France is home to Europe's largest air cargo hub, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which handled 2.1 million tonnes of cargo in 2025. As a market, France is particularly strong in segments that naturally favor air freight: luxury goods (LVMH, Kering, Hermes), aerospace (Airbus, Safran, Thales), pharmaceuticals (Sanofi), and fashion. For Chinese exporters in these industries, air freight to CDG is often the default mode rather than an expedited alternative. Our sea freight to Mediterranean ports is the primary ocean alternative for France (via Fos-sur-Mer/Marseille).
French Airport options for air cargo
| Airport | Cargo Volume | Best For | Key Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris CDG | 2.1M tonnes/yr | Europe's #1 cargo airport; all cargo types, pharma (CEIV certified), DG, express zone G1XL | Air France-KLM Cargo, China Cargo Airlines, China Southern Cargo, Cathay Pacific |
| Lyon (LYS) | ~70K tonnes/yr | Pharma (Lyon is France's pharma capital), Rhone-Alpes industrial region | Air France Cargo (regional), Emirates SkyCargo |
Airline coverage China to CDG
| Airline | Chinese Departures | Frequency | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France-KLM Cargo | PVG, PEK, HKG, CTU, WUH (Wuhan) | Daily freighters + belly | Pharma (CEIV), high-value, fashion, express |
| China Cargo Airlines | PVG, TSN | 5-7x/week | General cargo, e-commerce |
| China Southern Cargo | CAN, PVG | 4-6x/week | General cargo, DG Class 9 |
| Cathay Pacific Cargo | HKG, PVG, XMN | Daily | Pharma, perishables, high-value |
| FedEx Express | PVG, CAN, SZX | Daily (CDG is FedEx European hub) | Express, e-commerce, time-definite |
CDG Cargo Infrastructure
Paris CDG has invested significantly in specialized cargo infrastructure:
- G1XL Express Hub: 24,000 sqm dedicated express cargo terminal, Europe's largest. FedEx European hub operates here.
- Pharma Hub: IATA CEIV Pharma certified since 2014. Temperature-controlled storage from +2C to +8C, +15C to +25C, and -20C frozen. 20,000 sqm of dedicated pharma handling space.
- Cargo City 2: Modern cargo terminal complex with automated handling, DG storage zones, and bonded warehouse facilities under French customs supervision.
- Air France Cargo Station: Handles approximately 450,000 tonnes/year with specialized stations for DG, high-value, perishables, and live animals.
French customs (dgddi) for air cargo
France's customs authority, the Direction Generale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI), applies EU customs regulations with notable French-specific requirements:
- French-language documentation: Unlike Dutch or German customs, French customs requires all supporting documentation to be in French or accompanied by official French translations. This includes commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin for non-preferential imports.
- High-value cargo declaration (DV1): Consignments valued above EUR 20,000 require an additional DV1 (Declaration de Valeur) form providing detailed value breakdowns. This is unique to France and must be filed alongside the standard import declaration.
- Import VAT (TVA): Standard rate 20%. France has a unique system where import VAT can be deferred through a CIRD (Centre Interregional de la Redevance Douaniere) account, similar to the Dutch Article 23 system but with stricter eligibility requirements.
- DG imports: French DG imports require: (a) Fiche de Donnees de Securite (FDS, the French MSDS), (b) a Conseiller a la Securite (DG Safety Advisor) declaration for quantities exceeding ADR threshold limits, and (c) compliance with the French Arrete TMD (Transport de Matieres Dangereuses) regulation.
Cost Range
- General cargo (100-500 kg): $4.50 - $6.50/kg
- General cargo (500-1,000 kg): $4.00 - $5.80/kg
- General cargo (1,000+ kg): $3.60 - $5.20/kg
- Pharma (temperature-controlled): $5.50 - $8.00/kg + temp-control surcharge
- DG cargo (Class 9): $5.00 - $7.50/kg + DG surcharge
Cargo Type Recommendations
France's economy aligns particularly well with certain air freight categories from China:
- Luxury goods and fashion: France is the world's luxury capital. Packaging, accessories, and components for French luxury maisons are high-value, lightweight, and time-sensitive, classic air freight profile. CDG has specific high-value secure handling areas for luxury cargo.
- Aerospace parts: With Airbus headquartered in Toulouse, French aerospace supply chains require fast delivery of Chinese-manufactured components. CDG to TLS (Toulouse) truck connection is 7 hours or same-day air feeder.
- Pharmaceuticals: France is Europe's second-largest pharma market. CDG's CEIV-certified pharma handling and temperature-controlled storage make it the preferred entry for Chinese API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and finished pharma products.
- High-value electronics: Smartphones, luxury audio equipment, IoT devices, CDG is well-equipped with secure storage and screening for high-value electronics.
Related: Air Freight Services → | Sea Freight China-Med → | China-Europe Rail Freight →
Frequently Asked Questions
Why ship air freight to Paris CDG instead of Amsterdam or Frankfurt?
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is Europe's #1 air cargo hub by volume (2.1 million tonnes/year). It offers the best connectivity for cargo destined for France, Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy), and Francophone Africa. Air France-KLM Cargo operates the largest freighter network from China to CDG. Additionally, CDG has the largest dedicated express cargo zone in Europe (G1XL, 24,000 sqm) and was one of the world's first airports to earn IATA CEIV Pharma certification (2014). For goods destined for the French market, clearing customs in France is mandatory and CDG clearance avoids inter-EU border documentation.
What DG cargo can I ship by air to France?
France follows IATA DGR for air cargo DG shipments. Accepted classes include Class 9 (lithium batteries with UN38.3 test and 30% SoC limit), Class 3 (flammable liquids, limited quantities), Class 8 (corrosives), and with carrier approval, certain Class 5.1 and Class 6.1 substances. France requires a French-language Fiche de Donnees de Securite (FDS) and a Conseiller a la Securite declaration for DG consignments exceeding ADR threshold quantities. The French Arrete TMD regulation governs domestic transport of DG from CDG to final destination.
What specific French customs requirements apply to air cargo?
French Customs (DGDDI) requires: (1) all documentation in French or with French translation, this is strictly enforced; (2) a DV1 (Declaration de Valeur) for consignments above EUR 20,000; (3) DG imports require a French FDS and Conseiller a la Securite certification; (4) import VAT (TVA) is 20% standard rate, payable at clearance unless the importer holds a CIRD deferment account. Unlike AMS where English-language documents are accepted, French customs will reject declarations submitted in English without French translation.
How does CDG compare to FRA for pharma air freight?
Both CDG and FRA hold IATA CEIV Pharma certification, but CDG has some distinct advantages: (1) CDG was the first global airport to earn CEIV Pharma (2014) and has the most mature pharma handling processes; (2) CDG has 20,000 sqm of dedicated pharma storage with full temperature-range capability; (3) Air France Cargo has the largest dedicated pharma freighter network from China; (4) France is Europe's second-largest pharmaceutical market by revenue, so CDG pharma consignments are often final-destination rather than transit. FRA remains strong for pharma transit to Central and Eastern Europe.