France offers expats and foreign immigrants a rich cultural heritage, renowned cuisines, exceptional quality of life, a lively atmosphere and access to arts, education, and entertainment. The French working culture and its strategic location at the doorstep of Europe’s most vibrant economic zones makes it an ideal destination for many international workers.
Given everything the country has to offer, it’s no surprise that more and more expats and Kenyan nationals are choosing to make the country their permanent home.
Before packing your bags and boarding a plane to France, however, there are some essential factors you need to keep in mind.
1. Visas and Residency Permits for Expats Moving to France
French visa and residency requirements vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your move to France. A work visa is recommendable if you’re moving for work, especially if you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen. The most common work visas include;
- Schengen or short-stay visas – allows only stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business visits.
- Long-stay or visa long de Séjour – allows stays of more than 90 days for work, study, or family reunifications. It must be renewed annually.
If you’re looking to work and live in France legally, it’s necessary to obtain a residence permit or titre de Sejour, issued as a physical card or Carte de Sejour. The application process involves submitting documents such as proof of accommodation, financial stability, and health insurance.
The French government sets eligibility requirements and application processes for international employees relocating to France for work.
2. Customs and Imports Rules for France
Relocating to France under the EU Transfer of Residence rules allows you to import personal household effects duty-free. To qualify, you must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months and be moving your primary, permanent residence to France.
Some documents you must provide for customs clearance include;
- Detailed packing list
- Bill of Lading
- Change of Residence certificate issued by the French Local Embassy at Origin
- EU Transfer of Residence declaration
- Passport and valid French residence permit or titre de Sejour
- Marine insurance certificate
- Proof of overseas residence for 12+ months
3. The Step-by-Step Moving Process to France
Free Home Survey and Quotation
Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.
The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.
Documentation and Planning
One you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents such as the EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Franchise du demenagement), Bill of Lading, and detailed packing lists with the guidance of your move coordinator.
Professional Packing
Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.
Loading and Transportation
Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under close supervision by Nellions. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.
International Transit
Your shipment travels to Le Havre or Marseille. Le Havre is France’s largest container port and typically provides faster clearance than Marseille. France is one of Nellions’ highest-volume European corridors with well-established agent partnerships.
Sea transit to France takes 68-80 days while air freight takes 5-15 days. You will receive your Bill of Lading and tracking details.
Destination Customs Clearance
Nellions has partners in France that handle all import customs clearance including EU Transfer of Residence Declaration submission, duty assessment (if applicable), and port release. They will be coordinating directly with you on delivery timing.
Delivery to Your New Home
Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address in France. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances.
Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.
The Best Movers to France: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Planning and executing an international move from Kenya to France can be a tedious and overwhelming task. This is especially true when you’re unfamiliar with French customs requirements and the shipping logistics involved.
To ensure a smooth transition free from preventable mishaps, it’s advisable to hire an experienced international moving company. Nellions Moving and Relocations Company is an IAM-certified mover that provides expert packing, customs agency services, and door-to-door delivery to simplify your move.
With Nellions as your moving partner, your move from Kenya to France can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Get your free moving quote today. Call us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to France
Sea freight from Mombasa to Le Havre or Marseille takes 60-85 days. Total door-to-door including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, destination port clearance, and final delivery is typically 6–10 weeks. Air freight takes 10-15 days flight time.
Key documents include: a detailed packing list, Bill of Lading, EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Franchise du demenagement), passport copy, valid France residence or immigration documentation, and a marine insurance certificate. Nellions prepares all documentation as part of a full-service move.
Yes. Nellions coordinates all destination customs clearance through our established partner network in France. Our destination agents handle EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Franchise du demenagement) submission, import duty assessment, and port-to-home delivery — so you do not need to manage this yourself.
Yes. Nellions arranges vehicle shipping from Kenya to France either via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels or in a container. A separate vehicle quotation is provided. Import duties, registration requirements, and any vehicle modifications required in France will be advised by our destination agent.
