VerifiedGet matched with vetted international mover We match you with only accredited partner for your route: fewer calls, less stress, and a clearer quote.
France removal costs have five main variables. Distance is the most visible one, but access usually has more impact on the final price than the route.
London to Paris is about 290 miles. London to Nice is about 1,050 miles. Bordeaux is about 750 miles. More distance means more fuel, more driver time and potentially an overnight stop.
Priced in cubic metres. A studio flat is about 8 to 15 cbm. A two-bedroom home is about 20 to 35 cbm. A four-bedroom home is about 45 to 65 cbm. More volume means a larger vehicle or more lorry space.
A part load (shared lorry) costs less than a dedicated vehicle. Part loads take 7 to 14 days. A dedicated vehicle reaches Paris in 1 to 2 days from London. The right choice depends on volume and date flexibility.
Lifts, stairs, parking restrictions, narrow lanes, long driveways and building entry rules all add time and cost. A Paris flat without a suitable lift often costs more than a larger house with easy access in Normandy.
Professional packing, specialist crating for antiques, mattress bags, wardrobe cartons and fragile item handling all add to cost. Owner packing reduces cost but affects insurance cover terms.
Peak season (June to September) and fixed dates cost more than off-peak or flexible windows. A 2 to 3 week window for a part load can reduce cost significantly compared to booking a fixed date.
Both directions use the same Channel crossings and similar road distances. Costs are roughly comparable. The difference is which country's customs apply and which port suits the route best.
French customs (Douane) apply on arrival. Franchise des droits relief may reduce duty.
| French area | Part load | Dedicated* |
|---|---|---|
| Northern France | £350 to £1,200 | £700 to £1,150 |
| Paris / Île-de-France | £400 to £1,400 | £750 to £1,300 |
| Bordeaux / Lyon | £600 to £1,700 | £900 to £1,600 |
| Marseille / Nice | £750 to £2,100 | £1,000 to £1,800 |
*Dedicated prices shown for smaller loads. Full home moves above.
UK customs (HMRC) apply on arrival. ToR1 Transfer of Residence relief may reduce duty.
| French area | Part load | Dedicated* |
|---|---|---|
| Northern France | £350 to £1,200 | £700 to £1,200 |
| Paris / Île-de-France | £400 to £1,400 | £800 to £1,400 |
| Bordeaux / Lyon | £600 to £1,700 | £950 to £1,700 |
| Nice / Marseille | £750 to £2,100 | £1,050 to £1,900 |
*Dedicated prices shown for smaller loads. Full home moves above.
All prices are rough planning guides only. Part load range covers 1 to 30 cubic metres. Dedicated range covers small loads (studio to 1-bed). Full home dedicated vehicle prices are in the property size section below.
Property size gives a rough volume estimate. The actual volume depends on how full the property is, whether large items are being taken and packing density. These figures assume a standard UK to Paris route for a dedicated vehicle.
8 to 15 cubic metres
Paris: £800 to £1,800
Nice / Riviera: £1,200 to £2,500
Part load option available from £350 to £900 with a flexible date.
20 to 35 cubic metres
Paris: £1,800 to £3,200
Nice / Riviera: £2,500 to £4,500
Most common move size. Part load available with 2 to 3 week window.
35 to 45 cubic metres
Paris: £2,800 to £4,500
Nice / Riviera: £3,800 to £6,000
Typically a dedicated vehicle. Part load feasible for flexible moves.
45 to 65 cubic metres
Paris: £4,000 to £6,500
Nice / Riviera: £5,500 to £9,500
Dedicated vehicle required. Fixed collection and delivery dates available.
Cubic volume guide: a standard removal box is about 0.1 cubic metres. A sofa: 1 to 2 cbm. A double bed: 1.5 cbm. A wardrobe: 1.5 to 2.5 cbm. A dining table and four chairs: about 2 cbm.
A part load to France almost always costs less per cubic metre than a dedicated vehicle. The trade-off is transit time and date flexibility. For moves below 30 cubic metres with a flexible date, a part load is usually the better value choice.
Shared lorry space. Your goods travel with other France-bound shipments.
Transit: 7 to 14 days
Date flexibility: 1 to 3 week collection window needed
Best for: flexible date, under 30 cbm, cost-conscious moves
Sole use of the lorry. Direct from UK collection to French delivery.
Transit: 1 to 4 days (Paris: 1-2 days; Riviera: 3-4 days)
Date flexibility: fixed collection date available
Best for: fixed date, above 30 cbm, antiques, urgent moves
Narrow lanes, long driveways, no turning space. Adds about £150 to £400 depending on severity and vehicle size needed.
