Britannia Robbins are specialists in removals to France, with trucks leaving for the continent weekly. We serve the whole of South and West Wales, including Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and beyond. Our key services include full house moves, part-loads (known as groupage), expert packing, storage, and insurance.
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Key facts for people moving to France from the UK
More detailed information is below, but at a glance, here are some important things to know when you’re planning to relocate to France.
• Removals to France can take anywhere from 2 days to several weeks.
• It is often possible to import your belongings to France without paying duty or VAT if you are moving your main home.
• The most cost-effective way to move to France is via a part-load service.
• Documentation needed will include a copy of your passport and visa (where applicable, evidence that you are settling in France, and a detailed inventory).
Moving to France from the UK – a step-by-step guide
Organising your removal to France is straightforward if you work with an experienced and professional company. The Britannia Robbins moving process is designed to take the stress out of your move to France, leaving you free to enjoy it.
1. We carry out a free moving home survey via a house visit or a video call. During this survey, we discuss your requirements and what you would like to move.
2. We help you choose between a ‘Designated Service’ and a ‘Part Load’ service (explained below).
3. We provide a full and detailed quotation. Once you are happy with the details and have a confirmed moving date, you accept the quote and pay a deposit so we can book you in.
4. Our experienced office staff support you to complete the required EU import documentation.
5. Our highly-trained crews come to your house to pack your belongings. We always prefer to export wrap and prepare your items before shipping. This way, we can make sure the goods are packed professionally & inventoried accurately. Whilst we are packing, we also advise you on any items that may cause issues at customs. Fragile and valuable items such as pianos, art, and antiques will be specially wrapped or crated for transit.
6. If you have a gap between leaving your UK property and moving into your new home, we can provide storage. For customers moving to France, we offer two weeks free storage at our depot in the UK. We can also organise storage local to your new home in France if preferred.
7. When you are ready, our vehicle travels to France to deliver your belongings.
8. Furniture is unwrapped and placed in the correct rooms, and fragile items are unpacked and checked for damage.
Designated service removals to France
With a designated service, your goods are loaded into a truck that then travels directly to your new home in France to unload. This is the quickest option and is perfect for full house moves, or items that are needed quickly.
Part load removals to France
A part load removal combined your goods with other consignments. When we have a full vehicle, the route is planned, and our crew deliver multiple shipments in one trip. This is a lower-cost option and is ideal for smaller loads, but it does take a bit longer.
Our services for people moving from Wales to France
Established in 1907, Britannia Robbins is now a fourth-generation removals company. We’re still family-owned and run, and we really are the European moving experts in South Wales. We offer a comprehensive range of removals services.
• Export packing and crating where required.
• Furniture dismantling and reassembly.
• Support with documentation and customs clearance.
• Transit – we offer both dedicated vehicles for large moves, and regular groupage loads for individual items or smaller consignments.
• Storage – either in the UK, or locally in France with one of our trusted partners.
• Vehicle shipping – ideal if you want to move your car to France, but would prefer not to drive it there.
• Full international transit insurance.
• Currency exchange and pet relocation via our carefully vetted supplier companies.
• Removals from Europe to the UK.
With such a wide range of services, all of our moves are tailor-made to suit your specific requirements.
Optional services from our partner companies
Currency transfer for people moving to France
Most people moving to France will need help exchanging their money from pounds to euros. When you are transferring large sums, tiny changes in exchange rates can make a huge difference to the amount you receive.
That’s why for over a decade we have been recommending IFX Payments to our customers. IFX advise on currency fluctuations, and help you pick the right moment to exchange your money, potentially saving you huge sums when compared to high street banks.
They are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), their pricing is transparent, and all funds are safeguarded, giving you peace of mind. If you would like to find out more from IFX, you can contact them on 020 7495 8888.
Moving to France with your pets
If you need some support moving your four-legged friends to France, we recommend PetAir UK to help you with the logistics. Led by vets and with decades of experience, they can help with everything from vaccinations to pet transport. For more information, visit our pet relocation page, or contact 01725 551124.
Customs and documentation for removals to France
Since Brexit, there is a lot of paperwork involved in moving to France. However, your goods should be eligible for duty-free entry providing that you can demonstrate the following:
• You have been living outside of France for at least 12 months.
• You are moving your main residence.
• Your belongings have been owned and used for at least 6 months.
• You complete the transfer of your goods within 12 months of moving to France.
• You commit to not divesting yourself of the goods (selling, leasing, loaning or gifting them) for 12 months from their date of entry into France.
The above would allow you to obtain a Cerfa N. 10070 document and get duty-free entry to France for your belongings.
