Removals UK to France

AIM-accredited and operational across the whole of France, from Paris and Lyon to Brittany, Normandy, the Dordogne, Bordeaux and the South of France, RMV handles UK-to-France moves for families, professionals, retirees and businesses relocating from London and across the UK.

France remains the most popular single-country destination for British movers. Since 1 January 2021, however, the UK is treated as a third country by EU customs authorities.

Every household goods removal from the UK to France now requires a formal customs clearance process that did not exist before Brexit, and the documentation requirements, if handled incorrectly, can result in delays at the border, unexpected duty charges or refusal of entry.

Working with an experienced, AIM-accredited international removals company is no longer optional for a UK-to-France move; it is the only reliable way to ensure your belongings arrive on time and duty-free. Full company details and accreditation are on our About Us page.

What Has Changed Since Brexit: Removals to France in 2026

Since Brexit, all removals from the UK to France require customs clearance regardless of the volume or value of goods being moved.

Before January 2021, UK-to-France removals were treated as a domestic EU transfer, no customs declarations, no import documentation, no duty risk. That is no longer the case. The UK's exit from the EU means that household goods transported from the UK to France are now subject to the same French import regulations that apply to moves from any non-EU country. For most people relocating their primary residence, those regulations allow goods to be imported duty-free, but only if the correct documentation is in place before the shipment crosses the border.

The key mechanism is the Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, known in France as the Déclaration de Déménagement. Under this scheme, British nationals moving their main residence to France can import their household goods without paying French import VAT (currently 20%) or customs duty, providing they meet specific eligibility conditions and supply a complete, accurate documentation package. The conditions are: the importer must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months; all goods must have been owned and used for at least six months; the goods must be imported within 12 months of the date of transfer of residence; and the importer must not sell or transfer ownership of any imported items for at least 12 months after import.

RMV manages the full Transfer of Residence documentation process on your behalf, including the Déclaration de Déménagement, the certificat de non-cession, the itemised and valued inventory in French (three signed copies required), and the customs agent authorisation form. Our move managers provide blank document templates, completion guidance and review of all paperwork before the shipment departs.

Who We Move to France

Families and Retirees Relocating Permanently to Rural France

The Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy and the Loire Valley are the four most consistent destinations for British families and retirees making a permanent move from the UK. Permanent relocations from the UK to rural France typically involve full-load removals: the complete contents of a three to five-bedroom property, including furniture, white goods, garden equipment and personal effects accumulated over many years of UK residence. Our removals service and storage service can be combined for pre-departure packing and temporary storage where the French property is not ready on the UK departure date.

Professionals on International Postings to Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux

Corporate and professional relocations to France's major cities are typically more compressed in timeline. One to three-bedroom flat contents, coordinated around a confirmed start date at a French employer. Our man and van service handles smaller professional moves, one or two-bedroom flat contents or partial loads, where a full-scale removal vehicle is not required.

Students and Young Movers, Groupage Removals to France

A growing cohort of UK graduates and young professionals are relocating to France, to Paris, Montpellier, Toulouse and Lyon, for work or postgraduate study. These moves are typically small in volume and cost-sensitive, and benefit most from a groupage removals service: shared-load transport where you pay only for the cubic metreage your belongings actually occupy, rather than the cost of an exclusive vehicle.

British Expats Moving Between or Upgrading French Properties

British nationals who already own a secondary residence in France require careful customs planning: the Transfer of Residence exemption applies only to primary residence relocations. Goods moved to a secondary residence are subject to French import duty (typically 0–10% depending on item type) and VAT at 20%. RMV's move managers assess each client's residency situation individually to confirm the correct customs pathway before any booking is confirmed.

Businesses Relocating to France or Setting Up French Operations

Commercial removals from UK offices to French premises require EORI-registered customs handling, commercial invoice documentation and, where applicable, carnet ATA coverage for temporary imports. Our removals service covers commercial relocations to France for businesses of all sizes.

Service Options: Full Load, Groupage and Part-Load Removals to France

RMV offers three transport formats for UK-to-France removals, full load, groupage and part-load, and the right choice depends on volume, budget and timeline.

Full Load (Exclusive Vehicle)

Your belongings occupy the entire vehicle from collection to delivery. The vehicle loads at your UK address and drives directly to your French destination, with customs clearance en route, typically via Calais, Dunkirk, Caen or Eurotunnel. Delivery is typically 2–5 days door to door. Full load is standard for three-bedroom or larger household removals and for any move where timeline certainty is critical.

