We are a member of the DocShipper group and therefore have a presence all over the world. DocShipper is therefore also present in France to support you in all your purchasing and international logistics operations. You'll see, import/export has never been so easy! Being at the center of Europe, France benefits from a very favorable geographical position which gives it the advantage of having international air and sea trade links.
DocShipper services in France
Sea freight from/to France
Sea freight is the most widely used method of transportation because it allows us to ship large volumes to the other side of the world at a competitive price. You have the possibility to send your goods under 2 formulas:
- Less container load (LCL): You group your goods with other shippers in a single container.
- Full container load (FCL): You reserve the whole container. The container is sealed from departure to arrival.
Air freight from/to France
Although it is not an expensive and polluting transportation solution, air freight makes it possible to ship goods over long distances and quickly, like from China to France. In a few days of transit and your parcel to cross the world. Once again, you have the possibility to choose between 2 formulas:
- Conventional Air Cargo: You use the space available in conventional airlines such as Air France, American Airlines, Qatar Airways...
- Express Air Freight: If you have a small parcel - usually less than 100 Kgs - we recommend to send your goods with an express company such as DHL, Fedex, TNT, UPS...
Road freight from/to France
Road freight is usually an indispensable method since it will simply link the different terminals: your office, warehouse or home and the departure/arrival terminals such as ports, airports and train stations.
Please note that for short distances, we can use the truck for a door-to-door solution directly. This is for example the case for cross-border transport.
Post-transport services in France
We offer a multitude of post-transport logistics solutions in France. You need to store your goods for a short or long period of time? You can rent a space in our warehouses.
We also offer a packing service. A point not to be neglected since it will condition the rest of the operations: if your goods are packed in the right way, everything should go as planned. However, if you neglect this step, you may have unpleasant surprises.
DocShipper tip: Don't hesitate to ask our experts for advice if you have any doubts about your packaging.
Customs clearance services in France
It is simply an obligatory step in international logistics. When your goods arrive at the border of a country, they will necessarily have to obtain the approval of the customs authorities to enter the destination market. This means preparing the entire documentation package to certify the conformity of the products.
DocShipper Alert: Beware, the slightest omission and your cargo can get stuck in customs! Contact our DocShipper experts to help you prepare your merchandise for compliance before import or export.
Procurement services in France
The procurement services are a measure made accompaniment during your procurement operations. No more problems to find the right supplier producing the right products at a competitive price:
- Supplier search: We find suppliers in line with your project.
- Price negotiation: Let our years of experience in import/export negotiate prices for you.
- Sampling: Need to analyze your product before launching production? We can arrange for a sample to be sent to you.
- Compliance: Because products in Asia are not necessarily in line with the regulations of your market, this point is crucial!
- Quality control: We analyze your shipment according to 2 main criteria: the quantity to be controlled and the depth of it.
- International logistics: Finally, we naturally handle all the logistics needs up to your warehouse.
Operational capacity throughout France
Logistics services in Paris
Paris is the capital of France and is home to 2,175,601 habitants, the Parisians. This city is in the heart of France and is located in the Ile de France.
Paris is separated by the Seine River and has 2 main airports, Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Orly airport. Air freight transport is preferable for Paris because international goods are more accessible by air. Goods coming by maritime route will first stop at Le Havre which is the closest international commercial port to Paris, then continue on the Seine to arrive at the Autonomous Port of Paris.
Info DocShipper: DocShipper accompanies you throughout your project, delivers you to Paris and lets you choose the mode of transport of your goods.
Logistics services in Marseille
Marseille, located in Provence-Alpes-CĂ´te-D'Azur, is the 2nd largest city in France after Paris. With a municipal population of 868,277 habitants in 2018, Marseille has an area of 240.62 km2.
As far as freight transport is concerned, Marseille is home to the Marseille Provence International Airport and the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos. These two means of transporting goods are very efficient for anyone wishing to import or export from Marseille.
Info DocShipper: Do not hesitate to contact DocShipper for the transport of all your goods in Marseille.