If you cannot demonstrate the above, or if you are relocating goods to a secondary residence, then customs duty, VAT and any additional taxes will be payable on your move. Our staff can advise you further on this, and more information can be found on the French Customs website. Please note that duty will always be payable on certain items, including products containing alcohol and products containing tobacco. Commercial vehicles and equipment for professional use are also subject to fees.
Documentation required for a move to France
In addition to documents proving that the above requirements are met, our team will work with you to compile and complete the paperwork needed for customs clearance, which includes:
• A copy of your passport, and visa/permit if applicable
• A detailed inventory, written in French and including values in Euros
• Evidence to prove that you are settling in France i.e. a job offer / a French lease agreement or property deed
• Proof of your entry into France i.e. a plane or ferry ticket
Moving your vehicle to France – key steps
If you wish to move a UK-registered vehicle to France as part of your move, we can help. You will need to go through the following process to permanently relocate and register your vehicle in France.
1. Obtain a Customs Clearance Certificate (Certificat de Dédouanement -846A). To apply you’ll need a customs declaration (déclaration d’entrée), ID, proof of previous UK residency, proof of purchase, and proof of ownership via your V5C document.
2. Provide documents for your French address to prove residency.
3. Get a Certificate of Conformity (Certificat de Conformité) to prove the vehicle meets EU standards. These are usually provided new with the car, but can also be requested from the manufacturer.
4. Within one month of arrival, use all of the above documents to apply for a Carte Grise (registration certificate). This can be done online via the ANTS website (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés).
5. You will need a Crit’Air Sticker to drive in any of France’s low emission zones.
6. Let the DVLA know that you have exported your car. You may get a road tax refund.
You won’t need to pay tax and duty if you meet the following criteria.
• You are moving your main residence
• The vehicle is more than 6 months old, and must have been owned and used for at least 6 months
• You have paid UK VAT on the purchase
• You will not sell the vehicle within 12 months
If you can’t meet that criteria, you may need to pay 10% import duty and 20% VAT on the value of the vehicle. Our staff can advise you further.
Removals to France – FAQs
How much does it cost to move to France?
The cost of a removal to France depends on the volume of goods moved and the distance travelled. However, we also have to calculate the cost of any special access requirements our vehicle may need, plus optional services such as packing, furniture dismantling / reassembly, and handling especially fragile or valuable items. You can use our instant online quote generator to obtain a very rough guide price. However, we always carry out a full survey to provide an accurate quotation.
What is the cheapest way to move to France?
The most cost-effective way to move to France is to use a part-load, or groupage service. This is perfect for smaller consignments which are not time-sensitive. If your goods won’t fill a vehicle on their own, we can group them with other shipments until we have a full truck. This means the cost of the trip is shared between customers, which reduces the price. However, it also delays the delivery and requires more flexibility from the customer.
How long does a removal to France take?
A removal to France can take anywhere from 2 days to several weeks. The timescale will depend on your destination, and whether you opt for a designated service or a part-load option. When estimating timescales, please remember that:
• Our vehicles are speed-limited, so can’t travel as fast as a car
• Our drivers have to comply with drivers’ hours rules and take regular breaks
• In France it is illegal to drive large trucks on Sundays, on public holidays, and on some Saturdays during the summer – this can cause delays.
What documents are needed for a house move to France?
In order to complete your move, we will always need a copy of your passport and visa (where appropriate). Our expert team will then support you to compile and complete all of the import paperwork and customs forms that are relevant to your circumstances. Typically, this includes the Cerfa N. 10070 for a duty-free transfer of your main residence to France.
Are there any restrictions on what I can take when I move to France?
Some items are prohibited or restricted from import into France. These include weapons and ammunition; inflammable substances; foodstuffs; alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics; and indecent material. In addition, items containing plants and soil will require a phytosanitary certificate. If that is not available, they should be excluded from your consignment.
What insurance is needed for a house removal to France?
When you are moving to France, you will need a marine insurance policy. Don’t be fooled by the name – this is the correct type of insurance for any international move, by sea, road or air. Britannia Robbins can offer marine insurance policies from basic to comprehensive, or if preferred, you can arrange your own cover and then show us a copy of the insurance certificate. International moving is complex, and sometimes things go wrong that are completely outside of our control. That’s why we strongly recommend comprehensive insurance for all customers moving to France.
Moving from Wales to France made easy
To begin your removal to France, simply contact us to book your free survey.
01792 584229
info@britanniarobbins.co.uk
Use our ‘Request a quotation‘ form and we’ll call you back
We will arrange for one of surveyors to visit your home and assess your move requirements, then produce a detailed quotation. Alternatively, for smaller consignments, if you know the volume of your goods we can usually provide you with a quote over the phone.
- Download a pdf of our Removals to France Brochure
- Download a pdf of our Moving to France Checklist