Shipping Those Goodies Home
Scored big at the marché aux puces but don't want to go to the expense of working with a professional shipper? Here are some options to do it yourself.
You’re in Paris with your friends, you decided to hit the flea markets in Porte de Clignancourt, and you’ve scored big time. Those treasures you’ve always dreamed of finding are just too good to pass up. The problem is they’re now piling up in your hotel room.
Hunting for deals in the Paris flea markets is as French as your morning croissant, something akin to sport, and not an activity to be missed when traveling to the city of lights. As many a seasoned shopper will tell you, if you see something you must grab it right then and there! On our first trip back in 2000, we bought a set of five copper saucepans that had to be carried through Europe for the next two months, then stuffed in an overhead compartment on our flight home!
What if your purchases are just all too much to conveniently check at the airport, but not enough to engage a transporter as we’ve written about in a previous article?
Well, if you’re an adventurous DIYer you have some options.
DHL Boutique
DHL is by far the more economical place in Paris to ship to the U.S. When looking for a location in Paris (access the locator here), be aware there are DHL Boutiques and DHL Express Service Points. A Boutique is a branded DHL store, while a Service Point is a third party affiliate, usually a market or phone repair shop.
Margot Mayer of Curio Shop in Brooklyn (Instagram: @curioshop_) recommends using DHL Boutique Opera to ship her packages door to door overnight.
As of this writing DHL Opera has moved to DHL Express La Boétie 30 rue la Boétie
Open 10:00am - 7:30pm Monday through Friday (closed Saturday and Sunday)
Packing materials are available in store for purchase
You may present your items wrapped but not sealed in a box
Duties, Tarrifs, and Taxes are determined at US Customs and are billed separately, usually after the shipment has been received
Using DHL’s estimator (access it here), a 20lb box measuring roughly 16” x 14” x 14” from Paris to Chicago was just under $200 for a five day delivery, excluding packing materials
FedEx
Although FedEx France boasts of 306 locations throughout Paris, The FedEx World Service Center located at 63 Boulevard Houseman in the 8th arrondisement is the only “branded” location. All others are third party affiliates that also sell things like mobile phones, phone cards, etc.
Open Monday thru Friday 9:30am -7:30pm (closed Saturday and Sunday)
Packing materials are available in store for purchase
Ship Priority Express, Priority or Economy
Shipping fees are typically more than DHL
Duties, Tarrifs, and Taxes are determined at US Customs and are billed separately, usually after the shipment has been received
An inbound processing fee of about $2.75 is charged to clear US Customs
Using FedEx’s online estimator (access it here), a 20lb box from Paris to Chicago overnight via Priority Express came to a whopping $558.00, excluding packing materials.
Carrying Them Home
Believe it or not, carrying your purchases home is a little easier than you might think! Research the costs of checking a second bag with your airline before you travel. When we’re in France, we bring a very lightweight nylon duffel bag — and use it to pack our clothes on the return trip, and use the carry on for antiques. If there’s still room needed, a canvas shopping bag can suffice as well! We’ve found this to be a tried and true method…however it might necessitate a trip to one of the dozens of Office Depots throughout Paris for bubblewrap. Click the link here to access the locator!
The Bottom Line
While carrying vintage treasures home yourself is ideal, sending them ahead via international carrier doesn't have to break the bank if you choose carefully. For most travelers, DHL comes out as the clear winner for value, offering reliable cross-Atlantic shipping at a fraction of FedEx's rates. Stick to official branded centers rather than third-party affiliates for the best selection of packing materials and customer support—and don't forget to budget a little extra for US Customs duties when your box arrives at your doorstep.