Shipping from Thailand to France: Cost, Customs, VAT & Door-to-Door Delivery

Key Takeaways

Shipping from Thailand to France can be arranged by Door-to-Door parcel service, express air, Air Freight or Sea Freight depending on shipment weight, dimensions, urgency and cargo type.
SCIC Group currently lists approximately 6–8 days to Europe, rates starting from THB 343/kg and destination taxes included under the stated Door-to-Door service conditions. Actual French delivery time and cost require a shipment-specific quote.
France is part of the European Union, so imports from Thailand must be assessed under EU customs rules together with the applicable French VAT rate and product regulations.
For an accurate quotation, provide the exact product description, carton count, actual weight, package dimensions, declared value and full French destination postcode.

How do you ship from Thailand to France?

Goods can be shipped from Thailand to France by Door-to-Door parcel service, express air, Air Freight or Sea Freight. Air services are generally suitable for parcels and urgent cargo, while Sea Freight should be considered for heavy or high-volume shipments. EU customs, French VAT, product restrictions and final delivery should be checked before booking.

The most accurate shipping process starts with the actual shipment data rather than a generic rate per kilogram.

Prepare:

Detailed product description
Quantity
Carton or pallet count
Actual weight per package
External packed dimensions
Declared or commercial value
Country of origin
Destination city and full French postcode
Personal or commercial shipment status
Required delivery date where applicable

Does SCIC Group ship from Thailand to France?

SCIC Group lists France among its European destinations and provides both Door-to-Door parcel logistics and cargo solutions.

Its current Thailand-to-Europe parcel-service information includes:

Air transportation
Approximately 6–8 days to Europe
Door-to-Door delivery
Tracking
Destination taxes included under the stated service conditions
Rates starting from THB 343/kg
Up to 200 kg per destination under the advertised service

See SCIC Group Thailand-to-Europe Door-to-Door Shipping.

The advertised rate and transit time are service-level references rather than fixed guarantees for every shipment to France.

How long does shipping from Thailand to France take?

SCIC Group currently lists approximately 6–8 days for its Europe Door-to-Door service.

Actual delivery can vary according to:

Pickup date
Warehouse cut-off
Flight schedules
Origin processing
EU and French customs clearance
Product type
Documentation
Destination postcode
Final-mile delivery
Peak periods and public holidays

Where delivery timing is commercially important, request a shipment-specific Door-to-Door transit estimate.

Which shipping method should you use?

Method	Best For	Main Benefit	Main Consideration
Door-to-Door Parcel	Individuals / online sellers	Simple integrated service	Service scope
Express Courier	Urgent parcels	Speed	Chargeable weight
Air Freight	Commercial cargo	Fast and scalable	Origin/destination charges
Sea Freight LCL	Multiple pallets / several CBM	Shared-container economics	Longer lead time
Sea Freight FCL	Bulk commercial cargo	Strong economics at scale	Container utilisation

Can parcels be sent to France through postal services?

Yes. International postal services are another option for qualifying shipments.

Exact rates, delivery times, weight limits and tracking depend on the selected postal product and should be checked at the time of dispatch.

Postal customs information normally needs to identify:

Detailed contents
Quantity
Weight
Declared value
Origin
Sender and recipient details

The applicable customs declaration format should be confirmed with the selected postal operator.

Courier vs Door-to-Door Shipping

A courier is an integrated parcel-delivery network, while Door-to-Door describes a service scope running from origin pickup to final delivery.

Before comparing quotations, confirm whether the service includes:

Pickup
International transport
Customs clearance
Import tax and duty
Destination handling
Final delivery

How much does shipping from Thailand to France cost?

Thailand-to-France shipping cost depends on actual weight, carton dimensions, volumetric or chargeable weight, package count, cargo type, declared value, transport mode and the final French postcode. Physical weight alone is not sufficient for an accurate quotation.

Actual Weight

The physical weight of the shipment after final packing.

Volumetric Weight

A transportation weight calculated from package dimensions. The applicable formula and divisor can vary by carrier and service.

Chargeable Weight

The weight used for freight billing under the selected service rules.

An 8 kg physical parcel can therefore be billed at a higher weight where the package occupies significantly more transport space.

What information affects the quotation?

Factor	Why It Matters
Actual Weight	Physical weight bracket
Dimensions	Volumetric-weight calculation
Package Count	Handling and total shipment size
Product Type	Compliance and acceptance
Declared Value	Customs and VAT treatment
French Postcode	Final-delivery assessment

Are imports from Thailand taxed in France?

Goods entering France from Thailand are imports from outside the European Union and can be subject to import VAT, customs duty and customs-processing charges according to the transaction, product classification and value.

What is the French VAT rate?

Metropolitan France currently has several VAT rates, including:

20% standard rate
10% intermediate rate
5.5% reduced rate for qualifying categories
2.1% special rate in certain cases

The correct import VAT rate therefore depends on the product. Businesses should not automatically apply a 20% rate to every SKU.

