A Guide For Shipping From China to France

Are you seeking a way to transport your goods? Check out this step-by-step tutorial on shipping from China to France. 

China is France’s major Asian trading partner and second-largest overall supplier. In 2018, bilateral commerce between the two countries reached $62.9 billion (USD). If you want to contribute to that number by importing from China to France, you’ve come to the perfect location.

This article contains important information to assist you in navigating the complexities of international ocean and air freight transportation. You can enjoy more successful and efficient ocean and air transportation from China to France with our assistance.

Tips on Saving Your Money & Time Before Shipping From China to France

Image Source: CANVA

Check to see if the items are able to be shipped.

1. Examine the merchandise to check if it is broken, scratched, damaged, not the grade you bought, or otherwise incomplete.

Pre-shipment inspections were first implemented in 1994 as part of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was later superseded by the World Trade Organisation, as a way to strengthen international trade standards (WTO).

Prohibited Items in France

The following items are forbidden from being shipped to any UPS-served country:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Animal skins (non-domesticated)
• Articles of exceptional value (eg, works of art, antiques, precious stones, gold and silver)
• Dangerous goods/Hazardous materials (following IATA regulations for Express and Expedited, and following ADR regulations for Standard)
• Firearms
• Furs
• Ivory and ivory products
• Live animals
• Money and negotiable items
• Perishable goods
• Personal effects (except via MBE Centres to selected countries)
• Plants
• Pornographic materials
• Seeds
• Tobacco and tobacco products
• Unaccompanied baggage (except via MBE Centres to selected countries)
• Watches exceeding the value of 500USD

Also prohibited are shipments with inherent vice which by their nature are likely to soil, impair, or damage persons, merchandise, or equipment; goods whose carriage is prohibited by law in the country of origin, transit, or destination (eg. ivory and ivory products), goods that attract excise duty (eg. spirits), and goods that require special handling (eg. spirits). Specified items can only be transported under certain conditions and are prohibited from being transported by air, according to current law (eg. liquids in glass containers). 

To discover more about Shipping from China to Vietnam, please visit our blog.

Using UPS to ship forbidden items on a contractual basis

Certain restricted items will be accepted by UPS on a contractual basis for shippers that have a consistent volume and the ability to follow all applicable requirements.

Under specific conditions, we can transport the following items:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Perishable goods
• Plants
• Seeds
• Tobacco and tobacco products

Restricted Items in France

Senders should determine import restrictions from French authorities before posting

• Alcohol
• Animals and animal products
• Anti-parasite products
• Bees, honey and waxes
• Baby’s comforters
• Books and publications
• Cereals
• Contraceptives
• Electric blankets
• Fertilizers
• Foodstuffs, prepared
• Fruit
• Gemstones
• Helmets, motorcycle
• Instruments, measuring
• Jewellery, imitation
• Leeches
• Medicines
• Metals, precious
• Narcotics
• Pearls and precious stones
• Plants and parts of plants
• Radio elements
• Roots and bulbs
• Rubber articles
• Seeds
• Syringes and needles
• Television receivers
• Terminal equipment
• Tobacco
• Toys, games and sports requisites
• Wadding, felt, woven fabrics
• Wood and articles of wood
• War material
• Weapons

EDNs and export permissions are necessary for ECI and EPI articles traveling to Andorra, French Guiana, Reunion, and Monaco.

• Kangaroo skins
• Crocodile skins
• Emu oil
• Fish oil
• Bunker oil
• Coal
• Petroleum based products
• Tobacco and tobacco products
• Any other alcohol including beer and spirits all volumes.

2. Find out about Chinese holidays.

This frequently results in an overabundance of shipments. There’s a good risk your shipment will be delayed if several staff leave early to begin their vacations, resulting in fewer employees in the weeks running up to the Chinese holidays. As a result, you must be aware of (and prepared for) delays in advance to minimize delays that could be fatal to our businesses.

Image Source: shipping-from-china

Make sure you stick to your delivery deadlines.

Although you won’t be able to forecast delays, it’s a good idea to keep up with carrier deadlines and updates. Carriers publish shipping deadlines each holiday season to assure delivery before specified holidays and dates.

When shipping cargo from China to France, how long does it take?

The transit times of air and sea freight cargo are obviously considerably different. Your cargo can arrive in China in as little as two days if you ship it by air. Shipping an entire container from China to France takes much longer. You should anticipate shipping times of 20 to 41 days.

How long does it take to transport cargo from China to France by sea?

Here are some instances of how long it takes to send a shipping container from China to France.