Logistics services in Lyon
Lyon is the 3rd largest city in France and is located in the Auvergne RhĂ´ne-Alpes region. This city of 47.87 km2 welcomed 518,635 habitants in 2018.
Lyon has a commercial port, the Port of Lyon, which is divided into 2 container terminals, T1 and T2. The 2 terminals provide a handling capacity of 450,000 TEU/year. The Lyon Saint-Exupéry International Airport is also located there, which is the 2nd French airport freight platform after Paris.
Info DocShipper: DocShipper offers its import and export services as well as logistics and sourcing from terminals in Lyon.
Logistics services in Toulouse
Toulouse, also known as The Pink City, is one of the most important cities in France. With a surface area of 118.30 km2, Toulouse is home to a population of 486,828 habitants. Located in the heart of Occitania, Toulouse has the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport where all goods arriving by air are delivered. There is also the Toulouse Maritime Terminal, which is located in Grisolles, about 30 minutes from Toulouse for all arrivals and departures of goods.
Info DocShipper: The pink city is part of one of the main cities of France and that's why DocShipper offers you its services and support in Toulouse.
Transport terminals in France
International ports in France
The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos
Created by the State in 1966, the Autonomous Port is historically a major oil port. Â Its name, anecdotally, comes from the fact that it is financially indispensable, it was the economic center of Marseille. Since the economic crisis of 2008, the economy of the Autonomous Port has encountered difficulties. The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos has therefore been rebuilt and the managers have diversified their activities to offer the port a new chance in the face of the decline in oil activity. In particular via the transport of goods in containers and the transport of dry bulk, it has become a major player in international trade.
The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos holds the 1st place in France in the ranking of the largest French ports with 81 million tons of goods handled in 2016 and the 43rd place in the world ranking in the same year.
On average, there are 25 ship calls per day in this 10,400 ha terminal consisting of two basins, the East basin (dedicated to the flow of goods and ship handling) and the West basin (dedicated to receiving the largest ships and handling intercontinental traffic).
Info DocShipper : Our DocShipper team assists you for your imports and exports at the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fosses.
The Major Seaport of Havre
Founded by King Francis I in 1517, the Major Seaport of Havre in Normandy was at once a fortress at the entrance to the Seine, a trading port and a fishing port. The foundation of the city of Le Havre was due and only after the construction of this port which also became the first French port for international trade and container traffic. It is in particular in Le Havre that all the transhipments of goods to Paris via the Seine are carried out. Its geostrategic position allows the Port of Le Havre to distinguish itself by important connections with more than 650 ports in the world.
The Grand Port Maritime du Havre holds the 2nd place in France in the ranking of the largest French ports in terms of total traffic with approximately 64 million tons of goods handled in 2012, as well as the 56th place in the world ranking in 2017 with 68 million tons of goods handled.
In terms of containerized traffic, with 2.8 million TEUs in 2017, it is the leading French port. This 10,600 ha terminal is ISO 9001 and ISO 28000 certified and also holds the PERS (Port Environement Review Systel) environmental label.
Info DocShipper: Being one of the most important French ports, DocShipper accompanies you from the beginning to the end of your import/export project at the Grand Port Maritime du Havre.
Major Seaport of Dunkerque
At its beginnings, in the 11th century, the Major Seaport of  Dunkerque was intended for fishing activity. It was not until 1350 that the port saw the birth of commercial activity thanks to relations with Holland and England. Its geostrategic position gives it the advantage of being located near Lille, which is at the center of the triangle of 3 major capitals, Paris, Brussels and London.
The Port of Dunkirk holds 3rd place in France in terms of total traffic with approximately 53 million tons of goods handled in 2019 and is ranked 88th in the world in the same year.
In terms of containerized traffic, the Port of Dunkirk represents 450,000 tons of TEUs in 2019.
Info DocShipper: The Port of Dunkirk is the ideal site for logistics or distribution activities, that's why DocShipper is present and delivers your merchandise via maritime transport at this terminal.
International airports in France
Paris - Charles de Gaulle Airport
Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, located 25 km from Paris, opened its doors for the first time in 1974 with Terminal 1 in order to cope with the saturation of Orly Airport and in particular Le Bourget Airport. The airport inherited its name from the famous President Charles-de-Gaulle who was, at the time of the decision to create the airport, the President of the French Republic.