Are goods worth €150 or less still duty-free in 2026?

The old blanket assumption is no longer correct for qualifying low-value e-commerce imports.

From 1 July 2026, the European Union abolished the former customs-duty exemption for qualifying low-value e-commerce imports up to €150 and introduced a temporary €3 customs duty per item until 1 July 2028.

Does every parcel under €150 pay €3?

No.

The temporary measure targets qualifying distance sales of imported goods to consumers.

French customs guidance distinguishes other flows, including:

Qualifying non-commercial C2C consignments worth €45 or less
B2B imports
Consignments whose intrinsic value exceeds €150

The transaction type therefore matters as much as the shipment value.

What about gifts sent from Thailand to France?

A genuine non-commercial private-to-private gift can qualify for relief where it:

Is occasional
Is intended for personal or family use
Is sent without payment by the recipient
Has an intrinsic value of no more than €45

A commercial order does not become a customs gift merely because “Gift” is written on the parcel.

Does IOSS still matter?

Yes. IOSS remains relevant to VAT administration for qualifying low-value distance sales.

However, sellers should distinguish:

VAT collection
IOSS
The temporary customs duty
Customs declaration requirements

Using IOSS does not automatically remove every other customs requirement.

Does a French commercial importer need an EORI?

The EORI system identifies economic operators dealing with customs authorities when importing or exporting goods outside the European Union.

For commercial cargo, confirm:

Who is the importer?
Does the importer have an appropriate EORI?
Who files the customs declaration?
What is the Commodity Code?
Who pays VAT and Customs Duty?
What Incoterm applies?

What should a Commercial Invoice include?

Seller / exporter
Buyer / importer
Invoice number and date
Detailed product description
Quantity
Unit value
Total value
Currency
Country of origin
Commodity or HS Code where appropriate
Incoterm

How should goods be described for customs?

Avoid: Clothes

Better: Men's Cotton T-shirts for Personal Use

Avoid: Food

Better: Packaged Dried Mango

Avoid: Parts

Better: Stainless Steel Replacement Parts for Industrial Machinery

French Customs assesses tariff classification according to the actual characteristics of the goods, so precise product information matters.

What can be shipped from Thailand to France?

Many ordinary products can be shipped where they comply with EU and French import rules and the selected carrier's acceptance policy.

Lower-risk categories can include:

Ordinary clothing
Books
Documents
General personal belongings
Certain household goods
General e-commerce merchandise

However, ingredients, materials, batteries, liquids, brands and commercial use can change the regulatory requirements of an individual product.

Can food be shipped from Thailand to France?

Some food can be shipped, but the actual ingredients and product classification must be reviewed.

For qualifying small non-commercial consignments sent from outside the EU to individuals in France, important restrictions apply to:

Meat
Meat products
Milk
Milk-based products

A product being dried, cooked or commercially packaged does not automatically override animal-product import controls.

Can fish and seafood be sent?

Fishery products follow a different framework from meat and dairy.

French customs guidance provides a 20 kg limit for qualifying non-commercial fishery-product consignments, subject to the relevant sanitary and country conditions.

Products such as dried fish, dried shrimp or squid should still be reviewed according to:

Actual commodity
Origin
Quantity
Packaging
Personal or commercial purpose

Are commercial food imports different?

Yes.

Commercial food can require sanitary, veterinary or phytosanitary controls depending on the commodity.

Businesses should review:

HS / CN classification
Ingredients
Animal-origin status
Health certification where applicable
EU border-control requirements
Food labelling
Importer compliance

Can plants, fruit and seeds be shipped?

Some plants and plant products entering the EU from third countries can require phytosanitary controls and certificates.

Do not assume that the rules for processed packaged food also apply to:

Live plants
Seeds
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Unprocessed plant material

Plant and agricultural products should be reviewed before booking.

Can medicines be shipped to France?

Medicines require additional caution.

French customs guidance states that imports of human and veterinary medicines are subject to authorisation frameworks administered by the relevant health authorities.

Provide:

Product name
Active ingredient
Quantity
Prescription status
Personal or commercial purpose
Supporting authorisation where required

before arranging the shipment.

Can cosmetics, perfume and liquids be shipped?

Import compliance and transport acceptance should be checked separately.

Products such as:

Perfume
Aerosols
Nail polish
Alcohol-containing cosmetics
Flammable liquids

may fall within Dangerous Goods transport requirements even where the product is not automatically prohibited from entering France.

Can power banks and batteries be shipped?

Battery shipments should be pre-checked, particularly where lithium batteries are involved.

Provide:

Battery chemistry
Capacity / Wh rating
Quantity
Whether installed in equipment
Packaging configuration
Product condition

What recipient information is needed in France?

For Door-to-Door delivery, provide:

Full recipient name
Company name where applicable
Building or house number
Street
Full French postcode
City
France
Telephone number
Email where required

“Paris, France” alone is not sufficient for precise final-delivery planning when the full address is available.

