Sea freight from Thailand to France
TOP 5 – Shipping line
Main ports in France
Marseille Fos Port
The port of Marseille Fos is the first port of France, it plays a major role in French international trade. It is a very large port with the latest infrastructure. All kinds of goods can be transported through it.
Additional information:
- 25 ship calls per day on average
- 3 million m² of warehouse space
Port of Le Havre
The port of Le Havre is the second-largest French seaport, its maritime accesses allow it to receive all types of container ships.
- Additional information:
1st French port for foreign trade and container traffic - 1st French port for energy supply
- 75 regular shipping lines
Port of Dunkerque
The port of Dunkerque is the third-largest French port, often referred to as an industrial port. It has an excellent infrastructure.
Additional information:
- 1st French port for the import of ores and coal
- 1st French port for the import of fruit in containers
- 1st French rail freight hub
Main ports in Thailand
The Port of Bangkok
The Port of Bangkok is the largest port in Thailand, located on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It is connected to the national railway system and has several docks for loading and unloading containers.
Laem Chabang Port
The Laem Chabang Port is located about 130 kilometers southeast of Bangkok in Chonburi province. It is the second-largest port in Thailand and is connected to the national
railway network for the transportation of goods to the interior of the country.
Map Ta Phut Port
Located in Rayong province, the Map Ta Phut Port is on the east coast of Thailand, this port is an important center for the country's petrochemical industry. It has a rail yard and is connected to the national rail network.
Chiang Saen Port
The Chiang Saen Port is located on the Mekong River in Chiang Rai province, near the border with Laos. It is used for the transport of goods between Thailand and the neighboring countries, in particular Laos and China.
Should I ship by groupage or full container between France and Thailand?
There are three main categories of standard container sizes:
- The 40-foot HQ (High Cube), with a capacity of 76 cubic meters.
- The 40-foot container, with a capacity of 67 cubic meters.
- The 20-foot container, with a capacity of 33 cubic meters.
Each of these containers can be shipped by two different transportation methods.
LCL
Less than Container Load: This type of shipment, allows several people, who do not have enough goods to fill an entire container, to use the same container. The goods of various people are thus combined to fill an entire container.
This is the most cost-effective choice for small shipments of less than 15 m³.
FCL
Full Container Load: For this type of shipment, one person will use the entire capacity of the container. This minimizes the risk of damage to the goods.
This method would still be advantageous even if you did not fill the container completely. However, it is the most cost-effective for shipments over 15 m³.
Air freight from Thailand to France
Main airports in France
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is Europe's leading airport for cargo traffic, with a cargo area of 300 hectares.
Additional information:
- 328 destinations served in 119 countries
- 2.1 million tons of cargo and mail in 2019
- 9ᵉ world airport for cargo
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry International Airport has been ranked the best European airport in 2019 by the ACI (Airport Council International) for the category of airports handling between 10 and 25 million passengers per year.
Additional information:
- 131 destinations and 41 airlines
- 57,278 tons of cargo in 2019
- 2nd French regional airport for commercial aviation
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Toulouse Airport is the 6th largest airport in France. It has a well-developed infrastructure and is capable of handling a lot of cargo.
Additional information:
- 67,986 tons of freight in 2019
- 8,000 m² dedicated to traditional cargo handling
- Cargo capacity of 50,000 tons
Main airports in Thailand
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport is a major cargo hub for the Asia-Pacific region, offering direct air connections to many international destinations.
Additional information:
- It has the highest control tower in the world.
- Its terminal is the third largest in the world with 56.3 hectares.
- Forecasted increase in cargo and aviation capacity.
Don Mueang Airport
Don Mueang is considered one of the oldest international airports in the world. Commercial flights began in 1924, making it one of the oldest commercial airports in the world.
Additional information:
- 700,000 tons of cargo were handled by this airport.
- It worked with 80 airlines
Chiang Mai Airport
Although Chiang Mai Airport is not as large as Bangkok Airport, it plays an important role in the logistics of the northern region of Thailand by providing direct connections to major domestic and international destinations.
Additional information:
- 16,000 tons of annual cargo
- More than 15,000 flights and 2,000,000 passengers annually
Customs clearance in France for goods imported from Thailand
Customs clearance in any country is an important and mandatory step that must be done when importing and exporting.
When you import goods in France, the customs clearance will consist in paying the customs duties and the VAT. It is also necessary to be attentive to the regulations and standards of the country where you are shipping to avoid having your goods blocked at customs.
Here are the prohibited and regulated products in France:
- Prohibited products: drugs, counterfeit goods, plants, animals, and some dangerous materials...
