Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From France to the United States

The economic and trade relationship between France and the United States is vibrant, with two of the world’s leading economies engaging in a diverse exchange of goods, services, and investments. France to the U.S. trade corridor is booming with diverse products and cultural exchanges, enriching both societies. 

In 2022, France shipped a total of $50 billion worth of exports to the United States. The main products are gas turbines, packaged medicaments, planes, helicopters, and spacecraft. This trade relationship has grown 4.14% annually in the last 27 years. 

If you need to ship goods from France to the United States, here’s your complete guide to the shipping process for this trade corridor and your options for ocean and air freight shipping. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From France to the United States?

To ship freight from France to the United States, you can choose between ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From France to the United States

Ocean freight is an economical way to ship goods from France to the United States. It’s also pretty flexible, accommodating almost any type of cargo. Moreso, ocean freight provides shippers with two container shipping methods: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for those with small shipments. Here, goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. That way, a shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, which is quite economical for small shipments. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more control over their shipment and guarantees the security of their goods. 

Air Freight from France to the United States

Air freight is the fastest but most expensive way to ship goods from France to the United States. Its cost, however, is worth it because of its speed and security. Stricter airport regulations guarantee security for high-value shipments. However, this also means that not all types of goods can be accommodated by air freight. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From France to the United States?

The cost of shipping cargo from France to the United States will depend on several factors. These include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from France to the US in the table below:

How long does it take to ship cargo from France to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from France to the United States depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from France to the United States?

It takes 15 to 50 days for goods to arrive in the United States from France by ocean freight.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from France to the United States?

Air freight from France to the United States will take 2 to 8 days, depending on the season.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in France and the United States

Your goods must go through customs clearance when they arrive at an airport or port in the United States. This process can be a breeze, provided that you submit the following requirements: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a complete document list you can look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean freight and air freight, consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal for you if you value cost-efficiency and flexibility. You can ship any type of goods by sea without worrying about straining your budget too much. When choosing ocean freight, you must also decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the best mode of ocean freight shipping for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You may be better off choosing FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If you prioritize getting your goods to the United States fast, you should choose air freight. Only taking a little over a week to complete, air freight is best for perishable and time-sensitive shipments. It’s also good if you’re shipping high-value goods because of its stricter security protocols that can help protect your cargo.

Before going with air freight, you should know that it is also the most expensive shipping option. It cannot accommodate all types of cargo, so do your research before selecting this mode of shipping. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in France

Le Havre Port

The Le Havre Port is the second-largest port in France and the nation’s first container port. It’s located on the northern coast of France and has railroad connections that provide access to and from European locations. 

Fos Sur-Mer Port 

The Fos Sur-Mer Port is located on the Golfe de Fos, 40 kilometers northeast of Marseille. It is a good port for shippers coming from Marseille, Avignon, Montpelier, and other areas in Southern France. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Savannah 

The Port of Savannah is located on the Savannah River. It houses the largest container terminal in North America and is one of the United States’ fastest-growing ports. It provides convenient access to the U.S.’ interstate highways. 

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle has one of the largest container terminals on the West Coast. It is currently under development to create berths to accommodate larger vessels. The port is ideal for importers in the Northwest U.S. 

Port of Everglades

The Port of Everglades is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is the tenth busiest container seaport in the US, with more than 20 container shipping lines operating nearby. The port provides direct access to Florida’s interstate network. 

Air Freight from France to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in France

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

The Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest international airport in France. It’s the twelfth busiest airport in the world in terms of cargo traffic and the second busiest in Europe. The airport, located in Roissy-en-France, spans 32 square kilometers. 

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

The Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport serves Lyon, France's third-biggest city. It is located 20 kilometers from the city center, close to the Lyon-Part-Dieu Business District. The airport is an important transport hub for the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Marseille Provence Airport

The Marseille Provence Airport is the third largest air freight hub in France. It is located 27 kilometers northwest of central Marseille. It’s the airport of choice for shippers moving goods coming from southern France. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport has the highest cargo volume entering the U.S. and is the nation’s sixth busiest airport. Covering 21 square kilometers, the airport is located in the Queens district, 26 kilometers southeast of Manhattan. 

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the fifteenth busiest airport in the world in terms of cargo traffic. It has the biggest international freight volume among all airports in the U.S. The airport features dedicated freighter services to 112 global destinations. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located 11 kilometers south of downtown Atlanta. It serves as an international gateway to the U.S.’ southern states. The airport boasts extensive refrigeration and freezer units for cargo.