Road Freight Shipping to France

Fast and Affordable Road Freight Shipping Services France

France may be one of the UK’s closest continental locations for freight services, but shipping can be a minefield, especially with the addition of post-Brexit customs requirements.

  • Standard, Express, Next-Day Deliveries to France
  • Bespoke Size Solutions
  • Customs Clearance Support
  • Professional Experienced Team
  • Business-to-Business Deliveries
  • Shipping Services To & From France
  • Large & Small Consignments Delivered
Get a free France shipping quote today

International Freight to France

At Barrington Freight, we will help to ensure shipping is easy notwithstanding all of the regulatory changes that kicked in following the UK’s departure from the initial post-Brexit transitory period. Despite the deal that was struck between the UK and the European Union, road freight from France to Britain and vice versa now needs to be handled with the full customs regulations that are imposed on any third-party country.

This is because the UK is no longer part of the EU’s customs union as well as lying outside of its political sphere. Despite these arrangements for the passing of goods to and from continental Europe, much of which passes through France, we can ensure a seamless service from start to finish. This will mean complying with all of the Brexit customs requirements and regulations so that your consignments – whichever direction they are travelling in – are not unduly delayed.

Please note that our services mean that importers and exporters can operate both ways between France and the UK. Whether you intend on moving business freight and cargo via pallets, containerised road haulage or bespoke packages of various sizes and weights, we are here to ensure that the likelihood of any potential hold-ups at the border is minimised.

To get started simply give us a call 01268 525 444 or request an online shipping quote.

Find out shipping to France cost
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WHY SHIP TO FRANCE FROM THE UK WITH BARRINGTON?
  • Full load and groupage shipping.
  • Dedicated van courier to France option.
  • We maintain 24/7 contact with every vehicle, so you can always track your shipment and get regular updates.
  • BIFA membership and full liability insurance ensure safe and professional transport.
  • Commitment to excellent customer service, supported by glowing testimonials.
  • Help with custom clearance from the UK into France.
  • We can help shipping to France from UK and shipping to UK from France.
  • You will need an EORI number when shipping to France.

Get A Free Shipping Quote Online

Shipping to France from the UK

As experts in B2B shipping from the UK to all locations in France – and to other global destinations, too – we are able to have your goods collected from wherever you might need them to be picked up. If you have a production facility in Falkirk, for example, then we can send a suitably sized lorry to it ready for onward delivery to Montpellier, Toulouse or Lyon. Likewise, when shipping to France from Northern Ireland, we will arrange transit across the Irish Sea, ready for your consignment to be driven to the South Coast, entering France through Calais, Dunkirk, Cherbourg or Le Havre.

Our French freight forwarding service is ideal for commercial wholesalers as well as manufacturing businesses. For instance, if you have a warehouse in the Midlands, we can arrange for the collection of your goods for orders placed by customers in Rouen, Nice or La Rochelle to be on the road swiftly. Thanks to our extensive network of skilled HGV drivers, shipping to France becomes quicker, simpler and more reliable. Please note that we also handle smaller business consignments, as well. So, even if you have just a single pallet to ship to France, it is worth speaking to our operations team today.

Get a free France delivery quote today

Road Freight Vehicles For Deliveries to France

  • Euroliner lorry
  • HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle)
  • Roll-on/roll-off vans
  • Commercial vehicles
  • Double-crewed vans
  • 7.5 tonners
  • Sprinter vans
  • Luton vans
  • Tail lift vehicles
  • 18-tonne vans

We can source vehicles of any size that you need for your shipment to France.

Shipping Times To France From UK

How Long Does It Take to Ship to France?

Standard Road Freight to France 2 - 5 Days

Our full load transit times for shipping to France from the UK are 2 to 5 days. When you have a big load that requires a Euroliner lorry or another type of HGV, we can still offer the same great value without compromising on lead times. For even more attractive rates, why not consider a groupage shipment? Depending on the destination, groupage shipping from France to the UK or vice versa typically takes just 3 to 5 days with our standard road haulage service.

Our France road freight forwarding solutions streamline shipping to France, offering fast and secure delivery for all cargo types. From courier services to groupage shipping, we’re dedicated to efficient UK to France logistics, handling everything from parcels to large freight effortlessly. Our focus on economical groupage options combines cost savings with speed, ensuring timely arrivals. Trust us for expertly managed shipping that meets your needs with precision.