Thailand-to-France Quote Checklist

Exact product description
Personal or commercial shipment
Quantity
Carton or pallet count
Actual weight per package
External packed dimensions
Declared or commercial value
Country of origin
Commodity / HS Code if available
French city and full postcode
Recipient contact details
Food, cosmetic, liquid, battery or medicine status
Cargo-ready date
Required delivery date
Door-to-Door, Air or Sea preference

Example Parcel Quotation Request

Personal Parcel:

We need to ship two cartons of clothing and personal belongings from Bangkok to Paris, France. Each carton weighs approximately 12 kg and measures 55 × 40 × 35 cm. The total declared value is THB 18,000. There is no food, liquid or battery. A full French postcode is available. Please quote Door-to-Door delivery and confirm estimated transit time, tax, customs-clearance and final-delivery scope.

Commercial Shipment:

Our company needs to ship eight cartons of fashion products from Bangkok to Lyon, France. Total physical weight is approximately 120 kg. The goods are for commercial sale and a Commercial Invoice and HS Code are available. Please compare Door-to-Door parcel shipping and Air Freight, including chargeable weight, customs scope, transit time and destination charges.

Common reasons shipments to France are delayed

Missing destination postcode
Vague descriptions such as “Gift” or “Food”
Missing package dimensions
Incorrect declared value
Food without ingredient information
Undeclared batteries, perfume or liquids
Applying the €45 gift relief to a commercial sale
Assuming every shipment below €150 follows the same €3 rule
Missing EORI planning for commercial imports
Comparing freight prices without destination charges

How can businesses reduce Thailand-to-France shipping costs?

Optimise packaging dimensions
Reduce unnecessary volumetric weight
Consolidate shipments where practical
Schedule regular shipments instead of many small dispatches
Compare courier and Air Freight as volume grows
Compare Sea Freight for palletised or multi-CBM cargo
Pre-check regulated goods before final packing

How can SCIC Group support shipping to France?

SCIC Group provides Thailand-to-Europe logistics ranging from Door-to-Door parcels to commercial cargo solutions, allowing shipments to be assessed according to weight, volume, commodity and the actual French destination.

For parcels, see SCIC Group Thailand-to-Europe Door-to-Door Shipping.

For commercial cargo, see SCIC Group Thailand-to-UK & Europe Cargo Services.

For broader regional guidance, see SCIC Group's Thailand-to-Europe Shipping Guide.

Conclusion: What is the best way to ship from Thailand to France?

The right Thailand-to-France shipping method depends on cargo weight, dimensions, urgency and product type. Prepare the shipment details and full French postcode, compare Door-to-Door, Air or Sea options, and verify EU customs, French VAT and product restrictions before booking.

For shipments in 2026, businesses and online sellers should also use the current low-value customs rules rather than relying on the former blanket €150 duty-free assumption.

For an accurate quotation, provide SCIC Group with the product description, carton count, actual weight, package dimensions, declared value and full French postcode.

FAQ: Shipping from Thailand to France

1. How long does shipping from Thailand to France take?

Answer: SCIC Group currently lists approximately 6–8 days for its Thailand-to-Europe Door-to-Door service. Actual delivery depends on flight schedules, customs clearance, cargo type, documentation and the final French postcode, so a shipment-specific estimate should be requested before booking.

2. Is Thailand-to-France shipping charged only by actual weight?

Answer: No. Courier and air-shipping costs can depend on actual weight, volumetric or chargeable weight, package dimensions, carton count, product type, service level and destination postcode. Measure the final packed cartons before requesting a quote.

3. Are imports worth €150 or less still customs-duty-free in France?

Answer: Not as a blanket rule. From 1 July 2026, qualifying low-value B2C distance sales became subject to the EU temporary €3 customs duty per item. Non-commercial C2C gifts and B2B imports follow different customs rules, so the transaction type must be identified first.

4. Can food be shipped from Thailand to France?

Answer: Some foods can be shipped, but meat, meat products, milk and milk-based products are subject to strict restrictions for qualifying non-commercial consignments from outside the EU. Fishery products and other foods follow different conditions, so the actual ingredients should be reviewed.

5. What information is needed for a Thailand-to-France shipping quote?

Answer: Provide the exact product description, carton count, actual weight, package dimensions, declared value, country of origin and full French postcode. Also disclose food, cosmetics, liquids, batteries, medicines and commercial goods before the quotation is prepared.

Contact

India Office:

SCIC TRADEX INDIA PVT., LTD.
Ground floor, E-44/3, OkhlaPhase-ll, Delhi 110020, India 110020
Tel: +91 9319510127
Email: scictradex.india@gmail.com

Bangkok, Thailand Office:

SCIC THAILAND CO., LTD.
PNS BUILDING, 747 Ratchadanivate Prachauthit Road, Samsennok Huaikwang, Bangkok10310
Tel: +66638602304
Email: scic.thailand@gmail.com