How to send a letter to France

How to address and send post to another country — the address layout, postage, delivery times and what you can and can’t send.

France

Sending post to France
Full name on envelopeRequired
Delivery time5–12 business days typical.
PostageLettre, Colis, Recommande, EMS.
Postcode5-digit postcode (e.g., 75002).

✉️ Addressing the envelope

Address layout
Nom complet
Numero et voie
NNNNN VILLE
FRANCE
Example
Claire Martin
12 Rue de la Paix
75002 PARIS
FRANCE
More examples
Cedex:
Sophie Bernard
10 Avenue de France
75013 PARIS CEDEX 13
FRANCE
Full name
Required
Full name required.
Postcode
5-digit postcode (e.g., 75002).
Language
French; uppercase city; minimal punctuation.

📮 Sending

Postage methods
Lettre, Colis, Recommande, EMS.
Delivery times
5–12 business days typical.

⏱️ How long letters take to reach France

From anywhere
about 9 days (730 letters)
Within France
about 4 days (53 letters)
From USA
about 13 days (151 letters)
From United Kingdom
about 6 days (106 letters)
From Australia
about 2 weeks (45 letters)
From Germany
about 8 days (38 letters)
From Canada
about 10 days (31 letters)

Based on letters our members logged and marked as received over the last two years, using the quicker letters on each route. A letter may arrive sooner: members don’t always mark a letter as received as soon as it arrives.

🛃 Customs and restrictions

Customs
CN22/CN23 for goods (non-EU origin).
Restrictions
Standard dangerous goods restrictions.

💡 Tips

Postcode before city; use CEDEX if provided.
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