Express Shipping to France 1 - 2 Days

For urgent consignments, our express shipping service from the UK to France guarantees delivery within a mere 1 to 2 days. Catering to clients who prefer not to consolidate their valuable cargo, whether due to security concerns or the delicate nature of their goods, we provide dedicated vehicles accompanied by professional crews for secure, door-to-door transport.

To further expedite delivery and ensure continuity during transit, we deploy double-crewed vans, 7.5-tonne vehicles, and Euroliners, all designed to keep moving even when regulations call for single-crewed vehicles to take mandatory breaks. This commitment to swift movement ensures that your critical items—be it ship’s spares, marketing materials, or high-value designer goods—arrive at their French destination promptly and in impeccable condition.

Next-Day Road Freight to France 24 Hours

Barrington Freight specialises in next-day delivery to France from the UK, recognising the critical importance of fast and efficient cargo transportation. Unlike standard deliveries, we utilise smaller vehicles for better access and mobility across France, ensuring swift collection and dispatch. Our extensive experience in international road freight forwarding positions France as a top destination for our road haulage services. Goods can be collected within hours and promptly delivered the following day, highlighting our commitment to speedy and reliable service.

Our fleet, including dedicated sprinter, Luton vans, tail lift vehicles, as well as 7.5-tonne and 18-tonne vans, is specifically geared towards express deliveries not just to France but across Europe. This approach not only offers the fastest haulage from Great Britain to France but also sidesteps the higher costs and complications of French air freight. By eliminating unnecessary airline formalities and bureaucracy, we ensure your urgent shipments arrive on time and without fuss, providing a seamless door-to-door freight forwarding service.

Customer Reviews

Sophie Benge
Sophie Benge
2024-02-06
Joshua at Barrington Freight is friendly and patient. Their service hassle-free and affordable compared to other freight forwarders.
Alex Burton
Alex Burton
2024-02-04
Fantastic service from Barrington Freight. It was our first time exporting goods from the UK and it was very reassuring to have them manage the shipment. The process was made easy and hassle free and Simon was always quick to respond to any queries. I would highly recommend.
Mat Wilkinson
Mat Wilkinson
2024-01-22
these guys are excellent. Incredibly helpful, flexible and friendly- i cant recommend them highly enough- genuinely a brilliant team.
Top Tips
Top Tips
2023-11-14
The guys at Barrington are brilliant! I've used them for my shipments for around 12 years now and they never let you down. Always happy to help with anything!
David Darrock
David Darrock
2023-11-10
Barrington Freight are extremely helpful and professional, promptly answering any questions or queries. Communication from them has been great and they have taken the difficulty out of importing freight.
Scott Glazebrook
Scott Glazebrook
2023-11-01
Our business is the supply of high end luxury furniture and as such we rely on Barrington Freight to provide a 5* delivery service which they have done time and time again. Reliable, friendly and efficient sums up this great approachable freight forwarding business.
Krishan Dhillon
Krishan Dhillon
2023-11-01
10/10, dealt with everything start to finish. Customer service was friendly and helpful
Sharmane Barrett
Sharmane Barrett
2023-10-20
We had a last minute request and Lee was fantastic in helping us to arrange transportation and facilitate delivery from Europe, very quickly with no hiccups. I would highly recommend.
Simon Edgecombe
Simon Edgecombe
2023-10-16
HAVING USED MANY SHIPPERS TO IMPORT OUR GOODS FROM THE USA (NONE OUTSTANDING) I DECIDED THIS TIME TO HAVE A SEARCH AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD FIND A BETTER OPTION. I FOUND BARRINGTON FREIGHT AFTER EMAILING MANY OTHERS, SOME OF THEM (UPS,DHL,FEDEX) SIMPLY TOOK SO LONG TO CONTACT ME, THAT IT BECAME STUPID, SIMON AT BARRINGTON CAME BACK TO ME VIRTUALLY STRAIGHT AWAY WITH A VERY GOOD PRICE, ALSO GOOD SHIPPING TIMES. NOW A SERVICE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE RESULTS, AND THEY WERE AS GOOD AS THEIR WORD. HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THEM AND SIMON AT BARRINGTON FREIGHT WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON WE GO TO NEXT TIME, WELL DONE!!
French Import Customs Requirements

Customs, VAT and Regulations

VAT France

To organise a delivery from France to the UK, you will also need to deal with customs declarations that include things like VAT notices, commodity codes and excise duty, too. Note that VAT-registered businesses may be allowed to zero-rate goods they export to France, provided certain conditions are met. The French equivalent of VAT is known as Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée (TVA). French VAT rules are based on EU regulations and, although there is some variation for certain classes of goods, the standard French rate is 20%.

