France is the world’s sixth-largest economy with a highly sophisticated and diversified consumer base while being Singapore’s thirteenth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at S$20 billion in 2020. According to Trading Economics, Singapore’s exports to France amounted to S$459.2 in July 2022. It is thus clear that France serves as an attractive option for Singapore exporters who want to start exporting to France and expand their business.
Keep reading to find things you should know before exporting goods to France, any France import taxes on Singapore goods, which products hold potential for export, and how DHL Express can help your business export overseas.
How To Send A Parcel From Singapore To France
The European Union Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) is the free trade agreement between France and Singapore, which came into force in November 2019. Under this agreement, the EU will remove France's duties and taxes on 84% of all Singapore products entering the EU during the first year, and the remaining 16% over a period of 3 to 5 years. The unnecessary technical barriers to trade (TBT) will also be removed between the two countries.
If you want to send a parcel from Singapore to France, here are some crucial considerations.
Check Your Product’s HS Code To See If You Can Enjoy Tariff Concessions
Check if your product’s HS code is included in the tariff schedule of the EU. If included, France's customs fee elimination will apply based on the respective staging categories. If the HS code is not included in the schedule, France's customs tariff will be eliminated under the EUSFTA.
Find Out The Rules Of Origin Criteria For Your Product
Find out the rules of origin criteria for your product using its HS code to determine if it fulfils the requirements and qualifies for import duty France concessions under the EUSFTA.
Apply For Tariff Concession
Once you are sure that you qualify for tariff concessions, you will submit a certificate of origin to the importing country’s customs authority to enjoy the tariff concessions on France’s customs duty rates.
Understand the Process Of Export
To export your products, you must follow the following steps:
Register with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to obtain a Unique Entity Number (UEN).
Activate your customs account.
Check your products by using their HS codes to see if they do not fall in the controlled or prohibited goods category.
Obtain a Customs Export Permit through TradeNet.
Prepare the necessary documents for cargo clearance. These documents will include the bill of lading, air waybill, invoice, export permit, certificate of origin of products, and other supporting documents.
Import Taxes And Laws On Singapore Goods
Although most customs duty and import taxes have been eliminated for Singapore exports under the EUSFTA, the value-added tax (VAT) still applies to imported goods. The standard French import VAT rate is 20%; reduced rates may apply for specific products, including certain foodstuffs, non-alcoholic beverages and pharmaceuticals.
Top Products Exported From Singapore To France
The top products that Singapore exported to France in 2020 were:
Electronic equipment
Pearls, precious stones, and coins
Aircraft
Pharmaceutical products
Nuclear reactors, boilers, and machinery
Oils
Mineral fuels and distillation products
Medical and optical apparatus
Commodities
Chemicals
Plastics
Leather and raw skins
Essential oils, cosmetics, toiletries, perfumes
Vehicles and their parts
Some of the goods to consider exporting from Singapore to France are mechanical, electronic and computer equipment, which makes up the bulk of its imports. The next sector that holds potential for exports is transport equipment, followed by aeronautics and the automobile industry.
Singapore exporters also have potential in chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics, agro-food industry products, metallurgical and metal products, textiles, leather, jewellery, toys, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and rubber and plastic products.
Restricted And Prohibited Goods
While you explore the top products above, it is also important to pay attention to goods that are restricted and prohibited in France. Prohibited goods are not allowed entry, while restricted items can only clear customs with the relevant authorisation.
Prohibited goods include:
Narcotics and psychotropic drugs
Counterfeit products
Attack dogs
Pedophile products and objects
Restricted goods include:
- Weapon or ammunition
- Meat, meat products and dairy products
- Plant and plant products
- Endangered species
- Live animals and animal-based products
- Cultural goods
How DHL Express Can Help You Export To France
DHL Express is your trusted and reliable partner when shipping from Singapore to France. The process of DHL Singapore to France shipping is straightforward:
Create a DHL Air Waybill that holds all the tracking and shipping information of the parcel.
Create a shipping invoice containing all information about the package and its contents. The invoice serves as a means by which the importing country’s customs authorities are informed about products and goods coming into their country.
Pack your products in appropriate packaging boxes based on the shipment’s dimensions and weight.
Hand over your shipment to DHL Express for shipping.
DHL Express provides a vast range of international courier services at preferential rates, which you can leverage when sending parcels to France. With an extensive network covering 220 countries and territories, DHL Express ensures that your shipments will reach their destinations overseas. Apply for a business account with DHL Express today and explore how we can help you export from Singapore to overseas.