Ningbo to Fos-sur-Mer	41 days FCL
Ningbo to Le Havre	38 days FCL
Shanghai to Le Havre	34 days LCL, 37 days FCL
Shekou to Le Havre	38 days FCL
Shenzhen to Le Havre	39 days LCL, 46 days FCL
Tianjin to Fos-sur-Mer	41 days FCL
Zhuhai to Fos-sur-Mer	20 days FCL

How long does it take to transport cargo from China to France by air?

Here are some samples of typical air freight transit times between China and France:

• Tianjin to Paris 15 hours, to Lyon 18 hours, to Nice 18 hours, to Marseille 17 hours
• Dalian to Paris 15 hours, to Lyon 16 hours, to Nice 16 hours, to Marseille 17 hours
• Shanghai to Paris 12 hours, to Lyon 15 hours, to Nice 15 hours, to Marseille 14 hours
• Guangzhou / Shenzhen / Hong Kong to Paris 12 hours, to Lyon 15 hours, to Nice 16 hours, to Marseille 15 hours
• Qingdao to Paris 14 hours, to Lyon 15 hours, to Nice 16 hours, to Marseille 15 hours

4. Make certain you understand your shipping expenses and budget.

A precise evaluation of shipping and fulfillment costs is required when preparing your business budget. You’ll notice that money starts to flow in a variety of places throughout your company; budgets are a critical tool for staying in control of spending.

The ability to create, monitor, and manage a budget is critical to a company’s success. It should assist you in allocating resources where they are needed to keep your company profitable and successful. It doesn’t have to be difficult. All you have to do now is figure out how much money you’ll make and how much money you’ll spend over the budget period.

How Much Does Cargo Shipping From China to France Cost?

The cost of carrying air freight or containerized cargo from China to France is determined by a number of factors. When providing you with an estimate, a freight forwarder will normally examine the following factors:

• Nature of goods
• Chosen mode of transport (FCL, LCL, Air)
• Weight of the cargo
• Dimensions of the cargo
• Distance between supplier/origin and recipient/destination
• Type of service (such as Port-to-Port, Door-to-Door)

Read more about the Shipping from China to Korea.

5. Make sure you have all of the appropriate documents for your trip.

Clearance of Customs in China and France

When exporting from China to France, customs clearance is a necessary aspect of the process. It makes sense for your company to hire the services of a seasoned freight forwarder to reduce the chances of delays and difficulties. This ensures that all formalities are carried out in accordance with Chinese and French customs laws and regulations.

You are still responsible for supplying the appropriate paperwork that initiates the customs clearance process, even if you have hired a freight forwarder. The following documentation will almost definitely be requested by the authorities in the export and import countries:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin
• Letter of Credit or other payment terms (depends on the contract between the parties involved)
• Bill of Lading for ocean freight or Airway Bill for air freight (Shipa Freight will provide this for you)

Other documents that may be required include licenses, permits, and certifications. Your freight forwarder will notify you and assist you if this is the case. Visit our handy documents list page to learn more about these distinct documents and see some samples.

6. Use the services of a trustworthy freight forwarder.

Worldwide transit, by its very nature, creates insecure conditions. You’ll need a freight forwarder who can limit risks and deal with problems as they arise. They should be proactive and provide solutions as soon as possible. Cargo insurance is one risk mitigation approach.

What Are Your Shipping Options for Freight From China to France?

Importing from China to France is feasible via sea and air. Let’s examine both options in detail.

From China to France, Air Freight

Image Source: air-freight-vs-air-cargo

LCL (less than container load): When you book an LCL shipment, your cargo will be transported in a container with the cargo of other shippers. LCL can be the most cost-effective solution to export small quantities of freight from China to France because you don’t have to pay for a complete unit.

FCL (Full Container Load): When you choose an FCL service, you pay for the exclusive usage and transportation of an entire container. If you are exporting huge amounts of goods from China to France, this way of transportation may be even less expensive than LCL.

Freight from China to France by Air

Air freight is a good option for exporting from China to France because it is quick and flexible. However, it will almost certainly be more expensive than sea freight.

Should You Ship Your Goods by Sea or by Air?

Shipping by Sea

Image Source: air-freight-vs-air-cargo

The majority of business items arrive in France by sea freight in ordinary shipping containers. These standard units, as well as break-bulk cargo that cannot fit inside a container due to its size or shape, are transported by specialized cargo ships. To assist you in shipping special-needs freight, consult your carrier or freight forwarding provider.

LCL and FCL are the two options for containerized maritime shipping. Both alternatives are available as a port-to-port or door-to-door service. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

LCL FREIGHT SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS

 Advantages:

• For consignments of less than six standard pallets (14 CBM), this is usually the most cost-effective choice.
• You don’t have to wait to fill a container with cargo, therefore your supply chain can be sped up.
• Suppliers and buyers can easily drop off/pick up cargo at the warehouse where containers are loaded and unloaded, giving them more flexibility.

