How to import French antiques in 2024 by sea container, air freight or express

For those who’re buying vintage furnishings, superb artwork, or sculptures in France, this complete information offers the whole lot it’s essential to learn about transport your objects safely and effectively worldwide. Whether or not you’re sending treasures to the US, USA, Canada, Asia, Australia, Europe, or the UK, these 18 important ideas will assist guarantee a seamless supply expertise.

At Chez Pluie, our transport companies are trusted by discerning shoppers across the globe and have been featured in worldwide press. Endorsed by native Tourism Workplaces and backed by a loyal clientele who repeatedly depend on us, transport with Chez Pluie is the one approach to make sure your French antiques are dealt with with care and experience. From small parcels despatched through air categorical to full transport containers touring by ocean freight, we assure peace of thoughts each step of the way in which.

Designed for personal collectors and professionals alike, this information covers each side of worldwide transport, together with packaging, insurance coverage, customs documentation, and logistics. Whether or not you’re furnishing a house in New York, adorning an area in London, or transport to locations like Tokyo or Sydney, Chez Pluie ensures your antiques arrive securely and on schedule.

For dependable, stress-free transport with an impeccable observe document, belief Chez Pluie to ship your French treasures safely to your door.

Understanding transport prices was once a difficult and time-consuming course of. Nonetheless, it’s now fast, clear, and hassle-free with our complimentary transport quoting app, accessible on each the Apple App Retailer and Google Play Retailer.

This important app is a must have for severe patrons exploring vintage markets, offering on the spot transport pricing for any merchandise. With this highly effective device, consumers could make absolutely knowledgeable buy choices on the spot, making certain readability and confidence when shopping for antiques. Be taught extra about the way it works in Level 6.

ship French antiques to USA in 2025

Perceive the completely different companies accessible
Use just one service supplier to supply and ship your antiques
When to make use of low-cost (and when to not)
Packaging – small and fragile objects
Packaging – crated objects
Prompt transport quotes – obtain the app
Dealing with concerns
Situation of furnishings after buy
Important preparation for supply day
Typical prices
Make use of tax breaks
Resolve who pays import duties
Perceive who’s answerable for customs clearance
When receiving a quote, take note of your supply handle
Perceive insurance coverage
Widespread language
Earlier than arriving
The place to purchase antiques in France

 

1. Perceive the completely different companies accessible

You will need to select the appropriate service relying in your transport quantity and schedule. The commonest companies are (so as of quantity):

Air categorical

Deliveries arrive to any handle within the USA in round 7-10 days.

That is essentially the most economical service for objects below 90lbs (i.e. transporting an 80lbs crate on a freight service will value greater than categorical and take longer, so an categorical service is the rational selection).

Air freight

Deliveries arrive to most addresses within the USA in round 14 days. Distant areas can take just a few days further. That is essentially the most economical service for objects between 90lbs and filling roughly two averaged dimension crates (every crate ~35 cubic toes).

Sea/ocean freight – lower than a container (LCL), or groupage*

Deliveries arrive to the East Coast of the USA in round 30 days, and to the West Coast in round 50 days, together with packaging and dealing with time.

That is essentially the most economical service for objects filling between two to 6 crates (70 to 210 cubic toes)

*Groupage/LCL for antiques is essentially the most misunderstood service kind, and this will have a significant impression on timing. Listed here are two examples of how this time period is used:

You’ll want to perceive precisely what kind of transport service is quoted.

Sea/ocean freight – a full container (FCL)

Packaging and preparation can take some extra time, so total, deliveries arrive to the East Coast of the USA in round 60 days, and to the West Coast in round 80 days.

As soon as a cargo exceeds roughly six crates of furnishings, then it turns into extra economical to move a complete container. An essential be aware is {that a} 20” container is 1172 cubic toes. In observe, that is equal to about 18 common stacked crates.

In different phrases, there’s a large enhance within the quantity between LCL and FCL. For those who resolve to move greater than six crates of furnishings, then your transport value goes to be about the identical worth as a full container, so you might as properly make use of the area and fill your complete container with furnishings.

For those who don’t want all of the area of a container, then take into consideration anybody else you recognize who might want to share the container with you. 

2. Use just one service supplier to supply and ship your antiques

This ensures {that a} single firm is answerable for the whole lot promised to you – the standard of the furnishings, the situation through which it arrives, the timeframe, and the entire value.

Some shippers might solely supply a world service to your nearest seaport. Then one other contract is required to make the ultimate supply to your door. Be very cautious of this extremely dangerous method. If something is broken in transit, there isn’t a clear indication of who’s accountable.