- Regulated products: food (fruits, vegetables, meat, poison, milk), animals, weapons and ammunition, works of art, medicines, products…
Customs valuation
The customs value corresponds to the real economic value of the goods. Its estimation is based on precise rules harmonized at the European level. Thus, the General Rules for the Determination of Customs Value provide for several valuation methods, which are set out in Articles 70 to 74 of the European Customs Code (ECC).
The customs value makes it possible, when importing goods, to determine the duties and taxes that will be collected by the State: customs duties, additional duties, anti-dumping duties, dock dues, VAT, etc., and when exporting, to obtain the basis for certain duties and to collect the data necessary for statistical monitoring of foreign trade.
What are the customs duties and taxes in France?
- Import duties: These are taxes imposed on certain goods imported into France, based on the product's classification, value, and country of origin. Import duties can vary widely depending on the product and can range from a few percent to more than 50% of the product's value.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): This is a tax on the value added at each stage of production and distribution of goods and services. For most goods imported into France, the VAT rate is currently 20%. The VAT is usually paid by the importer when the goods enter the country.
- Excise duties: These are taxes on specific products, such as alcohol, tobacco, and fuel. Excise duties are often based on the quantity or volume of the product and are charged in addition to import duties and VAT.
- Anti-dumping duties: These are additional import duties imposed by the EU to counteract unfair trade practices, such as when a foreign company exports a product at a lower price than it charges in its own country. Anti-dumping duties can be significant and may be imposed for several years.
- Environmental taxes: Some products may be subject to environmental taxes, such as taxes on packaging or products that contain hazardous substances.
How to calculate customs duties and taxes
Calculating customs duties and taxes on imports into France can be a complex process that depends on several factors, such as the type of product, its value, and its country of origin. Here are the general steps to follow:
- Determine the product's tariff classification: The first step in calculating customs duties is to determine the product's tariff classification. This is done by consulting the EU's Common Customs Tariff (CCT), which lists the various product categories and their corresponding duty rates. You'll need to know the Harmonized System (HS) code for your product to determine its tariff classification.
- Determine the product's value: The next step is to determine the product's value, which is usually the invoice value of the goods plus any additional costs, such as shipping and insurance.
- Calculate the customs duty: Once you have determined the product's tariff classification and value, you can calculate the customs duty. The duty rate will depend on the product's tariff classification, its value, and the country of origin. You can use the EU's TARIC database to look up the duty rate for your product.
- Calculate the VAT: In addition to customs duties, you will also need to calculate the VAT. The VAT rate in France is currently 20%, but there may be reduced rates for certain products, such as food and books.
- Calculate any other taxes or fees: Depending on the product, there may be other taxes or fees to consider, such as excise duties or environmental taxes.
It's important to note that the customs clearance process and the calculation of duties and taxes can be complex. If you're unsure about how to calculate the duties and taxes for your specific import, it's always best to consult with a customs broker or freight forwarder like Siam Shipping. We can help you navigate the process and ensure that you're meeting all the necessary requirements.
How to find the HS code?
A system of classification for products used in international trade is the HS code (Harmonized System). It organizes goods into categories based on their nature and intended use, making the collection of statistical data and the customs clearance process easier. The HS system contains more than 5,000 different products, each of which is categorized using a distinct eight-digit number.
You can consult these websites to know the HS code of the Thailand products and the French products.
Calculating customs duties with the HS Code
Now that you have the HS code of your products, you can find the associated tariffs on the European customs website.
Here is a small illustrated guide to help you understand how to do it:
Enter your HS code and country of origin.
Then, consult taxes applicable to your product.
Does Siam Shipping charge customs duties?
No, no commission is taken from Siam Shipping. As proof, we will send you all the official documents provided by French customs. We will only collect the customs clearance fees, as we declare your goods to the customs for you.
The fees associated with customs duties and taxes will be collected by the French government.
Customs procedures and contact
Storing and warehousing
We offer storage services in different countries, especially in France and Thailand. You can store your goods in our warehouse until you have enough goods to fill an entire container. This will save you transportation costs.
You can go to our specific page at: Storage services
Packing and repacking
The packaging of your products is an important step that should not be neglected. To ensure that your products are packaged properly and securely, use our professional packaging service!
Additional details can be found on our dedicated page: Packing Services
Insurance for transport
Taking out insurance for your shipment is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. In case of damage or loss of your goods, you will be fully reimbursed. We have negotiated the best prices with the insurance companies so that you can take advantage of this service at a low price!
Visit our specific page here: Insurance services