Groupage (Shared Load)

Your belongings are consolidated with those of other customers moving to the same region of France. You pay only for the space your goods occupy, measured in cubic metres. Groupage delivery typically takes 5–14 days door to door. It is the standard choice for studios, one and two-bedroom flats, student moves and partial household removals.

Pre-Departure Storage

For moves where pre-departure storage is required, our storage service holds packed contents until the French property is confirmed and ready, preventing the common situation where a UK property has been vacated but the French address is not yet accessible.

Post-Brexit Documentation: What You Need for Removals to France

The following documents are required for a Transfer of Residence customs clearance for removals to France from the UK.

• Passport copy, identity and nationality confirmation for French customs
• French proof of residence, rental contract, property deed, utilities setup letter or attestation from your mairie
• Itemised and valued inventory of all goods, written in French, signed and dated, three copies required
• Completed Déclaration de Déménagement (Cerfa form 10070*01)
• Signed certificat de non-cession (declaration that goods will not be sold or transferred for 12 months)
• Signed customs agent authorisation form (allowing RMV to act as your direct representative)
• Proof of 12 months' UK residence prior to the move date, council tax bill, bank statements or similar

RMV provides all blank forms, completion guidance and pre-departure document review as standard on every UK-to-France booking. For packing materials ahead of your France move, all boxes, wrapping and specialist materials are available through our Packing Shop.

Removals to Key French Regions and Cities

RMV delivers to all French regions. Estimated door-to-door transit times are provided below for the most common UK-to-France routes.

• Paris and Île-de-France (75, 92, 93, 94), full load 2–4 days; groupage 5–10 days
• Brittany (29, 22, 35, 56), full load 3–5 days; groupage 6–12 days
• Normandy (14, 50, 27, 76), full load 2–4 days; groupage 5–10 days
• The Dordogne (24), full load 4–6 days; groupage 7–14 days
• Bordeaux and the Gironde (33), full load 4–6 days; groupage 7–14 days
• South of France, Provence, Côte d'Azur, Languedoc (13, 06, 83, 34), full load 5–8 days; groupage 8–16 days
• Lyon and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (69), full load 3–5 days; groupage 6–12 days

All times include customs clearance. Delays at the French border are almost always caused by documentation errors, not traffic or ferry schedules. For France-specific moving guides and 2026 relocation advice, visit our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions, Removals to France from the UK

Do I need customs clearance for removals to France since Brexit?

Yes. Since 1 January 2021, all removals from the UK to France require a formal customs clearance process. There are no exceptions based on volume or value. RMV manages the full customs documentation process on your behalf as standard on every UK-to-France booking.

Can I move my household goods to France without paying import VAT or duty?

Yes, if you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. To qualify, you must be moving your primary residence to France, have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, and have owned all goods for at least six months.

The correct documentation, including the Déclaration de Déménagement and an itemised French-language inventory, must be submitted to French customs before clearance. RMV prepares and reviews all documents on your behalf.

What is groupage removals to France and is it right for me?

Groupage is a shared-load service where your belongings are consolidated with those of other customers moving to France. You pay only for the cubic metreage you use. It is the most cost-effective option for studios, one-bedroom flats, student moves and partial household volumes. Delivery typically takes 5–14 days door to door.

How much does a removal to France cost?

Indicative prices from RMV's international removals rate card: a one-bedroom flat to Paris from approximately £1,045; a two-bedroom flat to Paris from approximately £2,125; a three-bedroom house to Brussels from approximately £1,745. Exact quotes depend on volume, destination, access and customs requirements. Request a quote at 0208 0900 232 or info@rmvlondon.com.

Can you help with a handyman service at the French destination?

Yes. RMV's handyman service covers furniture assembly, dismantling and fixture installation, available at the UK origin address and, by arrangement, at the French destination for clients who need practical help setting up their new property on arrival.

How far in advance should I book a removal to France?

For full-load removals of three bedrooms or larger, four to six weeks is recommended to allow time for survey, document preparation and vehicle scheduling. For groupage bookings, two to three weeks is usually sufficient. For urgent requirements, call 0208 0900 232 directly.

Your Complete UK-to-France Moving Solution

RMV Storage & Removals provides end-to-end removals to France from the UK, from pre-move survey and packing through customs documentation, international transport and door-to-door delivery at any French address.

Our removals service manages the full physical move; our storage service bridges the gap where UK and French timelines don't align; our man and van service handles smaller volumes cost-effectively; and our handyman service provides practical support at origin and destination.

All packing materials for a France move are available through our Packing Shop. For France-specific moving guides and 2026 relocation advice, visit our blog. For AIM accreditation details, see our About Us page.