France, e-commerce and logistics
The e-commerce market in France has witnessed huge growth in recent years.
This makes it one of Europe's biggest e-commerce trading destinations.
But what is the e-commerce landscape like? How can you send a parcel to France from the UK? And what is the cheapest and easiest way to get it there? Here’s what you need to know about making France your next international destination to deliver to.
Why ship to France?
France’s e-commerce market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years and today ranks third in Europe after Germany and the United Kingdom. The number of French e-commerce sites has almost doubled in the last decade, signifying the large potential of the country’s flourishing trade in the digital realm.
The French are internet savvy, as 90% of the population between the age of 16-44 are daily users. The older generations are also showing a propensity to shop online too, especially in comparison to other countries. 1
- 160 billion Euro
- E-commerce revenue in France
- 12.5%
- E-commerce share of total retail sales
- Amazon
- Most visited e-commerce website
[Stats taken from: www.statista.com/topics/6488/e-commerce-in-france#topicOverview]
The e-commerce landscape
The French B2C commerce market is estimated at USD $155 billion and continues to grow at a steady rate of more than 13% 2. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely affected the retail sector and accelerated the development of online shopping, e-commerce trade continues to follow an upward trend.
Opportunities
Fashion was by far the most lucrative e-commerce segment in France in 2024, with an estimated 16 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. Within the fashion segment, the second-hand online marketplace Vinted was the most visited fashion and apparel website in France as of December 2023, surpassing global powerhouses Zalando and ASOS. French e-tailers are responding to growing consumer demands for more affordable and sustainable products, as evidenced by the rise and popularity of online marketplaces for buying and selling second hand products.
The great news is that French e-buyers are more inclined to buy abroad than the average European e-buyer and there is a growing share of cross-border online purchases taking place. 3
Retail e-commerce growth in France (2017-2025)
April 2024, leboncoin.fr recorded a monthly web traffic of nearly 120 million visitors. 4
Logistics
So what do you need to take into account when shipping your products to France? Well the French apply taxes and duties to certain shipments, just like in any other country. So it’s always good to make yourself aware of the possible tax and duty your customers may need to pay in order to import your product. You can familiarise yourself with the weights and prices of sending a package to France using our helpful shipping rates chart.
Keep in mind:
The tax threshold is low at 22 euros, which makes it likely that your shipment will have a VAT / GST tax of 20% applied.
What our experts say:
“The French e-commerce market is strong, with good infrastructure and a tech-savvy population, making it a good opportunity for e-commerce business.”
Simon Perkins, Commercial Director, SAMOS.