France – the land of wine, cheese, and fashion, but also an incredibly important hub in European logistics! For many transport companies, including Polish ones, the French direction is not just an opportunity for growth, but also a challenge that requires excellent knowledge of regulations and adaptation to changing realities. If you're considering expanding your business into this market, this article is for you!

Why is this direction so important?

France is one of the largest economies in Europe and the seventh in the world in terms of GDP. Its strategic location makes it a key point on Europe's transport map. This makes it an extremely important trading partner for Polish entrepreneurs. In 2024 alone, trade turnover between Poland and France exceeded 142 billion PLN, positioning France among the top Polish economic partners. Importantly, road transport dominates in France – over 87% of all goods are transported by lorries.

Thousands of completed transport orders to/from France

As a company with many years of experience, we know all the regulations, requirements, and specifics of the French transport market very well. This allows us to offer clients comprehensive service – from route planning, through document preparation, to efficient execution of transport. Thanks to our knowledge of French transport realities, we can guarantee safe and timely deliveries, minimizing the risk of problems with inspections and penalties.

Monthly number of orders executed by SKAT Transport to/from France.

What do we most often transport to and from France?

From Poland, we most often transport machinery and mechanical/electrical devices, automotive parts, and plastics. From France, the dominant items are cars, cosmetics, and chemical products.

It is important to remember about cabotage, which is a significant element of the market. Polish carriers can only perform one cabotage transport within 3 days of entry without a load. Penalties for violating this limit can reach up to 15,000 EUR!

French regulations: What do you need to keep in mind?

France is known for its rigorous inspections, which is why proper preparation is so important.

• Mandatory documents: community license, international CMR waybill, and all vehicle and driver documents (including the required certificate of social insurance - A1).
  
  

• Rules for delegating drivers. According to the Mobility Package, reporting delegated drivers in international transport is done through the international IMI (Internal Market Information System). Since February 2, 2022, for most transport operations, all necessary information is sent electronically via this European portal.

  However, it is important to remember the obligation to pay the French minimum wage to the delegated drivers, according to applicable regulations.
  
  

• Mandatory vehicle equipment: warning triangle and reflective vests are essential. Also, remember about the stickers indicating blind spots (for vehicles over 3.5 tons), which have been required recently.
  
  

• Emission norms and low emission zones (LEZ). All vehicles must have Eco Crit'Air vignettes. LEZ apply in many cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Strasbourg. Lack of a sticker incurs a fine of 68 EUR.
  
  

• Tolls and traffic restrictions. In France, there is no vignette system – fees are charged based on distance and vehicle category, averaging about 8-9 EUR per 100 km on the motorway.
  
  

• Traffic restrictions for vehicles over 7.5 tons:

  • On Sundays and holidays: from 00:00 to 22:00.

  • On Saturdays: from 22:00 to 24:00.

  • In 2025, also keep in mind the holiday restrictions on Saturdays: July 5, 12, 19, 26, and August 2, 16, 23.

    
    

How is the future shaping French transport?

Transport in France, while promising, entails certain challenges. The main ones are rigorous inspections and high penalties, driver shortages (it is estimated that about 45,000 are needed) and market entry barriers.

However, the future looks optimistic. The French government is actively supporting the logistics sector through initiatives such as the "Logistics Plan 2025" and "France 2030". In transport, digitization plays an increasingly important role, including the adoption of e-CMR, advanced GPS tracking systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

No less important is the decarbonization policy. France aims for an ambitious goal to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. This is supported by subsidies for electric vehicles (up to 90,000 EUR for a tractor), infrastructure development for charging, and the promotion of biofuels and intermodal transport.

Summary

Freight transport in the direction of France is a demanding area, where the key to success is excellent knowledge of regulations and investments in modern technologies. Ongoing monitoring of changes and a proactive approach are essential to avoid costly mistakes and ensure the smooth flow of deliveries.

Do you have questions or need support in organizing transport to France? Contact us! As specialists in the French route, we are here to help your company meet any challenge.

Ewelina Grygorczyk
Commercial Specialist
e.grygorczyk@skat.com.pl