Goods or ServicesVAT Rate France
Standard taxable goods and services20%
Reduced rate goods and services (e.g., some foodstuffs, passenger transport)10%
Reduced rate goods and services (e.g., books, certain medical equipment)5.5%
Super-reduced rate goods (e.g., some pharmaceutical products)2.1%
Intra-community and international transport0%
Restrictions

Shipping to France from UK destinations is subject to a range of regulations and restrictions designed to protect health, safety and the environment. Goods that are typically subject to restrictions or cannot be exported to France from the UK are outlined below. Check on the latest rules with French Customs or ask Barrington Freight for specific guidance.

  • Agricultural products and live animals without proper health certificates and permissions.
  • CITES-protected endangered species and derivatives.
  • Counterfeit and pirated goods violating intellectual property.
  • Hazardous materials, including specific chemicals, radioactive materials, and waste without proper handling and shipping measures.
  • Narcotics and dangerous drugs, except licensed pharmaceuticals.
  • Weapons and ammunition without necessary licenses and permits.
  • Goods under UN or EU trade sanctions or embargoes.
  • National treasure cultural artefacts and antiques.
  • Unlicensed genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • EU-banned food products and ingredients, like hormones in meat.
EORI Number France

Post-Brexit, you need to look at more customs considerations for easy conveyance. Primarily, you need an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification Number) for both the UK and the EU. There are a host of other customs requirements too so it is best to use a reputable shipping company or customs agent to take the guesswork out for you. See our blog on What is an EORI Number if you are unsure if you have or need one.

Remember, too, that simply registering with HMRC as an importer of goods from France will not be sufficient – on its own – to be able to use French suppliers. 

Barrington Freight operates as a customs clearance agency as well as a team of expert freight forwarders, so we can help you with all of these matters if you need us to, whether you’re importing or exporting. We have the necessary licensing arrangements in place to oversee exported goods from the UK to France which has the same regulations in place as every other EU state. As such, we can help with multiple consignment deliveries that might include some in France and some further afield, such as those in Italy, Spain or Belgium, for instance.

Shipping Routes to France from the UK

Our swift and efficient express shipments between the UK and France benefit greatly from the extensive road network available. The key to our speedy service lies in the multiple routes we utilise:

  • The Dover to Calais ferry route remains a popular choice for direct shipments.
  • Regular services run from Poole to Cherbourg, ideal for accessing the West of England and Wales.
  • Portsmouth offers connections not only to Cherbourg but also to the ports of Caen and Le Havre, enhancing our coverage.
  • From Newhaven, there is a direct line to Dieppe, while Dover also provides routes to Dunkirk, ensuring comprehensive access to northern France.
  • The Channel Tunnel presents a reliable alternative for road freight, offering a swift passage free from maritime variables.
  • Our lorries take advantage of major arterial routes such as the A28 towards Rouen and Le Mans, the A16 and A1 to Paris, the A26 from eastern France, and for southern destinations, the A6 and A7, as well as the A20 and A63 towards cities like Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Our in-depth knowledge of French autoroutes and a well-planned logistics infrastructure mean we can deliver road freight efficiently, aligning with various schedules and budgetary requirements, and ensuring that once in France, our lorries continue unhindered to their destinations.

Get a free France delivery quote today

Where is France Located?

France is in Western Europe, stretching from the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea, lying south-east of the UK between Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy.

We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.

We are one of the top road freight shipping to France companies in the UK, so you can depend on Barrington Freight to transport any shipment to France on time and in optimal condition. Call our team today to get all the information you need about sending your road freight to Europe with us. Alternatively, use our handy online quotation tool and see for yourself just how cost-effective we can be.