International Move from France: What You Need to Know
Customs, certifications, timelines, insurance — the operating manual for moving from France to anywhere in the world.
By Valeriu Sirbu · Updated 4 June 2026 · 4 min read
An international move is not a bigger version of a domestic move. It's a different category. Customs declarations, sea or air freight logistics, certified handling standards — none of these exist on a Paris-to-Lyon move.
Documentation you'll need
The documentary stack for an international move from France is heavier than most clients expect.
- Detailed inventory in two languages (French + destination country language). Every item, every cubic meter, often with declared value.
- Customs declaration — varies by destination. UK uses ToR1 (Transfer of Residence relief) post-Brexit, USA uses CBP Form 3299, Singapore uses the IRA system.
- Proof of residence change — work contract, visa, lease, or property purchase at destination.
- Passport and visa copies.
- Insurance declaration with the declared value of your shipment (ad valorem).
Why FIDI / FAIM certification matters
For international moves, the gold standard certification is FIDI/FAIM (Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux / FIDI Accredited International Movers). It's the only global certification that audits an international mover on:
- Quality of packing standards,
- Customs handling capability,
- Insurance coverage adequacy,
- Financial soundness,
- Conflict resolution and ethics.
FIDI/FAIM is independently audited every three years by EY. On Mon Meilleur Déménageur, our international partners are flagged for FIDI/FAIM status.
Sea freight vs air freight: cost and timing
Sea freight (container)
- Cost: lowest per cubic meter for large volumes.
- Timing: 4 to 12 weeks depending on destination and port congestion.
- Best for: full household moves (20 m³+), non-urgent timelines, intercontinental destinations.
- Container options: 20-foot (28–33 m³ usable) or 40-foot (60–67 m³ usable).
Air freight
- Cost: 4 to 6 times the per-cubic-meter price of sea freight.
- Timing: 5 to 15 days door to door.
- Best for: urgent moves, high-value or fragile items, small shipments under 5 m³.
Road freight (intra-European)
- Cost: comparable to long-distance domestic France.
- Timing: 5 to 10 days for most European destinations.
Typical timelines by destination
| Route | Mode | Door-to-door time |
|---|---|---|
| Paris → London | Road (truck + ferry) | 5 to 10 days |
| Paris → Berlin / Madrid / Rome | Road | 5 to 8 days |
| Paris → New York | Sea (40-ft container) | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Paris → Los Angeles | Sea + rail | 9 to 12 weeks |
| Paris → Singapore | Sea | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Paris → Dubai (UAE) | Sea | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Paris → Sydney | Sea | 10 to 14 weeks |
| Paris → Montreal | Sea | 7 to 9 weeks |
Customs duties and personal effects
The good news: most countries grant customs duty relief on used personal effects when you're relocating, provided you've owned the items for at least 6 to 12 months and you can prove residence change.
- United Kingdom (post-Brexit): Transfer of Residence relief (ToR1).
- United States: CBP Form 3299. Used personal effects owned 1+ year are duty-free.
- UAE: Generous personal effects allowance for residence visa holders.
- Singapore: GST-relief on used personal effects for incoming residents.
- Australia: Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPE) statement required.
A certified mover briefs you on the destination's specific rules.
Insurance: declared value and ad valorem
International shipping insurance works on a declared value model. You declare the total replacement value of your shipment, and you pay an ad valorem premium — typically 1% to 3% of declared value.
Two failure modes to avoid: underdeclaring to save on premium, and not declaring high-value items individually.
A FIDI/FAIM-certified mover explains this clearly before signature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an international move from France to the USA take?
A standard 40-foot container shipment from Paris to New York takes 8 to 10 weeks door to door, including customs clearance. Air freight cuts this to 5 to 15 days but at 4 to 6 times the cost per cubic meter.
What is FIDI/FAIM certification and why does it matter?
FIDI/FAIM is the international moving industry's leading independent certification, audited every three years by EY. It validates packing standards, customs handling, insurance adequacy, and financial soundness. For international moves, it's the strongest single signal of operational reliability.
Do I pay customs duties when moving my personal effects from France?
For most destinations (UK, USA, Canada, UAE, Singapore, Australia), used personal effects owned for 6 to 12 months before the move are duty-free under residence transfer schemes — but each country requires specific paperwork submitted before goods arrive.