Moreover, if the cargo is a full container, be certain that the service consists of having the container delivered to your door. If the service requires objects to be unpacked from a container and repacked right into a car, this provides to the danger of harm in transit.

3. When to make use of low-cost (and when to not)

Low-cost transport is a superb resolution for transporting new or artisan-made furnishings, and when there isn’t a strict mission deadline. Low-cost transport must be used together with a complete insurance coverage coverage, as items are more likely to interrupt in transit. When this occurs, insurance coverage covers replacements to be despatched, and the one value to the shopper is a delay in time.

Nonetheless, this technique doesn’t work with antiques.

Antiques are irreplaceable and damaged items are misplaced eternally. The very best final result to hope for is a refund, which places the shopper again to sq. one. On a regular basis spent purchasing, deciding on, and buying can have the be repeated over on the shopper’s expense.

For antiques, the very best type of insurance coverage is packaging. Skilled packaging will value somewhat extra upfront, however it’s by far the best technique to attain the tip objective of having fun with vintage furnishings within the residence. Learn extra about packaging within the subsequent two sections.

4. Packaging – small and fragile objects

Packaging is the only most essential issue in furnishings arriving safely. It’s so essential that we have now allotted two sections to packaging! Often, the distinction between a high quality transport service and a low-cost service is the time and price of packaging.

The bottom-cost transport suppliers sometimes use minimal packaging, akin to single-layer cartons and reused supplies that aren’t fit-for-purpose. That is additionally the commonest issue for breakages in transport. Not like manufactured items, antiques are irreplaceable, so high quality packaging is crucial.

For small and fragile objects, our enterprise makes use of export-grade, double-walled cartons designed to hold 66lbs of weight. We make three layers of those, one inside the opposite, with crumple paper in between. Contained in the innermost carton, we use a mixture of self-moulding foam, tissue paper, bubble wrap, and crumple paper. This all depends upon the thing’s form, materials, and end.

5. Packaging – crated objects

Any objects which are too massive for a carton will must be crated. Crated objects ought to at all times be absolutely enclosed. That’s, a protecting timber layer ought to cowl all sides and prime and backside.

Any objects that are solely coated with plastic wrap, foam, or simply timber framing are at excessive threat of breaking. Additionally, insurance coverage corporations sometimes is not going to cowl this sort of packaging.

The crates also needs to be bolstered to guard the objects from different heavy objects and equipment, akin to forklifts. Inside, the objects must be protected with a mixture of polystyrene, self-moulding foam, tissue paper, bubble wrap and crumple paper.

Usually, the most important threat of breakage may be from the thing itself. For instance, if the thing is elongated and it experiences a whiplash drive in transit, then it may crack below its personal mass. This threat is mitigated with skilled placement of timber helps at varied factors making a counter stress. The drive utilized by these helps then must be exactly calibrated with foam inserts.

6. Prompt transport quotes when making furnishings buy choices – obtain the app 

When vintage purchasing in France, shoppers who’re transport lower than a container must have in mind the extra transport value of every merchandise as they make their buy choices.

The one on the spot approach to do that is by utilizing our transport quoting app. It may be downloaded from each the Apple app retailer and Android Retailer.  

For instance, a shopper might have already bought some pottery, glassware, bar stools, and a few work, they usually know their transport prices for this stuff. Nonetheless, they then spot a big oak eating desk. In the event that they buy the desk, it’ll change the transport service and the general value of the transport for all their items. The extra transport value shall be vital, so how do they discover this out prior to creating a well-informed buy determination? The one technique to know your transport prices for every merchandise is with our app.  

 

7. Dealing with concerns

A shopper will sometimes purchase furnishings from a number of completely different sellers. Then, it’s the transporter’s duty to gather furnishings from the supplier, use their very own autos to deliver furnishings again to their warehouse, retailer the objects, put together the furnishings for worldwide cargo, then dispatch the packaged items with a forwarder. It is a lot of dealing with by varied people, and this can be very essential to handle the danger of breakage always.

At Chez Pluie, these dangers are managed as follows:

Dealing with procedures have been written and refined over time, and we have now common workforce conferences to evaluate methods to enhance these.
All of our workers are educated from the bottom up, and none have labored for different transporters – we don’t wish to inherit dangerous habits akin to rushed or improvised dealing with of treasured antiques.
Our workers are supplied with the proper dealing with instruments, and we guarantee all tools is match for function.
Each workers member’s remuneration is tied to a key efficiency metric of not damaging any stock. That is measured weekly, and a big proportion of their wage is in danger, so they’ll shield each merchandise they deal with.

