Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to France
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/bordeaux-france/">Bordeaux</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/le-havre-france/">Le Havre</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/lyon-france/">Lyon</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/marseille-france/">Marseille</a>, and <a href="/shipping-to/paris-france/">Paris</a>. The rate starts at USD 2 per cubic foot to Bordeaux, and the carrier estimates 17–48 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
Moving to France. Used household goods can enter free of duty and VAT under the change-of-residence relief if they have been owned for six months and the owner lived outside the EU for at least twelve months. French customs asks for form Cerfa 10070 (declaration of personal goods), a dated and signed inventory and proof of your new address in France.
Commercial cargo is cleared by an importer with an EORI number.
Commercial cargo rates to France
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | USD 3 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 2 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 335.64 | USD 5 / cu ft 31 days · min. USD 441.60 |
| Le Havre | USD 3 / cu ft 17 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 2 / cu ft 17 days · min. USD 335.64 | USD 5 / cu ft 48 days · min. USD 441.60 |
| Marseille | USD 3 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 2 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 335.64 | USD 5 / cu ft 31 days · min. USD 441.60 |
| Paris | USD 3 / cu ft 19 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 2 / cu ft 19 days · min. USD 335.64 | USD 5 / cu ft 29 days · min. USD 441.60 |
| Lyon | USD 5 / cu ft 20 days · min. USD 579.81 | USD 5 / cu ft 20 days · min. USD 586.09 | USD 7 / cu ft 30 days · min. USD 635.86 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Montreal to Bordeaux
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 335.64
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 392.15
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 519.30
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in France.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Bordeaux
- From Toronto: USD 455.73, about 21 days
- From Montreal: USD 392.15, about 21 days
- From Vancouver: USD 582.88, about 31 days
Montreal is the least expensive gateway to Bordeaux, Toronto the fastest: 0 days quicker for USD 63.58 more. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in France
- Bordeaux: USD 392.15 from Montreal, about 21 days
- Le Havre: USD 392.15 from Montreal, about 17 days
- Marseille: USD 392.15 from Montreal, about 21 days
- Paris: USD 392.15 from Montreal, about 19 days
- Lyon: USD 582.88 from Toronto, about 20 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 190.73.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 335.64 to Bordeaux, against USD 335.64 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in France classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in France. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for France
- Commercial Invoice Required
- Personal Effects / Household Goods On Approval
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Paris Customs Clearance at Port of Entry
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to France.
Shipping to France by service
By city: Bordeaux, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Paris.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to France?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Montreal to Bordeaux costs about USD 392.15 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to France need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for France require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid October 1–31, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.