Import
from 230 pays

Every shipment arriving in France from a country outside the European Union is inspected by French Customs. Only then will your parcel be handled by Chronopost for delivery.

As a Registered Customs Representative, Chronopost is authorized to carry out all import customs clearance operations in mainland France and the French Overseas Departments (DOM). Only temporary admission procedures and services involving goods subject to specific regulations cannot be handled by our services.

We hold Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, issued by the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes (DGDDI). This status allows us to benefit from simplified formalities and reduced customs controls, accelerating customs clearance.

However, the sender must comply with French import requirements to prevent any delays or blockages in customs.

The France country guide provides details on delivery times and customs specifics to help your sender prepare their shipment properly. Please note that, in accordance with Article 3 of our General Terms and Conditions of Sale, Chronopost does not handle counterfeit goods. Such items may be seized by Customs and result in heavy fines.

All goods arriving from outside the EU are subject to customs formalities and must travel with a commercial or pro forma invoice.

Shipping documents does not require customs paperwork. A document is defined as paper media with no commercial value. Document shipments weighing over 3 kg are classified as merchandise.

The nature and intended use of the goods must be clearly described; technical jargon and model or part numbers alone are not accepted (e.g., "Shure SM58" must be declared as "Microphone").

Specific restrictions apply to certain goods—such as jewelry, plants, medicines, and food supplements—for which the recipient must hire a freight forwarder to handle clearance and final delivery.

For shipments originating outside the European Union, import fees will apply.

These fees include VAT, customs duties, dock dues (octrois de mer), other applicable taxes, and customs clearance processing, specifically:

• VAT: A local tax paid to the Public Treasury. It is 20% in mainland France; 8.5% in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion (except for books and goods over 100 years old, taxed at 5.5%); and 0% in Saint Martin, French Guiana, and Mayotte.
• Customs duties: An EU Community tax.
• Dock dues (octroi de mer): For shipments bound for French Overseas Departments (DOM), dock dues—a customs tax collected by overseas local authorities—will apply. The rate varies depending on the department.
• Customs clearance services: Fees charged by Chronopost under the direct representation mandate granted by the exporter or importer to Chronopost as a Registered Customs Representative, authorizing Chronopost to act in their name and on their behalf for customs declarations.

Whenever customs formalities are completed, Chronopost charges clearance handling fees in addition to applicable duties and taxes*. These are billed according to current rates based on the destination country and the Incoterm.

Customs Clearance Fee Schedule (effective September 1, 2026):

• Mainland France:
  • €2 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €2.50.
  • €15 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €45.
  • €21 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €150.
  • €25 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €500.
  • €42 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €1,000.
  • €50 incl. VAT maximum per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is greater than or equal to €1,000.
• French Overseas Departments (DOM):
  • €2 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €22.
  • €22 incl. VAT per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is strictly below €1,000 (reduced to €10 incl. VAT for shipments to private individuals when the customs value is under €100).
  • €29 incl. VAT maximum per customs declaration if the customs value of the goods is greater than or equal to €1,000.
• Flat-rate customs duty

The territories affected by the flat-rate customs duty are: the EU, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Mayotte, and French Guiana.

This fee applies once the value of the goods reaches €1 and covers all item categories imported from outside the European Union. For business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments, this charge is €3 per item, excluding preserved duty-free allowances (€45 for shipments between private individuals).

For consumer-to-consumer (C2C, over €45), business-to-business (B2B), and consumer-to-business (C2B) shipments, customs duties now apply from the first euro (€1), calculated based on the value and classification of the item.

In the event of a return, the regulations do not provide for a refund of flat-rate customs duties.

• And any other tax payable to French Customs based on the nature or value of the goods.

All of these import fees must be paid to Chronopost upon delivery of the shipment, with the exception of import VAT, which is paid directly to the Public Treasury under the reverse charge mechanism (for more information, visit the dedicated page).

In certain cases, Chronopost can handle parcels shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) or franco domicile cleared.

Please note:

• The taxable base for VAT is calculated on the value of the goods, shipping, and packaging costs.
• For private individuals in French Overseas Departments, customs clearance handling fees apply when the value of the goods is strictly greater than €100 (invoice value).

With our tool, estimate customs duties and taxes for both import and export.  
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Has your shipment been held by customs due to a missing or incorrect invoice? Here is a breakdown of the different scenarios and the appropriate solutions.

First, ask your sender for the parcel's invoice; otherwise, it will be returned to origin.

You are expecting goods for commercial or non-commercial purposes:
An invoice (in five copies) must be attached to the parcel and must include specific details regarding the nature, origin, and value of the goods.

• For commercial shipments (goods intended for sale), the commercial invoice must include the Incoterm (International Commercial Terms).
• For non-commercial shipments (goods not intended for sale), the pro forma invoice must include the statements "sans valeur commerciale – no commercial value" and "valeur pour la douane uniquement – value for customs purposes only".

You purchased goods online:
You must provide a pro forma invoice along with proof of payment (PayPal invoice or bank transaction record).

In all cases, you must provide your agreement to pay duties and taxes upon delivery, either on plain paper or as an email attachment (.pdf or .doc format), using the following wording:
"I, the undersigned, Ms./Mr. xxx, hereby agree to pay all duties and taxes upon delivery of parcel no. xxx"

Date and sign.

NB: For shipments originating from Norway, Morocco, and Israel, the original invoice is required.

Resolution process
In the event of a dispute, Chronopost will contact the recipient or sender within 24 hours of opening the non-compliance file.
Within a maximum of 14 days following the issue encountered, you can send the duly completed documents along with your agreement to pay duties and taxes.
You must include the shipment reference number in all communications; otherwise, your file cannot be processed.

*For shipments departing from French Overseas Departments (DOM) to any destination including mainland France; originating from any location including mainland France to the DOM; departing from mainland France to a non-EU country; and originating from a non-EU country to mainland France, customs clearance fees may apply (VAT, customs duties, dock dues, other taxes, clearance processing fees).

**In Mayotte, French Guiana, and Saint Martin, VAT is 0%. In Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Réunion, imports are exempt from VAT up to a value of €22.