8. Situation of furnishings after buying and earlier than the gathering

Very often, a lot time can cross between when the shopper makes a purchase order and once they instruct the transporters to proceed with collections. That is largely because of the time it takes to verify your complete listing of things to be bought, and to finalise the transactions.

Throughout this time, bought objects stay with the vintage sellers. The furnishings both stays on the supplier’s store ground or is saved within the supplier’s depot. There’s a likelihood that injury can happen to the furnishings throughout this time. This is the reason the transporter ought to at all times present a situation report back to the shopper on the time of assortment. The situation report ought to embrace images and descriptions of any irregularities.

Extra importantly although, the transporter ought to actively help the shopper with resolving any discrepancies with the situation. To do that, it’s crucial for the transporter to have a superb rapport with the vintage sellers. This can assist with coordinating any repairs or restorations.

For the shopper, it’s a much better final result if these points are resolved in France previous to the furnishings being shipped to the USA.

9. Important preparation for supply day

When recieving any items it is very important totally examine the situation of the products as quickly as attainable. Ideally any injury must be reported to the supply individual, nevertheless it will also be reported for a short while afterwards. If there’s any seen injury to the packaging, take images of this earlier than opening the parcel or crate. If there’s injury, typically, the extra images the higher.   

Air freight

Airfreight will typcially be delivered to your door, unloaded from a truck and handed over on the entrance to the supply handle. The objects shall be packaged in absolutely enclosed timber instances that are too heavy to carry by hand. It’s extremely beneficial to have:

fundamental hand instruments akin to an electrical drill to open the crates
sufficient individuals to help with shifting the objects into their closing place, or
shifting instruments akin to a trolley
a plan in place in case of moist climate

Sea/ocean freight – a full container (FCL)

The usual association for supply of a container to the vacation spot handle is as follows. This is applicable to each enterprise and private container deliveries.

The handle will need to have satisfactory entry for a big truck to reach, park, stay stationary and depart. The container stays on the truck trailer. The truck and driver stay on website for 2 hours, and after that an hourly price applies for the truck to remain longer. The driving force doesn’t assist with unloading the truck – that is their designated relaxation time.

Often the recipient can have pre-arranged a workforce of individuals accessible onsite to unload the container. The container stays on the trailer so the ground of the container is about 5’2” above floor degree. The workforce of unloaders is normally seperate from the container supply scope, and it is very important verify who’s answerable for this with the shipper upfront. 

Relying on what furnishings is bought, it might be attainable to unload the container with 4 robust individuals. In any other case the objects are massive, heavy objects, then a lifting trolley or forklift could be requried.

The precise course of may also rely if the furnishings is being moved into a home immediately, or into storage. Within the occasion of dangerous climate, then guarantee to have an answer for shifting the furnishings to a dry place instantly.

As soon as the container is unloaded, the driving force leaves the location, taking the container away.

10. Typical prices

Transport prices range by time, quantity, vacation spot, and sort of products shipped. For instance, a 35 cubic foot armchair shall be far less complicated to organize and package deal than a 35 cubic foot chandelier. Additionally, international transport charges previous to, throughout, and post-COVID have fluctuated enormously.

Nonetheless, to supply a normal information, listed below are some worth ranges that ought to assist information your finances. These are based mostly on a few of our latest earlier shipments in 2022.

A full container to Dallas, Texas

Service: Ocean Freight FCL
Instance contents: Six-piece couch, a bookcase, ten-seater eating desk, seven armchairs, a really massive metallic sculpture, three commodes, a big trunk, two massive chandeliers, three lighting fixtures, two massive mirrors, a number of plenty of small ornamental objects.
Value steerage: US$20,000-$30,000

Three massive crates delivered to Texas

Service: Ocean Freight LCL
Instance contents: 5 armchairs, two massive Trumeau mirrors, one massive wall pane, one ornamental barometer
Value steerage: US$4,000-$5,000

One massive crate delivered to Connecticut

Service: Air Freight
Instance contents: One massive vintage commode
Value steerage: US$1,000-$2,000

4 cartons delivered to New York

Service: Air Specific
Instance contents: A pair of cachepots and a pair of ceramic vases
Value steerage: US$500-800

Small crate delivered to Mississippi

Service: Air Specific
Instance contents : Two medium sized work
Value steerage: US$400-600

11. Make use of tax breaks

If vintage sellers in France can show that their offered items have left Europe, then they pay much less tax (TVA in France). This is the reason shoppers from abroad ask sellers for “the export worth”. Nonetheless, solely the shipper can present proof that the products have been exported. Due to this fact, it’s so essential that the shipper has a superb rapport with the vintage sellers. This fashion, the vintage sellers can comfortably low cost the tax from their costs, with out concern that they won’t obtain their all-important “Proof of export certificates.” As such, selecting the best shipper will aid you save on the acquisition value of your objects.