Large lorry access in central Paris requires a parking reservation or permit. Can add £100 to £250. Small lift access adds crew time.
Full professional packing service adds about £200 to £800 depending on volume. Produces a detailed customs inventory, which is required for French customs relief.
If the French property is not ready. Short-term storage adds about £30 to £80 per cubic metre per week depending on facility and location.
Custom crating, condition reports and specialist insurance for high-value or fragile pieces. Priced per item after inspection. Can add significantly to total cost.
Summer moves to France are in highest demand. Booking early and choosing off-peak dates (October to April) can reduce cost and improve availability.
Customs is one of the most misunderstood parts of France removal costs. The key point: the removal price includes shipment documentation. Import duty is a separate matter handled through the customs authority, not the removal company.
Commercial shipment docs: included in the quoted removal price.
Import duty: may apply to goods entering France from the UK since Brexit. Transfer of residence relief (franchise des droits à l'importation) may reduce or remove duty if you are transferring permanent residence to France and have lived outside France for at least 12 months.
The relief is free to apply for via douane.gouv.fr. It is not a fee you pay to the removal company.
Commercial shipment docs: included in the quoted removal price.
Import duty: may apply to goods entering Great Britain from France. Transfer of Residence relief (ToR1 form submitted to HMRC) may reduce or remove duty on personal belongings.
ToR1 is free to apply for via GOV.UK. Submit it before goods arrive in England. Check the current guidance at gov.uk before fixing your move date.
A good removal quote covers all of the below. Ask the partner mover to confirm each item is included or excluded before you accept the price.
Beds, wardrobes, flat-pack furniture and large tables often need dismantling and reassembly. Confirm whether this is included or charged per item.
Basic transit insurance may not cover full replacement value. Ask for the insurance level, the excess and what is excluded (e.g. owner-packed boxes).
Boxes, tape, bubble wrap and specialist packaging materials may be charged separately. Confirm the total packing cost upfront.
If the lorry cannot park close to the property, a long carry charge may apply. Confirm acceptable parking distance in advance.
If delivery is delayed or the French property is not ready, storage adds cost. Confirm the weekly storage rate and minimum period before booking.
If your French completion date moves, rescheduling fees may apply. Confirm the cancellation and rescheduling policy before paying a deposit.
Part loads to France start from about £350. A studio flat to Paris on a dedicated vehicle starts from about £800 to £1,800. A two-bedroom home to Paris starts from about £1,800 to £3,200. A two-bedroom home to Nice or the Riviera starts from about £2,500 to £4,500. All prices are planning guides. The partner mover confirms the actual price after a volume survey.
Northern France and Paris to England start from about £700 to £1,400 for smaller dedicated vehicle loads. Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse from about £950 to £1,700. Nice, Marseille and the Riviera from about £1,050 to £1,900 for smaller loads; full home moves from about £2,500 to £6,500. Part loads from France to England start from about £350.
A part load (groupage) is the cheapest option. Goods share lorry space with other France-bound shipments. Small loads start from about £350. The trade-off is transit time (7 to 14 days) and a 1 to 3 week flexible collection window. Booking off-peak (October to April) and decluttering before quoting also reduce cost.
Commercial shipment documentation is included in the quoted removal price. French import duty is separate. Transfer of residence relief (franchise des droits) from Douane may reduce or remove import duty if you qualify. The relief is free to apply for at douane.gouv.fr. It is not a fee paid to the removal company.
Yes. The Channel crossing (Channel Tunnel or ferry) is included in the quoted removal price. It is not charged separately. The Channel Tunnel crossing takes 35 minutes from Folkestone to Coquelles near Calais. Brittany Ferries are used for western and southern France routes.
Send the UK or French collection postcode, French or UK delivery postcode, a clear item inventory with rough cubic volume, floor level, lift size, parking details and preferred date. A video survey gives the most accurate price. International Removals Companies connects the enquiry with one FIDI-certified partner mover. The enquiry is free.
Send the collection postcode, French delivery postcode, property size or item list, access details and preferred date. One FIDI-certified partner mover confirms the actual price and French customs plan.
Get a France Removal QuoteFree. One FIDI-certified partner mover. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, operating since 2010.
International Removals Companies connects France removal cost 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.
All prices are planning guides. Actual prices, insurance, customs paperwork and transit times must be confirmed by the partner mover before booking.