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Festive Period 2025
Cut-Off Times
Shipping to France from Australia is supported by strong bilateral trade, with total goods and services trade reaching $14.4 billion in 2024. Shipping between Australia and France is primarily handled via air freight for parcels and time-sensitive goods, and sea freight for larger, non-urgent shipments.
The core decision for senders is selecting the appropriate shipping mode and balancing cost against transit time. This guide covers transit times, cost benchmarks, customs requirements, and carrier options for shipping to France from Australia.
Book air freight or sea freight to France through Couriers & Freight and compare carrier rates in one place.
Get a Quote NowIf you want to compare international shipping options to France across multiple carriers in one place, Couriers & Freight provides live rate comparisons across DHL Express, FedEx, and UPS from a single dashboard.
Two shipping modes operate on the Australia to France corridor. International air freight is used for parcels, documents, and time-sensitive goods. Sea freight is used for larger shipments where cost per kilogram is the priority.
Use express air services for parcels under 10kg where delivery within one week is required. Use sea freight for shipments above 20kg where cost savings outweigh longer transit times.
Transit time estimates are based on Australia Post international delivery standards and DHL Express service guide. Transit times typically extend by 2 to 5 business days during December and the European summer due to increased network congestion.
Shipping costs on this route depend on weight, dimensions, and service level. Carriers calculate chargeable weight using the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight, which directly determines the final shipping cost.
Rates vary by fuel surcharges, dimensions, and service availability.
For small parcels under 2kg, express air is typically the only practical option due to limited economy services on this route. Larger shipments benefit from freight consolidation, which reduces the cost per kilogram.
For example, a 5kg box of clothing may be charged at 8 to 10kg if the package dimensions exceed standard carrier limits.
Volumetric weight is calculated from package dimensions and often exceeds actual weight for large, lightweight shipments, raising costs for items like clothing, foam products, or oversized boxes.
French customs clearance is a common source of delays due to VAT application, duty thresholds, and documentation requirements. Ensuring compliance before shipment reduces clearance issues and additional charges.
France applies a standard import VAT rate of 20% on goods entering from non-EU countries. VAT is calculated on the declared value of goods plus shipping and insurance. There is no minimum threshold for VAT exemption.
Goods valued at €150 or less are exempt from customs duties but still subject to VAT. Shipments above this value may incur duties depending on product classification.
Commercial shipments must include:
Australia Post shipments require CN23 declarations for applicable parcels. Personal shipments must include an itemised inventory with declared values.
Senders must verify restricted and prohibited goods directly with French customs (Douane). Restrictions apply to items such as food, plants, animal products, and controlled goods.
Several international carriers operate on this route, each suited to different shipment sizes and delivery requirements.
DHL Express provides international air courier services with fast transit times and full tracking.
It is best suited for urgent business shipments and time-sensitive deliveries requiring consistent transit times.
FedEx offers international priority and economy air services suitable for documents, parcels, and commercial freight.
It is best suited for mid-weight shipments and e-commerce deliveries requiring reliable transit and customs handling.
UPS provides international air services for parcels and freight shipments.
It is best suited for heavier commercial consignments and businesses with ongoing international shipping requirements.
Australia Post offers international postal services for individuals and small businesses.
It is suited for non-urgent personal parcels where lower cost is prioritised over delivery speed and tracking detail.
Couriers & Freight allows you to compare live shipping rates across DHL Express, FedEx, and UPS using a single platform. You can enter shipment details once, review available service options, book shipments, and track deliveries from one account. For additional context on European routes, check out our air freight services to Europe.
Compare live rates across DHL Express, FedEx, and UPS and book your shipment in minutes without managing multiple carrier accounts.
Get a quote to compare live rates and ship to France from Australia today.
Book air freight or sea freight to France through Couriers & Freight and compare carrier rates in one place.
Get a Quote Now
MHP
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$14
$15.50
$0
$15.50
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
MHP Large Item
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$62
$62
$60.10
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
Residential Pickup
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Reidential pick up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential pick up 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
$0
$9
$158.87
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery up to 29kgs
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9.00
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
--
$9
$158.57
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$70
$70
$70
$14.75
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5.40
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85
No Surcharge*
$17
$20
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20
No Surcharge*
$37
$40
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Pallet Surcharge
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Hand Unload Fee Carton
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$70
$70
$70
$47
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Western Australia Regional Surcharge
No Surcharge*
%10
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed
**Prices correct of 16th September 2024
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