12. Resolve who pays import duties

Worldwide customs processing is much extra automated right this moment than up to now, so you must count on export/import clearance to be a typical service.

You will need to be aware that antiques older than 100 years of age may be imported into the USA freed from duties. Nonetheless, this part is related if a cargo incorporates any new objects, and it is very important resolve upfront who covers the import taxes and duties. Both:

Shipper pays – the shipper can present an all-up quote, together with all duties and import taxes. For patrons, it is a barely larger total value, but in addition presents peace-of-mind of figuring out all prices upfront.
Recipient pays – duties are paid on to the vacation spot authorities when the furnishings arrives within the nation. If the recipient is a enterprise, it’s typically attainable to obtain tax credit relying on the import nation.

13. Perceive who’s answerable for customs clearance

Most often, a good shipper will full the customs clearance for his or her shoppers, however it’s nonetheless value asking this query.

Nonetheless, it’s actually essential to notice that some varieties should be stuffed out by the shopper. One instance of that is the 5016 Create Importer Id Type, which is required by US Customs and Border Safety authority. It is a comparatively easy type to finish, however there’s one catch…

This type have to be accomplished inside 5 enterprise days of the products arriving on US soil, or the US CBP will deport the products.

This is the reason you must at all times use a dependable transporter who communicates upfront and has techniques in place to make sure your items should not deported.

14. When receiving a quote, take note of your supply handle

This may increasingly sound apparent, however most worldwide transport corporations solely ship to the closest seaport or distribution centre. Pay shut consideration to any quotes offered to make sure the supply handle is what you count on it to be.

15. Perceive insurance coverage

 

If antiques are properly packaged and despatched with a dependable shipper, then broken objects are a uncommon prevalence. Nonetheless, listed below are three factors to examine with any transport insurance coverage supply:

How a lot are the products insured for? i.e., simply the purchase worth, or together with transport value as properly.
How rapidly should a breakage be reported?
If an object may be repaired, how does this work?

16. Widespread language

Delivery antiques internationally requires a number of communication between the shopper and transporter. Due to this fact, it’s best to decide on a transporter who speaks the identical language – this can take away a number of issues and threat of bewilderment. Additionally, normal enterprise cultures are completely different all over the world, so it is very important work with a transporter who understands the service degree anticipated within the USA. For instance, a transporter who works within the USA time zones, in US {dollars} and can reply to questions and requests in a well timed method.  

17. Earlier than arriving

Put together upfront with a normal purchasing listing, and importantly, measurements – regardless of how stunning an merchandise is, it should match the area you take note of! Additionally, take many images of rooms in your house from all angles. Have the images prepared in your telephone – these shall be invaluable when purchasing in France.

18. The place to purchase antiques in France

Our favorite area is within the south of France. There are potentialities to buy throughout France, however we suggest coming to L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue, within the coronary heart of Provence. Not solely is it a wonderful a part of the world, however it is usually residence to the biggest vintage market exterior of Paris. There’s an distinctive vary accessible, and costs are extra forgiving than in Paris.

Have enjoyable

Do not forget that shopping for antiques from France is a pleasant, thrilling, and memorable expertise. By selecting a superb transport service supplier, the transport may also be simple and dependable.  

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

What are the important thing concerns when transporting antiques from L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France?

When deciding on an antiques transporter, use one supplier for your complete transport, ask how your particular person antiques shall be packaged, perceive the precise supply handle (Some suppliers solely ship to your nearest port), and choose a service that fits your schedule and finances.

Do I would like an importers licence to import antiques? 

No. Guarantee you choose a transport firm that may act as your import agent. There must be no extra value for this. It’s possible you’ll be required to finish some varieties for import authorities, however you’ll not want your individual importing licence. 

How do I guarantee my antiques arrive safely with out injury?

Packaging is the only most essential consider furnishings arriving safely. The bottom-cost transport suppliers sometimes use minimal packaging (akin to cling movie on fragile objects), which can be the commonest issue for breakages in transport. Not like manufactured items, antiques are irreplaceable, so high quality packaging is crucial.