Quick answer: UK to France international removals take 1 to 3 days by road. The Channel Tunnel crossing takes 35 minutes. Post-Brexit, T1 transit documents and French customs clearance are needed for all UK to France moves. A 2-bedroom home costs from about £2,200 to £3,800. Transfer of residence relief (franchise des droits) from Douane may reduce import duty if you're establishing permanent residence in France.
France is the closest continental European country to the UK. The Channel Tunnel crossing takes 35 minutes — the fastest international removal route in Europe. Removal companies and moving companies cover the UK to France route by Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, or by ferry (Dover-Calais, Portsmouth to Caen, Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, or Portsmouth to Cherbourg).
London to Paris is about 290 miles. London to Provence is about 1,000 miles. London to Brittany is about 450 miles. A dedicated removal lorry from the UK reaches Paris in 1 day, and southern France in 2 to 3 days. Part load overseas removals to France take 5 to 14 days.
Since Brexit (January 2021), all international removals from the UK to France need post-Brexit T1 transit documents and French customs clearance. Transfer of residence relief from French customs (Douane) may reduce import duty if you're moving primary residence to France.
International Removals Companies is a free enquiry matching service operated by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD (company 07425576). It does not carry out removals. It connects each France international removals enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified partner mover, who provides the quote and handles the move.
Free. One FIDI-certified partner mover. No obligation.
The crossing choice affects timeline, cost and which part of France the removal lorry reaches first. Removal companies select the best crossing based on your UK collection postcode and French delivery address.
The Eurotunnel takes 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais. It operates up to four departures per hour at peak times and is weather-proof. The driver stays in the vehicle. This is the best crossing for speed, flexibility and weather reliability. It works well for all of France but adds the most French road driving for Normandy and Brittany destinations.
Ferry routes can save significant road driving for specific French destinations. Portsmouth to Caen (6 hours, Brittany Ferries) arrives directly in Normandy. Portsmouth to Saint-Malo (11 hours overnight, Brittany Ferries) arrives in Brittany without the 500km drive from Calais. Dover to Calais (90 minutes, P&O, DFDS) is the most frequent and cheapest ferry.
Removal companies calculate both options when quoting. The ferry sometimes saves £100 or more compared to Eurotunnel. For western UK collections, Brittany Ferries routes often reduce total journey time significantly.
Since January 2021, the UK is a third country relative to France. All international removals from the UK to France now need customs procedures that didn't exist before Brexit.
The removal company creates a T1 transit document at the UK port of exit (Dover or Folkestone). This is an electronic customs declaration via the NCTS (New Computerised Transit System). It allows household goods to enter France and travel to the delivery address without immediate VAT or duty payment. The T1 must be formally closed at the French delivery address by a customs officer. Your removal company handles all of this.
If the T1 is not closed correctly, significant financial penalties can follow. Use a FIDI-certified removal company — they have documented T1 procedures and handle closure at the French destination.
Transfer of residence relief (franchise des droits à l'importation) may reduce or eliminate French import duty and TVA on your household goods. To qualify you need to be establishing permanent residence in France, have lived in the UK for 12 or more consecutive months before the move, and have owned and used the goods for 6 or more months. You also need French residency proof — a carte de séjour or titre de séjour.
Apply for transfer of residence relief via douane.gouv.fr before goods leave the UK. Check gov.uk/guidance/living-in-france for current UK government guidance on France residency.
Shipping household goods to France before you have your carte de séjour or titre de séjour means you can't qualify for transfer of residence relief. French customs (Douanes françaises) will then charge TVA (French VAT) at 20% on the assessed value of goods, plus customs duties of 0 to 12% depending on item classification.
Correct approach: Establish French residency status first, then ship goods within the 12-month window. Use UK storage while your French paperwork is processed if needed.
France is the largest EU country at 643,801 km². The delivery region affects both transit time and the best crossing choice. Here are the main regions for UK buyers and expats.
Distance from Calais: 300km Transit: 1–2 days
Route: Calais → A26/A1 autoroute → Paris. Eurotunnel is the most efficient crossing.
Delivery challenges:
Distance from Calais: 1,100km Transit: 2–3 days
Route: Calais → A26 → A6 → A7 (Autoroute du Soleil) south.
Regional factors:
Via Saint-Malo: 50–150km Transit: 1–2 days
Best crossing: Portsmouth to Saint-Malo overnight — arrives directly in Brittany and saves 500km of French road versus Calais.
