Removals to France from the UK: Costs & Customs 2026

Last updated: 23 October 2026

France is the UK’s closest removals destination, and one of the most popular. Most removals go by road, crossing the Channel by ferry or through the tunnel, so your furniture can arrive within days. Since Brexit, though, moving goods into France needs customs paperwork. This guide explains 2026 costs, how removals to France work, and how to avoid paying duty.

Full load, part load or shared van?

Option	Idéal pour	Typical timing	Remarques
Dedicated full load	2+ bedroom homes, fixed dates	1–4 days door to door	The lorry is yours, so dates are fixed
Part load (shared)	Smaller moves, flexible dates	1–3 weeks	Cheaper; your goods share a lorry on a scheduled run
Man and van (European)	A few items	2–7 days	Check insurance and customs experience
Self-move with a hire van	Small, budget moves	Your schedule	You handle the customs paperwork yourself

Cars loading onto a ro-ro ferry — Most UK–France removals cross by ferry or the Channel Tunnel.

Removals to France: typical costs in 2026

Destination area	2–3 bedroom house (full load)	Part load (about 200–400 cu ft)
Normandy, Brittany, Pas-de-Calais	£2,000–£3,500	£800–£1,500
Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Dordogne	£2,500–£4,000	£1,000–£1,800
Paris and Île-de-France	£2,500–£4,500	£1,000–£2,000
Provence, Côte d’Azur, Languedoc	£3,000–£5,000	£1,200–£2,200
French Alps	£3,000–£5,500	£1,200–£2,300

Indicative prices. Access matters: narrow village streets, mountain roads and properties without parking can mean a smaller shuttle vehicle and extra costs.

Customs after Brexit

Moving household goods from Great Britain to France is now an import from outside the EU. In practice:

Change of residence relief. If you are moving your main home to France, your used personal belongings can usually enter free of duty and VAT.
Paperwork: expect an inventory of your goods, proof of your new French address, proof of your UK residence, your passport and, usually, your French visa or residence permit. Your remover’s customs agent files the declarations.
Second homes: relief can also apply to furnishing a second home in France, with conditions. Check with your remover first.
Restricted items: alcohol and tobacco beyond allowances, plants, meat and dairy, and weapons.

A good French removals company handles customs for you. Always ask whether customs clearance is included in the quote.

Panorama aérien de la mer au coucher du soleil — Removals to the south of France take longer and cost more than to Normandy or Brittany.

How long do removals to France take?

Full load: usually 1–4 days from collection to delivery, depending on distance
Part load: usually 1–3 weeks, depending on the next scheduled run
Book ahead: 4–8 weeks, especially in summer

Tips for a smooth move

Get three quotes from companies that do regular UK–France runs.
Check the access at your French property: lane width, overhanging trees and parking.
Ask about storage if your French purchase completes later than your UK sale.
Insure your goods for the full replacement value.
Declutter, because a part load is far cheaper than a full lorry.

Read our moving to France from the UK guide for visas, healthcare and residency, and our Guide du déménagement international for more on how removals work.

Foire aux questions

How much do removals to France cost from the UK?

A 2–3 bedroom house typically costs £2,000–£5,000 for a full load, depending on the region. Part loads start from around £800.

Do I pay import duty on my furniture when moving to France?

Usually not, if you qualify for change of residence relief and provide the right paperwork.

How long does a removal to France take?

A dedicated full load usually takes 1–4 days. A part load can take 1–3 weeks.

What is a part load removal?

Your goods share a lorry with other customers’ on a scheduled run, which reduces the cost.

Can I move to France without a removals company?

Yes, with a hire van, but you must handle the customs paperwork and ferry booking yourself.

Prefer the scenic route?

Ask us about sea voyages and freighter travel from the UK to Europe and beyond.

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Steve Joury

Conseiller en voyages Cargo chez Cargoholidays

Passionné par le voyage lent et la mer. Steve connaît la plupart des routes maritimes et des procédures pour découvrir notre beau monde depuis la mer sur un porte-conteneurs. Il a participé à la plupart des voyages, de 7 jours en cargo à 140 jours à bord.

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