Sending Mail & Parcels from France to the USA: What’s Changed?
If you are a business, an individual, or an American in France and planning to send a parcel to friends or family in the USA, be aware that the rules have changed. As of August 29, 2025, the United States has implemented new customs regulations that significantly impact shipments from France and across Europe.
The End of the Duty-Free Threshold
Until recently, parcels valued at under $800 (approximately €690, depending on the exchange rate) were exempt from customs duties when entering the United States. That exemption has now been removed. From the very first dollar, shipments are taxed, with a 15% customs duty applied to goods from the European Union. Even more striking is the shift in responsibility: customs duties are now payable by the sender, not the recipient. These taxes must be paid to U.S. customs before parcels are cleared into the country.
A Temporary Suspension of Certain Shipments
Because the U.S. has not yet provided the practical details on how these taxes should be collected, La Poste (like other European postal operators) has had to suspend certain shipments “until further notice.” But what this means in practice?
✅ Still possible
- Letters and documents (including “Prêt-à-Poster”)
- Gifts exchanged between private individuals, up to 100 USD / €85 per parcel
- Chronopost shipments and “Prêt-à-Expédier Chronopost” parcel
- Certain pre-paid Chronopost packaging
🚫 Suspended
- Standard parcels containing goods (outside of Chronopost services)
- Postage of merchandise bound for the USA
Any other merchandise shipped to the U.S. will be blocked and returned to the sender (provided the return address is correctly filled out).
What You Can Still Send
If you’re sending a simple letter, an official document, or a small personal gift, you’re still in the clear. Here are the main options available to you:
- Letters and documents: Delivery usually takes 7–10 days with La Poste, or faster if using Chronopost. Prices start from €4.50 for a 100 g letter (including VAT).
- Chronopost parcels: Express delivery in 2–5 days.
- Colissimo International: Normally a more economical service with 5–10 day delivery times, but currently suspended for shipments of merchandise to the USA.
Customs Paperwork
For eligible parcels containing goods (for example, Chronopost shipments or gifts under the exemption), you’ll need to:
- Include a commercial invoice or pro-forma invoice in English inside the package.
- Clearly declare the value and content of the shipment.
- Pay close attention to weight and dimension limits depending on the service.
Key Takeaways
- All goods sent to the U.S. are now taxed from the first dollar.
- Duties are the responsibility of the sender.
- Only certain categories of shipments are currently accepted (documents, low-value gifts, Chronopost).
- Until U.S. authorities clarify how taxes will be collected, La Poste has suspended standard parcel shipments.
For now, if your shipment is urgent or involves merchandise, Chronopost, Fedex or UPS are probably your best bets. Otherwise, stick to letters, documents, or low-value gifts until the situation becomes clearer.
