Import costs in France
Ordering from outside the EU for delivery to France? Enter your order details to estimate the total cost.
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This estimate uses the rules in effect on 9 November 2026. The final amount you pay may differ. What has changed?
VAT in France
On imports you pay the same VAT rate as in a shop in France: 20% for most products. VAT is charged on the product price, shipping, insurance, customs duty and the EU handling fee together.
- 20% (standard)
- 10% (e.g. non-reimbursable medicines)
- 5.5% (food, books, menstrual products)
- 2.1% (reimbursable medicines, newspapers)
Clearance fees in France
Your postal service or courier handles the customs declaration and pays the taxes on your behalf. You repay these taxes along with a clearance fee. You usually avoid this fee if you paid VAT at checkout through IOSS.
| Carrier | Fee | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| La Poste (Colissimo) | €8 handling fee when you pay the postman or at the pickup point, €2 to €5 when you pay online. Only charged when you have duty or VAT to pay. | November 2026 |
| DHL Express | €16.67 or 1.8% of duty and VAT, whichever is higher. | November 2026 |
Travelling back to France
Goods you bring from outside the EU are free of duty and VAT up to €430 when you travel by plane or boat, €300 by car or train, and €150 for children under 15. Declare goods above the allowance to customs when you arrive. You can prepare the declaration online with DéclareDouane and pay online or at a customs office.
Good to know
- France’s own tax on small parcels (€2 per item from 1 March 2026) was abolished on 1 July 2026. Only the EU €3 duty and €2 handling fee remain.