Disadvantages:

• Because of the container’s consolidation and deconsolidation, transit times may be prolonged.
• Due to the additional handling and movements required, this method is not suitable for delicate, fragile, or perishable goods.
• On our dedicated website for LCL shipping, you may learn more about the term “less than container load.”

Discover more about the Shipping from China to Latvia.

FCL FREIGHT SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS

 Advantages:

Ocean shipment is the quickest since no consolidation or deconsolidation is required.

If you’re transporting more than 14 CBM, FCL is usually less expensive than LCL.

Isolates your cargo in the container during its journey from China to France.

Disadvantages:

• Even though your container can only be partially filled, you must still pay to send the complete unit.
• Because not all businesses can handle a full container, it may limit your loading/delivery alternatives.
• Learn more about Full Container Load shipping on our dedicated FCL website.

Advantages of Air Freight:

• Air transportation is appropriate for small consignments containing only a few pallets.
• For perishable items with a short shelf life, the low transport times are ideal.
• High security standards help to limit the risk of high-value cargo.
• It may be preferred by buyers and suppliers who are located near an international airport over maritime freight.
• Because air freight is less weather-dependent and more predictable than sea freight, you can be more certain about your delivery date.

Disadvantages:

• For big amounts of commodities, air freight can be prohibitively expensive.
• Airlines may reject bulky or oddly shaped cargo if it won’t fit in the aircraft hold.

Guide to Ocean Cargo Ports

China’s Origin Ports for Cargo

SHANGHAI

Facts about the port:

• The world’s busiest container port and China’s most important international commerce gateway.
• It has both a deep-sea and a river port.
• A large automated container terminal is one of the facilities.
• The provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu are ideal for shippers.

Owned By: Shanghai International Port Company Ltd.

TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units): >40 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

CNSHA is a UN/LOCODE.

TIANJIN

Facts about the port:

• Northern China’s largest port and the world’s ninth largest.
• Ideal for shippers in the vicinity of Beijing, China’s capital.
• There are over 115 itineraries to places all around the world.

Owned By: Tianjin Port Group Ltd.

TEUs (twenty-eighty-eighty-eighty-eighty-eighty-e

CNTNG is a UN/LOCODE.

SHENZHEN

Facts about the port:

• Among the world’s top five container ports.
• Around 140 berths are available in various ports along 260 kilometers of coastline.
• In close proximity to Hong Kong and Macau.
• Over 220 itineraries to overseas locations are served.

Owned By: Shenzhen government.

TEU Volume: >25.2 million TEUs every year

CNSHK is the UN/LOCODE for the United Nations.

FUZHOU

Facts about the port:

• One of the top 10 container ports in the United States.
• Faces the Taiwan Strait and is located on the southeast shore.
• Direct express rail links to China’s hinterland are available.

Owned By: Fuzhou Port Group Corporation Ltd.

Container Volume: > 3 million TEUs per year

CNFOC is the UN/LOCODE for the United Nations.

XIAMEN

Facts about the port:

• China’s eighth-largest container port.
• Offers 68 shipping routes to over 50 countries, with service to nearly all significant ports around the world.
• There are 74 berths and nine cargo ports on the ship.

Owned By: Xiamen Port Authority.

>10 million TEUs in annual container volume

CNXMN is the UN/LOCODE code.

CHINA’S OTHER PORTS

You can also export your cargo from China using the following container gateways, in addition to the five ports indicated above:

• Guangzhou (Nansha)
• Wuhan
• Chongqing
• Lianyungang
• Qinzhou
• Shantou
• Zhuhai
• Zhongshan
• Nanjing
• Qingdao
• Ningbo-Zhoushan
• Dalian

Arrival Ports for Cargo in France

LE HAVRE

Facts about the port:

• Located on the northern coast of France, around 200 kilometers from Paris, in the Normandy area.
• The country’s oldest and second-largest container port.
• It gives you access to a vast railroad network that connects you to sites all throughout Europe.
• There are 6.5 kilometers of ports and three freight terminals on the property.

Owned By: Grande Port Maritime du Havre.

Annual Container Volume: >2.8 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: FRLEH.

FOS-SUR-MER

Facts about the port:

• Located 40 kilometers northeast of Marseille in the south of France.
• Marseille, Montpelier, Avignon, and other southern French cities are served.

Owned By: Marseille Fos Port Authority.

Annual Container Volume: >1.25 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: FRFROS.

Airport Guide to Flying Your Freight

China’s Origin Airports

SHANGHAI PUDONG

Facts about the port:

• The world’s third busiest aviation cargo gateway.
• In 2019, Air Cargo World named it the best cargo airport in the world.
• Freight carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL use this Asia-Pacific transport hub.
• There are plans in the works to increase capacity to six million tonnes of cargo each year.

