Best Way to Ship Boxes & Oversized Items to France Fast | Air Freight Pallets & Crates

Ship Oversized Items to France Without a Full Container

Many people moving to France or sending belongings overseas face the same problem: a few bulky items are too large for checked luggage but don’t justify a 20 or 40 foot container. Air freight pallets and crates are a practical middle ground. They’re faster than sea freight, often safer for fragile items, and can be more cost effective than paying for a small cube or partial container that you must pack yourself. Keep in mind that I paid $11,000 for a 20' container from Houston to France and it took 7 weeks to arrive.

Why Choose Air Freight Pallets or Crates

• Speed: Air freight typically delivers in 7 to 10 days versus 1 to 3 months by sea.

• Zero exposure to mold: Shorter transit time removes the risk of mold, eliminating the need for extra mold insurance.

• Better protection for fragile items: Less handling and shorter exposure to the elements reduces risk for delicate belongings. You still need to pack correctly. Our movers did not pack our air freight well when we had a company sponsored move to Houston and it shattered our iMac.

• Shipping is always door to door : Shipping is always door to door. Expat Shipping using fedex to get your items to the airport, so if you can receive a fedex delivery, they can service your shipment.

• Flexible sizing: Pallets and crates can accommodate a wide range of items from sports gear to furniture and electronics.

• Packing List : The packing list can be much simpler for air freight, usually 6-7 broad categories.

Typical Costs and Real Examples

• Estimated price per pallet: $2,100 to $2,400 for a pallet sized roughly 48 x 40 x 60 inches and 700 pounds, depending on origin, destination.

• Multiple pallets: Shipping two or more pallets usually lowers the per-pallet cost because of economies of scale. Two pallets of 48 x 40 x 60 inches with a combined weight of 1400 pounds would be under $4000. You can also have one lighter pallet that offsets a heavier pallet when shipping multiple pallets keeping the optimal weight / space ratio for better pricing.

• Client examples: One client paid over $6,000 for a sea freight cube they had to pack themselves. Another client shipped two pallets to France via air freight with Expat Shipping for ~ $4,000 and was very satisfied with the service from Expat Shipping.

• No Surprises : If your dimensions and weight is correct and your customs paperwork is in order, there will be no financial surprises with your shipment.

• Small shipments: If you only have a few boxes, Expat Shipping can handle moving boxes at a much lower cost than UPS or Fedex without a full pallet, but if you’re close to pallet size, shipping a pallet usually gives a better price.

Pallet and Crate Options and Sizes

• Standard pallet size example: 48 x 40 x 60 inches. This size fits a surprising amount of household goods.

• Crate options: Crates can be built to different sizes and offer more protection and packing efficiency. Popular crate sizes include 60 x 48 x 48 inches and 84 x 48 x 48 inches. See standard wood crate options at Uline: https://www.uline.com/BL_427/Standard-Wood-Crates.

• What to pack: Use clothing, linens, and soft goods to fill gaps and cushion fragile items. Items commonly sent this way include photo albums, sports equipment, clothing, ski jackets, gaming computers, office chairs, and artwork.

Packing Tips to Maximize Value

• Fill voids with soft items to prevent shifting. If you are shipping fragile items, you can put clothes around them to optimize the space versus packing peanuts.

• Disassemble furniture where possible to save space or if you are shipping a dresser fill it up with clothes to optimize the space.

• Label and inventory every pallet or crate for customs and easier delivery.

• Use sturdy crates for irregular or fragile items to get a tighter fit and better protection.

Air Freight Versus Sea Freight Quick Comparison

Transit Time :

Air freight pallets and crates: 7 to 10 days.

Sea freight container: 1 to 3 months.

Cost for small loads :

Air freight: Higher cost per cubic foot but often more economical for partial loads or a few pallets. Yes, it can be cheaper to send a pallet via air freight than sea freight in some circumstances.

Sea freight: Lower cost per cubic foot if you fill a full 20' or 40' container.

Risk of mold damage:

Air freight: Zero risk due to much shorter transit times.

Sea freight: Higher risk from longer exposure to humidity and salt air; may require additional insurance.

Handling of fragile items:

Air freight: Less handling and shorter exposure make it generally safer for delicate or valuable items.

Sea freight: More handling and longer transit increase the chance of damage.

Best use case:

Air freight: Ideal when you have too much for luggage but not enough for a full container, and you want speed and reduced risk (photo albums, Gaming Computer, sports gear, a favorite chair, artwork).

Sea freight: Best for full household moves or large shipments where cost per cubic foot is the priority.

Working with Expat Shipping

Expat Shipping is a recommended option for shipments between the United States and Europe. They can ship pallets, crates, and even moving boxes if you don’t have enough to fill a pallet. They are by far the lowest cost provider in the market. I had a client pay nearly double what they charge. Mark the founder of Expat Shipping has been helping folks ship good between the United States and Europe for nearly 2 decades!

For a full brochure on shipping between the United States and Europe, see: https://go.fliplink.me/view/expatshippingabroad.

If you contact Expat Shipping, mention Timothy from MyBestMoneyLife sent you and ask for Mark, who comes highly recommended by previous customers.

Is This Right for You

If you’re not shipping a full 20 or 40 foot container but have bulky items you want to keep, air freight pallets or custom crates are an excellent middle ground. They offer speed, reduced risk of moisture damage, and flexible sizing. For items you truly want to keep such as family photos, specialty sports gear, electronics, or a favorite chair, air freight can be a smart, reliable choice.

I shipped a 20' container from Houston and paid $11k plus $2k for insurance and extra charges for a city center move. I had a full to the brim 20' container. If I was shipping from the Midwest the cost would have likely been closer to $15k+. Had, I known about Expat Shipping when we made our move, I might have reduced our shipment to 2 pallets for ~$4,000 and saved $9,000 versus moving a container and just bought new furniture here. If you have older worn out furniture or lower quality IKEA type furniture, you are likely better off just shipping a couple pallets versus a container.

Final Thoughts

Air freight pallets and crates bridge the gap between luggage and full-container shipping. With transit measured in days, lower exposure to the elements, and flexible packing options, this method is ideal for people moving to France or sending valued items overseas without the time or cost commitment of a full container. For a trusted provider that specializes in US-Europe moves, nobody in the business does it better than Expat Shipping.

My Best Money Life

Helping you live your best life in both France and the United States

Disclaimer

The content on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We recommend that you consult a qualified professional before making any financial or investment decisions.

Support

Timothy@mybestmoneylife.com

© 2026. All rights reserved.

Privacy Notice