Key points:
Distance from Calais: 200–350km Transit: 1–2 days
Best crossing: Portsmouth to Caen (6 hours, Brittany Ferries) — arrives direct to Calvados, saves driving through northern France.
Distance from Calais: 800–900km Transit: 2–3 days
Route: Channel Tunnel or ferry → A10 south → Périgueux, Bergerac, Bordeaux.
Distance from Calais: 500–600km Transit: 1–2 days
Route: Channel Tunnel → A10 south — direct to Orléans, Tours and the château belt.
These are rough planning guides. The removal company confirms the actual price after checking your volume, UK collection postcode, French delivery address and access. For a full regional cost breakdown, see France removals costs.
Boxes and smaller items. Flexible date.
From about £700 to £1,800
Part load transit 5–14 days.
8 to 15 cubic metres
From about £1,100 to £2,200
Dedicated vehicle. 1–3 days.
20 to 35 cubic metres
From about £2,200 to £3,800
Dedicated vehicle. 1–3 days.
35 to 55 cubic metres
From about £3,200 to £4,800
Priced after survey.
Post-Brexit, British citizens need a carte de séjour (or titre de séjour) to live in France for more than 90 days. This same document proves you qualify for transfer of residence customs relief.
For transfer of residence customs clearance you need an attestation sur l'honneur — a legally binding sworn statement declaring you've transferred permanent residence to France, goods have been in your possession for 6 or more months, and the goods are for personal use only. Your removal company provides the French template.
FIDI FAIM is the international quality standard for removal companies and moving companies. To be accredited, a removal company must pass an independent audit by Ernst and Young covering more than 200 quality and operational criteria, repeated every three years. It covers insurance levels, staff training, warehouse standards, T1 transit document handling, French customs procedures and complaint resolution.
For house removals, overseas removals and international moving to France, FIDI accreditation means the removal company has verified procedures for French customs clearance, documented T1 transit handling and a formal claims process. BAR Overseas Group membership provides additional UK consumer protection: if a BAR member fails, the association ensures the move is completed or deposits are refunded.
International Removals Companies connects each France international removals enquiry with one FIDI-certified partner mover free. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, has operated the service since November 2010. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.
Removal companies handling France international removals use the Channel Tunnel (35-minute crossing, Folkestone to Calais) or Brittany Ferries routes. International Removals Companies connects each France enquiry with one FIDI-certified removal company free. The company confirms the best crossing for your UK collection postcode, handles post-Brexit T1 transit documents and arranges French customs clearance. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD (company 07425576) has operated the service since November 2010.
International removals to France: part loads from about £700 to £1,800. A studio or 1-bedroom flat from about £1,100 to £2,200. A two-bedroom home from about £2,200 to £3,800. Southern France (Provence, Côte d'Azur) adds approximately £300 to £600 for longer driving distance and autoroute tolls. All are rough planning guides. The removal company confirms the actual price after checking your volume, UK collection postcode, French delivery address and access details.
A dedicated removal lorry from the UK to northern France (Paris, Normandy, Brittany) takes 1 to 2 days. Central France (Loire Valley, Burgundy) takes 2 days. Southern France (Provence, Côte d'Azur) takes 2 to 3 days. The Channel Tunnel crossing takes 35 minutes. Dover-Calais ferry takes 90 minutes. Part load shared services take 5 to 14 days depending on destination. Using Brittany Ferries to Caen, Saint-Malo or Cherbourg saves 2 to 4 hours of French road driving for northern and western France destinations.
Since Brexit (January 2021), all international removals from the UK to France need post-Brexit customs documentation. The removal company creates a T1 transit document at the UK port of exit. Transfer of residence relief (franchise des droits) from French Douane may reduce or eliminate import duty if you're establishing permanent residence in France. You need a carte de séjour or titre de séjour to qualify. Apply via douane.gouv.fr before goods leave the UK. Check gov.uk/guidance/living-in-france for current UK government guidance.
Send your UK collection postcode, French delivery address, approximate inventory, access details and preferred date. One FIDI-certified partner mover confirms the quote, Channel crossing plan and post-Brexit customs documentation.
Get a France Removal QuoteFree. One FIDI-certified partner mover. Call 07551 855 064. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, operating since 2010.
International Removals Companies connects France international removals enquiries with one suitable vetted partner mover. Partner movers hold FIDI FAIM, BAR Overseas, FEDEMAC and IAM accreditations where confirmed. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.
Prices, transit times, insurance cover and customs paperwork must be confirmed by the partner mover before booking. All information correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publication.