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International
shipping
Sending a parcel to family abroad or exporting for business development needs careful planning. We are with you every step of the way to help you with the customs process.
Export customs clearance
Shipping goods abroad is simple! A few tips for your international shipments :
1. Start by identifying the shipment classification depending on its content. Does your parcel contain documents or goods?
2. Every destination is unique. Consult the relevant country information sheet to learn more and comply with local particularities.
3. Prepare all the customs documents which will guarantee trouble-free shipping.
Any goods or documents of value are subject to customs formalities. The customs services of the destination country should be able to easily identify the origin, nature and value of the shipment in order to apply local tax rules and restrictions if necessary.
Attaching all the required customs documents helps to avoid your shipment being opened and delayed by customs authorities in the country of destination.
Countries subject to customs formalities
For goods sent from mainland France, all countries outside the European Union are subject to customs formalities including French Overseas Territories (DOM/TOM), French Overseas Collectivities and Countries, and Andorra.
Destinations not subject to European Union laws and regulations and subject to customs formalities:
- Büsingen and Heligoland (Germany),
- Faroe Islands, Greenland (Denmark) ,
- Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla (Spain),
- Åland Islands (Finland),
- Mount Athos (Greece),
- Campione d'Italia, Livigno, San Marino, the Vatican (Italy),
- Jersey, Guernsey (Great Britain)
Shipment classification
Does the parcel contain documents or goods?
The classification of international shipments is used to establish the nature of the shipment(documents or goods). The classification determines the restrictions applicable to certain items depending on the destination country as well as the documents that must be attached to the shipment. The customs regulations of certain countries attribute commercial value to some shipments which may be considered documents.
How does it work?
The content of your shipment is classified by a number in the table below. The country information sheet indicates whether the contents of your shipment are considered documents or goods and whether they are subject to any customs particularities.
It is then possible to attach all the necessary information regarding declarations and appropriate invoices to the shipment to facilitate the customs process.
| Chronopost Classification | Title | Example of Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Alcohol and spirits | |
| 02 | Non-alcoholic drinks | |
| 03 | Wine (sample) | |
| 04 | Perfume (sample) | |
| 05 | Passport, identity documents | |
| 06 | Tobacco | |
| 07 | Personal items | |
| 08 | Computer hardware | Computer, hard disk |
| 09 | Machines/Mechanical Equipment | Parts, machine motor |
| 10 | Equipment and recording media for sound or image recording | Camera, CD, DVD, telephone |
| 11 | Medical or optical equipment | Glasses, contact lenses, dental equipment, thermometer |
| 12 | Timepieces | Watch, clock |
| 13 | Musical instruments | Instrument part, instrument accessories |
| 14 | Labels/boxes/cardboard | Labels, paper bags, cardboard box |
| 15 | Books/magazines/posters/catalogues/photos | Commercial brochures, advertising posters, photo album |
| 16 | Pharmaceutical products/medicines | |
| 17 | Chemical products | Laboratory reagents, fertilizer, matches, waxes, inks and organic and inorganic chemical products |
| 18 | Cosmetics | Cream, soap, shampoo |
| 19 | Automotive parts | Car, motorbike, airplane, boat accessories |
| 20 | Games/toys | Various toys, games consoles |
| 21 | Furniture/lighting equipment/decorative objects (excluding works of art) | Lamp, luminous sign, various items of furniture |
| 22 | Clothing/clothing accessories | Rugs, clothes, lace, embroidery |
| 23 | Fabric | Flag, various fabric samples |
| 24 | Machining/metal parts | Metals such as iron, steel, copper etc. and items made from such metals |
| 25 | Costume jewelry | |
| 26 | Leather or hides | Leather objects, handbags |
| 27 | Shoes | Shoes and parts of shoes |
| 28 | Radiography | |
| 29 | Non-perishable or tinned foodstuffs | Cereals, grains, seeds, spices, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, food preparations |
| 30 | Other documents with no commercial value | Letters, internal business letters, copy of a contract |
Customs documents
Proforma or commercial invoice, EUR-1 or ATR1 form: what document should you attach to your parcel? Don't worry we've explained everything to make sending your parcel easier.
| DOCUMENT | WHEN SHOULD I USE IT? | WHAT IS IT? | HOW SHOULD I USE IT? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROFORMA INVOICE |
If you are a business customer sending goods not destined for sale. If you are a private customer sending a parcel abroad. If you have to declare the value of the goods to be shipped |
A document declaring the value of a shipment containing goods not destined for sale. It contains all the information about the products, the sender, the consignee, the transport label etc. |
3 copies of the invoice should be provided. NB. The following text must be clearly marked: " no commercial value - sans valeur commerciale" and "value for customs purposes only - valeur pour la douane". Never put a value of €0. |
| COMMERCIAL INVOICE | If you are a business customer sending goods destined for sale. | A document declaring the value of a shipment containing goods destined for sale. It contains all the information about the products, the sender, the consignee, the transport label etc. |
3 copies of the invoice should be provided, written in French and in English for non-French-speaking countries. The invoice must also state the EORI (Economic Operator Registration Identification) number. |
| DECLARATION OF ORIGIN | If you are a business customer sending goods destined for sale whose client can benefit from a reduction in customs duty. | Under the value of €6000, the declaration of origin can be used to send goods to certain countries subject to preferential agreements with the EU. The shipment may be exempt from all or part of the customs duty. |
Use the country information sheets to check which destination countries are eligible. Declaration of origin |
| EUR-1 | The EUR-1 is a certificate of origin granting a reduction in customs duty. It is used to send original goods made within the EU with a value of more than €6000 to a country subject to preferential agreements with the EU. | International Trade Bookshop or the publisher GMJ. | |
| ATR1 | ATR1 is a compulsory certificate of origin for the shipping of goods destined for sale in Turkey. This document certifies that the goods are manufactured in or have free circulation status within the EU. |
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