Charles-de-Gaulle Airport holds 11th place in the world ranking of airports with the most freight traffic, with 2.2 million tons of goods handled in 2019, and is in 1st place in the French ranking in the same year.
The airport covers an area of 3,200 ha, including 6 terminals reserved for cargo aircraft from 119 countries, with approximately 108 take-offs and landings per hour.
Info DocShipper: Being the most important cargo airport in France and Europe, DocShipper offers you its air cargo services in this terminal.
Paris - Orly Airport
Initially, the airport was called Port-Aviation was installed in Vitry-Châtillon. Inaugurated on May 23rd, 1909, at the time, the site was used as a point of air meetings, it is the first organized aerodrome in the world. At the beginning of the First World War, the site of the current Paris-Orly airport was then occupied by fields easily spotted and accessible. This site was used as an airfield for allied aircraft.
Today, Orly airport is located 10 km from Paris and owes its name to the commune of which it occupies a large part, i.e. an area of 1,528 ha.
Orly airport ranks 2nd in the ranking of airports in France by freight transport with 88,609 tons of goods handled in 2017. With the same figures in 2017, the airport is ranked 10th in the world.
Info DocShipper: DocShipper guides you and offers you its air cargo transportation services in Paris-Orly airport.
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
Opened in April 1975, Lyon International Airport was formerly known as Lyon-Satolas Airport. The decision to build the airport was taken following the saturation of Lyon-Bron airport which is located in an urban area and has runways too short to accommodate long-haul flights. When the Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport was built, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry aimed to offer an airport that would match Lyon's development and international ambitions.
With a surface area of 2,000 ha, in terms of freight transport, Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport ranks 3rd in the French ranking of airport freight hubs with more than 600 tons of freight and more than 10 flights per day.
Info DocShipper: DocShipper offers you a variety of services in logistics, sourcing and 3PL, we also deliver your air freight at Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.
FAQ | Freight forwarder & procurement agent in France
How can DocShipper help me in France?
DocShipper offers unique support, a tailor-made solution that includes all of your needs. From procurement to distribution, including compliance, quality control, transportation and customs clearance. You no longer have to waste time in a field you don't master, leave it to professionals!
What is a door-to-door service?
A door-to-door service is a logistic solution that includes all the needs of your project: packaging, international freight, customs clearance... You don't have to do anything else, we take care of everything. That's good, this service is our specialty!
How can DocShipper help me find a supplier?
DocShipper is first and foremost a network of agents and suppliers that we have certified around the world. So we probably have a supplier in our database that you might be interested in. If this is not the case, our sourcing team will search through our network to find the wholesaler that will meet your expectations: in terms of quantity, price and quality.
Is DocShipper a freight forwarder?
Yes and no! We are a freight forwarder but at the same time much more than that. We have a unique business model that allows us to accompany our customers throughout the entire product cycle: our sourcing department assists you throughout the entire purchasing process, the logistics department handles transport operations and finally our 3PL department helps you manage your B2C orders (if you are an E-Merchant). You only have to focus on the promotion and sale of your products, we manage the rest.
How much will I pay for DocShipper services?
It is impossible to give you a ladle price. Except for a few services that have a fixed charge, the majority of our solutions are built on a case-by-case basis. The costs of a project are therefore extremely variable. Do you have a serious project? Do not hesitate to contact us! Our team is very reactive, you will receive a return and a quote within 48 hours (provided we have all the necessary information and the elaboration of a solution).
Info DocShipper: Did you like this page? You will probably like the following ones:
DocShipper Advice: We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
- Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
- You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
- Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
- You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!
DocShipper China | Procurement - Quality control - Logistics
Alibaba, Dhgate, made-in-china... Many know of websites to get supplies in Asia, but how many have come across a scam ?! It is very risky to pay an Asian supplier halfway around the world based only on promises! DocShipper offers you complete procurement services integrating logistics needs: purchasing, quality control, customization, licensing, transport...
Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!