French Airports Served: Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Cargo-Only Operators from Shanghai to France: None.

PVG is the IATA code for this destination.

FUZHOU

Facts about the port:

• It was founded in 1997 and is located in Fujian Province.
• Among the top 30 busiest cargo hubs in the world.
• This decade will see more expansion.

French Airports Served: None.

Cargo-Only Operators from Fuzhou to France: None.

FOC is the IATA code for this destination.

GUANGZHOU

Facts about the port:

• China’s third busiest cargo airport and the world’s 19th busiest.
• The province of Guangdong’s main airport.
• Two terminals and three runways are available.

French Airports Served: Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Cargo-Only Operators from Guangzhou to France: None.

CAN is the IATA code for Canada.

CHENGDU

Facts about the port:

• In Sichuan province, 16 kilometers southwest of Chengdu’s city.
• The country’s fourth busiest freight airport.
• Western China’s most important cargo center.
• Direct flights to 50 international and 170 domestic destinations are available.

French Airports Served: None.

Cargo-Only Operators from Chengdu to France: None.

CTU is the IATA code for this airport.

BEIJING-CAPITAL

Facts about the port:

• Beijing’s main core is 32 kilometers to the northeast.
• By freight traffic, it is the world’s 13th busiest airport.
• In 2018, the company handled two million tonnes of cargo.

French Airports Served: Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Beijing is France’s capital. Operators who only transport cargo: none.

PEK is the IATA code for Pakistan.

CHINA’S OTHER AIRPORTS

You can also ship your cargo from China to France via the following Chinese airports:

• Qingdao
• Xiamen
• Wuhan
• Shenzhen
• Zhengzhou
• Dalian
• Tianjin
• Shanghai Hongqiao

Arrival Airports in France

PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE

Facts about the port:

• The cargo airport is the 12th busiest in the world and the second busiest in Europe.
• The largest and most well-known airport in France.
• Located 23 kilometers northeast of central Paris in the Roissy-en-France area.
• It has a total area of around 32 square kilometers.

Connected Airports in China: Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Beijing-Capital.

Cargo-Only Operators from China to Paris: None.

CDG is the IATA code for this airport.

MARSEILLE

Facts about the port:

• Located 27 kilometers northwest of Marseille’s city center.
• France’s third-largest air freight gateway.
• For importers in France’s southern regions, this is the best option.

Connected Airports in China: None.

China to Marseille Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA CODE: MRS.

LYON

Facts about the port:

• Official name is Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport.
• Main air-cargo hub for the third-biggest city in the country.
• Located just 20 km outside of Lyon’s city center.
• Serves France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Connected Airports in China: None.

China to Lyon Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA CODE: LYS.

STRASBOURG

Airport Facts:

• Small airport, just 10 km southwest of central Strasbourg.
• Has only one terminal and a single runway.

Connected Airports in China: None.

China to Strasbourg Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA CODE: SXB.

Selecting the Best Shipping Method from China to France

China’s Leading Freight Forwarder

FBABEE

Company Overview

• Origin: Guangdong, China
• Brand Name: FBABEE
• Via: Direct Flight
• Shipment Type: All Types
• Service: Door to Door Shipping
• Warehouse: 14 Days Free Warehouse Storage
• Exceptional Service: Full Range Prep Services
• Location: #302, Bld D, New Retail Digital Industrial Zone, Xixiang Street, Bao’An, 518100, Guangdong Province, China

Image Source: FBABEE

FBABEE is a full-service preparation and shipping firm dedicated to assisting our clients in focusing and growing their businesses. In addition to China and the United States, the corporation has offices in China and the United Kingdom. The Chinese side is in charge of product preparation and delivery. Customs processing, taxes, delivery to the AMZ warehouse, and acting as a backup in the event of transportation delays are all handled by the American side. It also offers door-to-door delivery from China, allowing you to manage and integrate products from a range of manufacturers and suppliers before sending them to the Deliver fulfillment network for distribution across the country.

Services Offered

• Air + Express Freight: YES
• Sea Freight: YES
• Express Shipping: YES

Additional Services

• Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) Labeling
• Bundling
• Packaging
• Warning and Other Labels
• Poly Bagging
• Market Material
• 14 Days Storage

Conclusion

Whether you already have experience in shipping goods, or this is your first time, we come to you with solutions that will help you understand how to save money, time, and avoid trouble. 

Freight forwarders have strong ties with international agencies and pass the savings on to you. All parties concerned place a high value on things like efficiency, quickness, and service.

FBABEE takes care of all of the intricacies associated with international logistics and meets all of your global shipping requirements. You will be at the forefront of freight forwarding with our cutting-edge web platform, regardless of the mode of transportation you chose. Contact them now!