Transport to France – route realities and key information

France occupies a strategic position on the European logistics map, sitting at the intersection of numerous transport corridors. It is also one of Poland’s leading economic partners, and road transport plays a major role in the exchange of goods between the two countries – as much as 87% of them are transported by truck.

Transport to France – cargo and documents

What goods are most commonly transported from Poland to France? These include machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as automotive parts and plastics. In transport from France to Poland, cars, chemical products and cosmetics are the dominant cargo types. It is also important to remember that Polish companies may carry out no more than one cabotage operation within 3 days of entering the country with an empty vehicle. Otherwise, they may face a financial penalty of EUR 15,000.

Transport to France requires the preparation of the appropriate documents. These include:

• a Community licence,
• an international CMR consignment note,
• vehicle and driver documents, including the A1 certificate confirming the payment of social security contributions.

Transport to France and the applicable regulations

Under the Mobility Package applicable in France, drivers travelling to France are subject to a set of procedures, including electronic notification through the IMI system. They should receive at least the French minimum wage. From 1 June 2026, the SMIC rate will increase to EUR 12.31 per hour, while the minimum monthly salary will amount to EUR 1,867.02 gross.

It is also worth knowing that transport to France does not require a vignette. Tolls are charged for motorway use, and their amount depends on the vehicle category. The average cost is EUR 8–9 per 100 km. In low-emission zones (LEZs), a Crit’Air sticker is required. Failure to display the sticker may result in a fine of EUR 68. As recently as 2024, there were plans to extend ZFE zones to 43 cities, but in 2025 parliament voted to abolish them. However, until the end of 2026, a temporary pass remains available for vehicles in the Crit’Air 3 category, allowing entry into the zone on 24 days.

Transport to France – traffic restrictions and seasonality

France applies numerous traffic bans to vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes. Both permanent restrictions, covering weekends and public holidays, and additional winter and summer bans must be taken into account. The permanent traffic ban applies, among other times, on weekends and public holidays – from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, and on public holidays from 10:00 p.m. on the preceding day until 10:00 p.m. on the holiday itself.

Transport to France is more difficult in summer due to increased tourist traffic. Additional restrictions apply during this period. On 11, 18 and 25 July, as well as on 8 August 2026, a nationwide traffic ban was introduced between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., excluding vehicles transporting live animals, medical cargo or perishable goods.

In winter, restrictions are introduced in the Alpine region to reduce traffic on roads leading to ski resorts. They mainly affect the A40, A41, A43 and A48 routes, as well as access roads to Chamonix, Tarentaise, Maurienne, Grenoble and Chambéry.

Summer and winter restrictions significantly affect road availability and the capacity of the transport network. During winter, icy conditions and the mandatory use of snow chains may cause delays. In summer, heavy tourist traffic and additional bans lead to congestion and the need to divert around certain road sections. Planning should include time buffers for possible traffic jams, inspections and vehicle downtime during traffic bans. When calculating delivery times, it is advisable to allow an additional 1–2 days, especially for transport to Alpine regions or during the peak holiday season.

Transport from Poland to France – ferries and intermodal transport

Although most transport from Poland to France takes place by road, intermodal transport is becoming increasingly popular, especially when the final destination is the United Kingdom or Ireland. The ferry network between France and the United Kingdom includes as many as 38 freight routes operated by 6 shipping lines. An alternative is the railway tunnel under the English Channel, where trucks are loaded onto railway wagons. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes, while a ferry crossing takes around 45 minutes.

Transport to France – fuel prices and parking costs

According to the IRU report dated 19 June 2026, the price of Brent crude oil fell to approximately USD 80 per barrel, providing some relief for carriers – the average price of diesel fuel in the EU was EUR 1.783 per litre. Despite the decrease, this was still 9% higher than before the crisis in February 2022.

Numerous traffic bans increase demand for secure parking facilities. In 2026, a new guarded truck parking facility was opened near the A26 motorway in Saint-Hilaire-Cottes. It offers 100 parking spaces, 24-hour monitoring and sanitary facilities. The first 30 minutes are free of charge, and the EUR 8.5 million investment forms part of a parking network expansion programme, under which another 800 spaces are planned by 2028. In cities, particularly Paris, truck parking is expensive. For example, in Paris parking zone 1, covering shopping and tourist areas, the rates in 2018 were EUR 12 per hour, while in zone 2 they amounted to EUR 7.20 per hour.

Transport to France with Express Heroes

Express Heroes operates routes to France, among other destinations, working with carriers under transparent terms that include a guaranteed mileage of at least 11,000 km and competitive per-kilometre rates. Payments are made quickly – even within 3 days of completing the service. Starting the partnership requires only basic formalities. Each carrier receives support from an experienced freight forwarder who ensures an individual approach, rapid information flow and route optimisation.

Express Heroes provides transport to France for cargo such as industrial goods, automotive components, construction materials and food products. High demand on this route enables regular journeys and a stable schedule. Working with Express Heroes removes the need for carriers to search for new orders every day. The company negotiates terms with customers, allowing carriers to focus on completing their routes.