France Import Duties & Taxes Explained

Yes, a 20% import VAT applies to all commercial shipments from the US to France, regardless of value. This tax is calculated on the total CIF value (cost of goods plus shipping and insurance) plus any applicable customs duties.

Customs duty only applies if the intrinsic value of your items (excluding shipping) exceeds €150. If your order is below this threshold, you will not owe any customs duty, though import VAT still applies.

Duty rates vary by product type, typically ranging from 0% to 17%, and are calculated on the CIF value of your goods. You can check the specific rate for your items based on their classification code.

Yes, carriers like DHL or FedEx charge a clearance fee, usually between €12 and €25, or 2.5% of the advanced taxes if that amount is higher. This fee covers the processing of your customs paperwork.

French Customs collects the VAT and duties through your chosen carrier, who will collect the payment before releasing your shipment for final delivery. You will receive a notification from the carrier with payment instructions.

You can estimate costs by calculating 20% VAT on your item value plus shipping, adding any applicable duty if over €150, and including a €12–€25 carrier fee. Keep in mind that final charges are determined by French Customs upon arrival.

The €45 exemption only applies to non-commercial gifts sent directly between individuals, which does not cover most Stackry forwarding scenarios. Since Stackry forwards commercial purchases, VAT and duty rules for commercial imports apply.

If the US seller collected VAT at checkout under the IOSS scheme, you generally won't pay it again upon arrival for orders under €150. However, shipments typically involve sellers who do not use IOSS, so charges are usually paid upon arrival.

French Customs uses the CIF method, which includes the cost of your items, insurance, and shipping costs to determine the taxable base. This total amount is used to calculate both customs duty and import VAT.

While the standard rates cover most goods, specific categories like alcohol, tobacco, or luxury items may have different duty rates or additional excise taxes. Check with French Customs for product-specific regulations before shipping.