Are you moving to Paris from New York? If you are relocating from the Tri-state area to France, we provide door to door service and take care of your move.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We’d love to make your move to/from France as seamless and stress-free as possible.
We have a free estimate form that allows you to calculate the cost.
We have a lot of experience moving and relocating people to/from France and would love to assist you.
Moving to another country especially one such as France, where they speak a different language isn’t easy.
If you are doing international moving to France and looking for a moving company, NY International Shipping has compiled some tips on what to look for and what to ask for when comparing overseas moving companies.
Given the complexities of relocating from NY to France, an experienced overseas moving company like NY International Shipping be by your side every step of the process, allowing your family to focus on your needs and settling into your new home.
What to Expect when Moving to France
France, one of the fashion-hubs of the world known for their cinematography, selection of gourmet delights and fine wines, is certainly a desirable location to move overseas to.
When moving to France, NY International Shipping suggests you to stay mindful of the fact that although many metropolitan areas of France use both French and English, it is probably best to begin learning French to really be able to acclimate to the culture.
Perhaps one of the more major differences to note between American and French culture is that minimalism is a regularly practiced behavior. Everything from the volume of food eaten in one sitting to the total square footage that many French natives live in is smaller than what many of us are accustomed to in the United States.
For this reason, NY International Shipping suggests that you consider downsizing prior to moving to France. Though you may wish to keep family keepsakes and valuable pieces of art, it is probably best if you consider purchasing new furniture once you are done moving to France as your old furniture may not fit in your new home and this will decrease the total volume of your shipment!
The currency in France is the Euro, so you will need to convert your money to their currency during immigration. Also important to keep in mind is that you will need to apply for a visa when moving to France. There are several different types of visas. Contact the French Consulate in your area to determine which visa you should apply for, how to apply and how long prior to move to France you should begin.
Major Ports: Le Havre/ Marseille
Shipping Prohibited Substances to France:
* Narcotics
* Drugs
* Explosives
* Arms
* Pornography
* Live Plants
* Ivory
Container Restrictions to France: None
Shipping Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to France:
Required Documents: Separate, designated inventory of alcoholic beverages. May possibly need an import license or state liquor license.
Customs Regulations:
Tobacco products are allowed, but subject to duty or tax.
A reasonable quantity of wine and hard liquors may be brought in duty-free, if it can be considered ‘restants de cave’ (remainder of wine-cellar). The reasonable limit is considered 50 bottles, of which no more than 15 can be over 22% alcohol (about 44 U.S. proof). They must appear on the inventory with corresponding values.
Clearance: 4 to 5 days. Customer presence is not required for clearance.
Remarks: It is suggested that you contact a French agent prior to shipping.
Firearms and Weapons:
Required Documents: Proof of ownership in the forms of various registration certificates and licenses are to be obtained prior to arrival depending on the type of firearms/weapons
Customs Regulations: Very strict regulations of import—some weapons are prohibited
Clearance: 4 to 5 days once licenses are obtained (which takes 1 to 2 months). Customer presence may be required for clearance.
Remarks: Check with us prior to shipping any firearms. Do not ship within household goods container. We suggest bringing them along with you as checked baggage on your flight. Arms may be impounded pending issuance of a license.
Shipping Household Goods and Personal Effects to France:
Required Documents:
* 3 Inventories in French with values expressed in French francs dated and signed by the importer, listing all electrical items separately and legalized by a local authority work or residence permit
* Documentary evidence of residence, either present or planned, is required.
* A statement from the Town Hall, a certificate from an employer or a residence permit may be used.
* Declaration of ‘engagement de non cession’ (change of residency) for the customer’s origin may be supplied and signed in France.
Customs Regulations: Used household goods are duty-free if they have been in the shipper’s possession and been used for at least 6 months. They must be intended for the shipper’s continued use and the shipper’s residence in France must become his/her principal residence.
Clearance: 5 to 6 days for free entry. If duties are due, authorization must be obtained from French customs prior to arrival (takes one month to obtain). Customer presence is not required for clearance.
Remarks: If a customer is importing goods for a secondary residency, the customer should contact us prior to shipping as procedures differ and citizenship is important.
Shipping Cars to France:
Required Documents: All vehicles should be mentioned on the inventory of household goods with their registration numbers. You must also have a registration card, proof of ownership, and an insurance certificate from a French insurer.
Customs Regulations: Vehicle should have been owned for more than 6 months prior to your move overseas.
Clearance: 4 to 5 days. Customer presence is not required for clearance.
Remarks: Check in advance with your destination agent. Almost any vehicle may enter through French customs, but some makes are almost impossible to register with highway authorities.
Electricity in France
Voltage 230 V
Type E French 2-pin plugs
Type C European plugs may be found on some appliances
American Embassy in France
The embassy is located at 4 Avenue Gabriel right in the heart of Paris. The nearest Metro stop is Concorde.
There are also consulates located in Marseille and Strasbourg.
Other tips when moving to France:
1. Check to make sure any overseas moving companies you are considering are licensed as an NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) by the Federal Maritime Commission or FMC, licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and possess appropriately licensed and bonded warehouses.
2. Perform an apples-to-apples comparison of the rates of any prospective companies. This can be done by comparing international relocation rates from the overseas moving companies based on shipping the same volume of goods using the same exact shipping service on the same dates and from and to the same destinations. This will give you an accurate idea as to how they compare side by side.
3. Check each overseas moving company’s referrals and reputation. Ask each company for referrals from past clients—any reputable overseas moving company should have some for your review. Also, check third-party review sites for reviews from previous clients on their experience and the company’s service.
4. Visit the actual office of any overseas moving company you are considering to see how they conduct themselves in the office. Never trust an international moving company without a physical office!
That being said, here are some of the main reasons you should consider NY International Shipping when moving to France:
*Honest, family-owned overseas moving business with over a decade of experience relocating customers worldwide
*All-inclusive shipping options for overseas relocation (i.e. door-to-door, RO-RO, custom crates, etc.)
*Licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)
*FREE consultations with one of our relocation specialist to assist you in planning moving to France and choosing the right overseas moving services for you/your family
*We provide comprehensive quotes which detail every aspect of your move and the associated cost
*All relocation professionals are committed to providing first rate customer service
*Many referrals available to share from satisfied customers scattered across the globe
Worldwide network of skilled shipping agents allows us to move clients smoothly from and to any location worldwide
Related Articles