To send a package from Canada to France: pack it securely, weigh and measure it, write the full French address with the five-digit postal code and a phone number, fill in the customs declaration (description, quantity, value, country of origin), then compare international services for your parcel before buying the label. The recipient may owe VAT and duties on arrival unless you prepay them.
The steps, in order
- Pack in a rigid box, pad the contents and tape every seam.
- Weigh and measure the sealed parcel: the higher of actual or dimensional weight is billed.
- Prepare the recipient’s address and your own (details below).
- Fill in the customs declaration, item by item.
- Compare the services that serve the Canada-France lane, then buy and print the label and customs documents.
- Drop the parcel off or book a pickup where offered, and keep the tracking number.
The address in France
A French address reads: recipient’s name, street number and name, any extra line (building, floor, apartment), then the five-digit postal code followed by the city. The postal code sets the zone, and therefore the price and the services available: double-check it.
Add a phone number and, if possible, an email for the recipient. International express services use them to announce the delivery and, where needed, to collect taxes before handing the parcel over.
The customs declaration
Every parcel leaving Canada for France must be declared. For each item, give a precise description ("wool sweater" rather than "clothing"), the quantity, the unit value, the country where the goods were made and, for a commercial shipment, the HS code. A vague description or an undervalued item is the most common reason a parcel is held at customs.
The exact document depends on the service: a postal customs declaration for a postal service, a commercial invoice for most express services. At the quote step, the MesColis form collects this information and sends it with the label.
| Item | Why | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Used to classify the goods | Material and use, not a generic word |
| Quantity and value | Basis for VAT and duty | The real price paid or replacement value |
| Country of origin | Where the goods were made | Not necessarily Canada |
| HS code | Precise tariff classification | Recommended for any commercial shipment |
| Type of shipment | Sale, gift, return, sample | Pick the real one |
VAT and duties on arrival
France is part of the European Union, so a parcel from Canada is treated as an import. As a general rule, French import VAT applies to goods that are sold, whatever their value, and customs duty may be added above a certain value threshold. Gifts between private individuals may qualify for an exemption, under conditions. The carrier may also charge a clearance fee.
By default, the recipient pays these amounts on delivery. If you sell to customers in France, a surprise bill at the door hurts the sale: where the option is offered for your lane, MesColis lets you prepay duties and taxes (DDP) when you buy the label.
EU tax rules, thresholds and carrier fees change. This guide is neither tax advice nor a price: confirm the rules with French customs (douane.gouv.fr) and the total price, taxes included, at the quote step for your parcel.
Choosing the carrier and service
On the Canada-France lane, MesColis quotes most often show international services from carriers such as UPS, FedEx and DHL, at different speeds; the exact offer depends on the parcel, the postal code and the day. An express service usually costs more but often includes customs clearance and detailed tracking; a slower service costs less and takes longer.
No carrier is the cheapest for every parcel. Compare the total price, including surcharges such as fuel, the expected date and how taxes are handled, for your specific parcel. You can get a quote without an account, then buy the label, add insurance and track the shipment in one place.
What to avoid sending
Some items are banned or restricted internationally: loose lithium batteries, flammable liquids, perfumes and aerosols, fresh food, alcohol, medication, and animal or plant products. The rules differ by carrier and by France. Check the chosen service’s list before you pack; a refused item can be returned at your expense.
Free MesColis account, no contract and no minimum volume: compare the services that serve the Canada-France lane before you buy the label.