French import rules in 2026
France applies EU rules to parcels from outside the EU. Import VAT, TVA, applies to every parcel at the standard 20% rate from the first euro. Since 1 July 2026, parcels worth up to €150 also pay a temporary flat EU customs duty of €3 per item, replacing the old duty exemption; it is planned to run until July 2028. Above €150, normal duty rates apply depending on the product.
| Parcel value | VAT (TVA) | Customs duty |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €150 | 20% from the first euro | €3 per item (since 1 July 2026) |
| Above €150 | 20% | Normal rate by product type |
Count 20% VAT plus €3 per item on small parcels to France.
IOSS lines and delivery in France
An IOSS line collects the VAT when you pay for shipping, so La Poste or the courier delivers without asking for payment. Check whether the line also collects the €3 duty upfront. On lines without IOSS, the carrier collects VAT and duty before delivery, usually with a handling fee. For the final leg, many economy lines hand parcels to La Poste or Colissimo; express lines use couriers such as DHL or UPS.
IOSS lines give a final price at checkout; non-IOSS lines add fees at the door.
What French buyers report
Agent reviews written by French buyers give a useful picture of real costs and times. Reviewers of BBDBuy, for example, report roughly €7 to €8 per kilo on a 9 kg parcel and about €10 per kilo on others, with deliveries in around 10 to 17 days. RizzitGO also has many French reviews praising its photos and shipping prices. These are individual reports, not quotes; prices change by line and weight. Compare lines in your own account, and use the shipping calculator to include VAT and the €3 duty.
Treat reported per-kilo prices as a benchmark, then check your own line prices.
Delivery times to Paris
Allow about a week for items to reach the warehouse and pass QC, then roughly one to two weeks on express or two to three weeks on economy lines. Customs and peak periods add delays. See the shipping time guide for each stage.
Two to four weeks door to door is a realistic plan for France.
Paying from France
Most agents, including Oopbuy, accept international cards and usually PayPal. If your card is in euros and the payment is processed in another currency, your bank may add a foreign-transaction fee, and PayPal payments are described as settling in US dollars. Compare the final amount on your statement with the checkout total for your first order. For a breakdown of payment options and refunds, see Oopbuy payment methods.
Check currency conversion on your first payment so later totals hold no surprises.
Safety tips for French buyers
- Check agent domains. Look-alike sites target French buyers; one, bbdbuy.fr, was flagged for phishing. See the BBDBuy page.
- Ignore fake parcel-fee texts. Only pay notices that match your agent's tracking number.
- Know the customs risk. French customs can seize goods that infringe trademarks; the money is usually lost.
Check domains and notices; scammers target French parcel buyers.
Getting started from Paris
Browse the finds above or on the Oopbuy spreadsheet, follow how to order from Oopbuy, and compare agents on the agent index, including BBDBuy and RizzitGO, which French buyers review often.
FAQ
What taxes apply to Oopbuy parcels to France?
20% VAT (TVA) on every parcel, and since 1 July 2026 a flat EU customs duty of €3 per item on parcels up to €150. Above €150, normal duty rates apply.
What does an IOSS line do?
It collects import VAT at checkout under the EU's IOSS scheme, so the parcel is delivered without VAT to pay at the door.
How much is shipping to France?
It depends on line and weight. French reviewers of some agents report roughly €7 to €10 per kilo on economy lines; check current line prices in your account.
How long does shipping to Paris take?
About a week to the warehouse, then roughly one to two weeks on express or two to three weeks on economy lines.
Which agents are popular with French buyers?
BBDBuy and RizzitGO have many French reviews, alongside the larger agents. Compare totals for your parcel.