Qualifying Canada origin goods can benefit from duty free import under the Canadian European Free Trade Agreement CETA.
CANADA'S MAJOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
Shipping personal effects to France from Canada
Defined as used and for personal use only, personal effects shipped to France are eligible for clearance free of duty and taxes. Requirements include:
- A detailed invoice with itemized values
- Clear mention of 'Used Personal Effects' in paperwork
- Customs inspection made upon arrival and consignee will be contacted
Shipping of excess baggage to France: Generally, it is simpler and easier to ship your personal effects as excess baggage when you travel. Carrier excess baggage fees for a couple of bags is most often less expensive than shipping separately without having to manage the entry requirements (discussed above).
Shipping a box or several boxes: Jet Worldwide provides solutions shipping of international personal effects to France from Canada via economy air. Get a shipping quote France from Canada via Jet.
Shipping a household/container level: For shipping a full household, it is best to contact a moving specialists to arrange for packing and ocean transport.
Shipping e-commerce orders to France and the EU
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 VAT payment for online orders shipped to the European Union.
Here are a few things to consider when developing high-volume shipping solutions from Quebec and Canada to France and the EU:
- Customers shipping goods valued under EUR 150 do not have to pay duty; however, the VAT still applies.
- Goods shipped from Canada via France to the rest of the EU can be imported with a French VAT Number.
- Jet Worldwide can assist North American companies in their development of direct shipping solutions to France and the EU.
- Jet Worldwide can help Canadian companies set up fiscal representation in France to facilitate final formalities as needed.
- Jet Worldwide can provide customers with a duties and taxes estimate in advance of shipping, enabling Canadian retailers to determine the import cost of their online orders.
VAT Rules for Imports to the European Union
1. All goods imported to the EU are subject to VAT
2. IOSS Processes and portal
Import One-Stop Shop: E-commerce shipments valued under EUR 150 can be imported via One-Stop Shop (IOSS) processes that allow sellers and online marketplaces to charge VAT at the point of sale and remit it directly to the authorities.
- If the IOSS is not used, the VAT will be charged to ecommerce customers by the importing carrier (plus an administrative/ pre-payment fee).
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The Canadian e-commerce businesses and marketplaces will be able to register for a VAT account in only one EU country. Currently, sellers have to register in each country they sell and ship to.
3. Collection of VAT from point of Sale by marketplaces and online sellers
Online marketplaces or direct to consumer (DTC) individual sellers (who do not use an online marketplace) are the responsible party for collecting VAT for orders up to €150.
- Online merchants using several marketplaces to should keep records of their sales corresponding to the IOSS number/ customs declarant used for the transaction.
4. The IOSS applies to online sales to all EU countries and Northern Ireland
EU countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. EU VAT rules for Northern Ireland are established in the EU-UK Joint Protocol.
5. Canadian companies and ecommerce sellers can access and register via the IOSS portal of an EU Member.
Businesses not already established in the EU will likely need to appoint an EU-established intermediary to fulfill the VAT obligations.
For details on IOSS and the otherEU’s VAT rules, visit: Publications Office of the European Union.
Shipping Canadian Online Orders to France and the EU
Jet Worldwide has best in class solutions for Canada's leading e-commerce sellers.
Parcels of Canadian origin and CETA duty-free status
Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates are generally applicable for good traded between France and Canada. Goods that meet The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) rules of origin can benefit from preferential duty free import. The MFN tariff rates of Canada and France apply to goods that do not meet the rules of origin (non-originating goods) under CETA.
Simplified declarations are possible for low-value shipments under the CETA. Country origin rules are associated with factors used to determine if the product is eligible for preferential duty-free treatment under the CETA. Canadian shippers 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.
The CETA country of origin declaration has a specific wording, which is fairly straightforward (check with up-to-date regulations before shipping).
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