What you pay on import
- Customs duty: a percentage of the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), depending on the product's HS/TARIC code — often between 0 and 12%.
- Import VAT: generally 20% in France, calculated on the CIF value plus duty.
- Where applicable, anti-dumping duties on certain products (steel, e-bikes, ceramics…).
Businesses can self-assess import VAT on their VAT return instead of paying it at clearance: a real cash-flow advantage.
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Import customs declaration (up to 5 lines) | €79 |
| Additional tariff line | €8 |
| Import VAT self-assessment (reverse charge) | €39 |
| Help obtaining an EORI number | Free |
| Cargo insurance (ad valorem) | 0.35% (min. €35) |
| Customs physical inspection (if selected) | €95 |
| Delivery with tail-lift | €45 |
| Delivery by appointment | €25 |
| Delivery to Amazon FBA France (booking included) | €49 |
| Corsica surcharge | €180 / pallet |
| French overseas surcharge (Caribbean, Réunion, Guiana) | €290/m³ |
| Storage in France (Le Havre / Paris) | €6 / pallet / week |
| Container demurrage (after 7 free days) | €65/day (20') · €95/day (40') |
Duties and VAT (20%) are re-invoiced at cost, without mark-up, against the official customs assessment.
Required documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Importer's EORI number (free, obtained from customs within a few days)
- Compliance documents depending on the product (CE declaration, test reports…)
- Certificate of origin if a preferential agreement applies
Private buyers and e-commerce: the DDP option
With our DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) lines, duties and VAT are included in the per-kilo price: no paperwork and nothing to pay on delivery. Rules for low-value consignments are changing at EU level; we always apply the regulations in force on the day of clearance.
