Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to France

The United States and France share strong economic ties and a long-standing partnership. Two powerhouse nations have bred a robust economic relationship characterized by a dynamic exchange of goods, services, ideas, and culture. 

France is the United States’ third largest trading partner in the EU. In 2022, United States exports to France amounted to $41.4 billion, with the top commodities being petroleum gas, crude petroleum, and gas turbines. U.S. exports to France have increased at an annualized rate of 3.25% in the last two decades. 

If you need to ship goods from the United States to France, this article will cover everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options, the estimated shipment cost, transit times, customs clearance, and more. 

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

When shipping goods from the United States to France, you can use either ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to France

Ocean freight has two characteristics that make it popular among shippers: budget-friendly and flexible. It can ship almost any type of cargo you need to get to France without putting a strain on your budget. Ocean freight also offers shippers two options for container shipping. These are less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

Those with smaller shipments use LCL because it involves the consolidation process. Goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making LCL highly economical. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by those with larger shipments. Here, the shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. They get more space, control, and security for their shipment. While FCL might sound expensive, it can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized. 

Air Freight from the United States to France

Another way to ship goods from the United States to France is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, used by shippers for time-sensitive and perishable goods. Thanks to stricter airport regulations and processes, air freight is also quite secure, making it preferred by shippers of high-value commodities. 

Air freight, however, has two disadvantages. The first is the cost, which can quickly rack up and be more expensive than ocean freight. The second is that it limits what you can ship, along with its size, weight, and volume. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to France will depend on the following factors: 

• 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

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to France: 

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

The duration for shipping goods from the United States to France is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to France will take 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to France will take 2 to 8 business days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and France

When your goods arrive at a port or airport in France, they have to go through customs clearance. This should be a breeze as long as you have submitted the following paperwork: 

• 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

For examples of each customs clearance requirement, you can look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight is yours to make. So that you make the right decision, we’ve outlined some considerations for you below. 

Ocean Freight

If keeping within your budget is your priority, ocean freight might be the way to go. It’s significantly cheaper than air freight and even more flexible, accommodating any type of cargo you need to transport. 

When you choose ocean freight, you’ll also have to decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable 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 might consider FCL for your shipment 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 need to get your cargo from the United States to France fast, we recommend shipping by air. An air shipment takes 2-8 days to complete, making it perfect for time-sensitive and perishable goods. It’s also great if you have a high-value shipment, as more stringent airport rules and processes can guarantee cargo security. 

However, remember that air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with strict regulations about what you can and cannot ship by air. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port Freeport

Port Freeport is a small deepwater seaport on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Its home is Freeport, Texas. It’s the fastest-growing port in its region, with great access to the state’s railway systems. The port has both private and public facilities. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is located in South Carolina, U.S.. It handles various cargo types, from containers and vehicles to bulk cargo. The port has five public terminals that allow it to operate efficiently. It’s also popular for its commitment to sustainability. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland, located in the San Francisco Bay area in California, is home to the first container ship terminals in the United States. It is one of the busiest ports and an important gateway for goods bound for international locations. 

Cargo ports of arrival in France

Port of Dunkirk

The Port of Dunkirk is the 7th port of the North Europe Range. It is the leading port in France for imports of ore and coal. The port extends into the land area from Le Havre to Hamburg. It is a deep-water seaport with excellent nautical accessibility. 

Port of Le Havre & Rouen

The Port of Le Havre & Rouen is a historic port in France and the second largest river port in Europe. It accounts for 50% of French seaports handling wheat and barley and is the top cereal-exporting port in Western Europe. 

Port of Marseille

The Port of Marseille is the leading port in France. It plays a vital role in international trade, handling over 79 million tonnes of goods annually. The port can handle 10,000 ships and is developing 10,400 hectares. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the major international airport serving Chicago in the state of Illinois. It is 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district in the city and serves as a hub for United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and more. 

Indianapolis International Airport

The Indianapolis International Airport is located 7 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana. It is owned and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority and is a hub for FedEx Express, Republic Airways, ATA Airlines, and more. 

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is the major international airport serving the city of New York. It is the busiest of the seven airports that form part of the New York airport system and the busiest airport in the entire United States. 

Airports of arrival in France

Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport

The Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport of Paris CDG, is the main international airport that serves Paris, France. It is a hub for Air France, Air France Cargo, and FedEx Express. The airport handles over 2 million metric tonnes of goods per year. 

Paris-Orly Airport

The Paris-Orly Airport is one of the two international airports that serve Paris, the capital city of France. It is located partially in Orly and partially in Villenueve-le-Roi. The airport handles over 91,829 tonnes of goods per year. 

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

The Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is located 3.6 nautical miles west of Toulouse, Blagnac, in the Occitanie region of France. It is a hub for Air France, Volotea, EasyJet Europe, Air Méditerranée, Airbus Transport International S.N.C., and Aeris.