The Complete Removals Guide

The cost of moving from the UK to France depends on the volume of your belongings, the distance to your French destination, the time of year, and the services you choose.

Here is a realistic cost guide for 2024.

A studio or one-bedroom flat typically costs between £800 and £1,400 for a basic load-and-deliver service.

A two-bedroom home ranges from £1,400 to £2,200. A three-bedroom house generally runs between £2,000 and £3,200. A four-bedroom or larger property can cost from £3,000 to £5,000 or more, particularly for long-distance destinations such as the south of France.

These prices cover the vehicle, fuel, the ferry or tunnel crossing, a two-person crew, and basic insurance.

Optional add-ons that affect price include full packing and unpacking (typically £300 to £600 extra), specialist crating for antiques or artwork, and storage if your French property is not ready on moving day.

Moving in summer, particularly July and August, attracts peak-season rates because demand is high.

Booking at least six to eight weeks in advance helps you secure both a good date and a better price. Midweek moves are generally cheaper than Friday or Monday departures.

Call Giant Van on for a precise, no-obligation quote based on a video or in-home survey of your belongings.

A detailed survey ensures you are not paying for space you do not need.

The UK's departure from the European Union changed the rules around moving personal belongings from the UK to France.

Understanding these changes helps you avoid delays at customs.

Before Brexit, moving personal effects from the UK to France was treated as an internal EU movement with no customs formalities.

Now, your belongings cross an international border and must be declared. The good news is that personal effects relief, known in France as Franchise de droits et taxes, means you pay no import duty or VAT on household goods you have owned for at least six months, provided you can show you were resident in the UK and are establishing permanent residence in France.

To claim this relief, you need to complete a Cerfa 10070 form, also known as the Carnet de demenagement, which is a detailed inventory of all your belongings.

Giant Van provides this form and guides you through completing it accurately. You will also need proof of UK residence (utility bills, bank statements) and proof of your French address (tenancy agreement or property purchase deed).

Items you have owned for less than six months, brand-new goods, alcohol, tobacco, and motor vehicles follow different rules and may attract duty or VAT.

Discuss any such items with Giant Van before your move so we can advise you correctly.

Processing at customs is usually quick when paperwork is complete and accurate, and experienced removal teams cross the border regularly, which helps keep things moving.