Moving from the U.S. to France: How to Ship Household Goods & Personal Effects

Posted on November 18, 2025

A Complete Guide to shipping household goods from the US to France, and Choosing the Right Moving Company

Relocating from the United States to France is an exciting step — but shipping your household goods and personal effects internationally can be complex. From customs paperwork to visa rules to choosing a trustworthy mover, there’s a lot to get right.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know, including customs requirements, shipping options, and real customer feedback from ClickMoves and other highly-rated international moving companies.

Why Careful Planning Matters

Shipping internationally requires careful coordination.
Proper planning helps with:

  • Cost savings — Sea freight is generally more affordable than air freight.
  • Customs compliance — Good documentation helps you qualify for duty/VAT exemptions.
  • Timing — Avoid costly storage and delays by syncing shipment and arrival dates.

French Customs Requirements for Personal Effects

When moving your permanent residence to France, you may qualify for duty-free and VAT-free importation of your used household goods.

You usually qualify for customs exemptions if:

  1. You lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months.
  2. Your goods have been owned and used for six months or more.
  3. Your belongings arrive in France within 12 months of your relocation.
  4. You agree not to sell the items within 12 months after import.

This can eliminate customs duty (around 10% on many goods) and the 20% French VAT — a significant savings.

Documents You Should Prepare

To clear customs smoothly, you typically need:

  • A detailed inventory in English and French, with values in euros.
  • A Certificate of Change of Residence from a French consulate.
  • A non-resale declaration confirming you won’t sell the imported items immediately.
  • Passport and visa/residence permit.
  • Bill of lading (for sea freight) or air waybill (for air freight).
  • Purchase receipts for newer items (less than six months old).

Customs clearance in France normally takes 3–4 business days once paperwork is complete.

Visa & Residency Requirements

Your immigration status is tied to how you import your belongings.

  • Most long-term movers will need a long-stay visa or residence permit.
  • The Certificate of Change of Residence supports both customs exemption and immigration requirements.
  • For employer-sponsored moves, you may also need a company transfer letter confirming your relocation.

Shipping Options: Sea Freight vs. Air Freight

Sea Freight (Most common)

  • Best for furniture and full household shipments
  • Affordable, with options for full containers or shared containers
  • Transit time: typically 4–8 weeks

Air Freight

  • Much faster
  • Best for small or urgent shipments
  • More expensive than sea freight

Other Key Logistics

  • Video surveys offered by companies like ClickMoves help estimate volume accurately.
  • Transit insurance is recommended to protect your goods.
  • Accurate packing and inventory help with both customs and insurance claims.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Shipping too early — If your goods arrive before you do, you may lose duty/VAT exemption.
  • Incomplete inventory — Missing or unclear information can cause customs delays.
  • Not declaring new items — Anything newer than six months may not qualify as “personal effects.”
  • Reselling items too soon — Selling within 12 months can trigger retroactive taxes.
  • Not comparing full quotes — Ask for all-inclusive pricing to avoid hidden fees.

Moving Company Reviews

Below are real positive customer reviews for ClickMoves and three additional well-rated movers, rewritten in natural language without copying exact wording.

cargo ship

⭐ ClickMoves — Highly Rated for Convenience, Communication & Value

Customers consistently highlight:

  • Fast and smooth service — Several reviewers mentioned how easy the packing, pickup, and shipping process was, even for long-distance moves.
  • Reliable and professional team — Many people praised ClickMoves staff (especially Matt) for being responsive, knowledgeable, and efficient.
  • Stress-free experience — Clients appreciated not having to measure every item and being guided through the entire process.
  • Fair pricing — Reviewers often commented that the cost was reasonable and the service clear and transparent.
  • Excellent updates — Customers said they were kept informed at every stage, making the move feel much more manageable.

⭐ Other Top-Rated Moving Companies (Three Positive Review Highlights)

1. Eurogroup International Movers

Customers mention:

  • Outstanding service from start to finish
  • Professional packing and unpacking crews
  • Clear communication throughout the move
  • Goods arriving safely and well-packaged
  • Friendly, helpful delivery teams

Eurogroup is often recommended for its high reliability and attention to detail.

2. Santa Fe Relocation

Positive feedback commonly includes:

  • Strong global network, making international moves smoother
  • Professional and knowledgeable staff
  • Well-coordinated door-to-door service
  • Good handling of complex, multi-country relocations

Santa Fe is often praised by expats who move frequently for work.

3. AGS Movers

Customers highlight:

  • Quick responses to inquiries
  • Polite, efficient packing teams
  • Careful delivery and assembly at destination
  • Consistently professional service across locations

AGS is well-regarded in Europe and known for dependable international relocation handling.

Final Tips for Choosing Your Mover

  • Get at least three quotes to compare price and services.
  • Ask about customs support — especially important for France.
  • Confirm the expected transit time for your route.
  • Check whether they offer insurance and what it covers.
  • Ask if they provide a video survey, which simplifies quoting.

Conclusion

Shipping your household goods from the U.S. to France doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right documents, an understanding of customs rules, and a reliable moving company, your relocation can be smooth and stress-free.

ClickMoves stands out for its transparent, modern approach with excellent customer feedback. Eurogroup, Santa Fe, and AGS are also strong, trusted options with proven track records.