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Useful to know
Important Information About France
Driving bans and accessibility
For freight transport with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 7.5 metric tons, a driving ban generally applies from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10:00 p.m. on the day before a public holiday until 10:00 p.m. on the public holiday itself.
Summer: Additional nationwide driving bans on July 11, 18, and 25, and August 1 and 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Winter: On designated Alpine routes in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, an additional ban is in effect on February 7, 14, 21, and 28, and March 7, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paris: Additional restrictions apply on certain sections of the A6a, A6b, A6, A10, A12, A13, and A106. From Paris: Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and before holidays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Both directions: Sundays and holidays from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. Toward Paris: Mondays and the day after holidays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Review the official calendar and routes for overlapping restrictions and exceptions.
Special circumstances
Exemptions: none required for live cattle/perishables 50%, race horses, carrier pigeons, harvest products, sugar beets, newspapers/magazines, moving & construction transport, markets, events, medical purposes, hospitals, X-ray equipment; one-off: natural disasters, waste, gas stations, dangerous goods seaports; ongoing: continuous: continuous companies, public/emergency services, max 1 year, prefect + Interministerial Committee.
Paris: 29 m² electro/gas/hybrid/EURO3-5 24/7 loading, other 22-17, less than 43 m² 22-07, max 30 min, sign 'Livraison Marchandises' with time/motor/EURO, permanent exceptions: security vehicles, market, flour, tankers, car transport, construction material, road maintenance, moving & garbage trucks
Neele-Vat Operates every business day in France, from Lille to Marseille. For full truckloads (FTL), transit time is one to two business days, and for LTL shipments, one to three business days, calculated from departure from our facility to delivery at the specified address; groupage shipments of fewer than three pallets are consolidated and sorted at our cross-dock facility and therefore reach their destination in three to four business days. Because France is a large country, the destination region significantly affects transit times: addresses in northern France are relatively close (Lille is about 300 kilometers away), while the south is considerably farther (Marseille is over 1,150 kilometers away). In addition, our planning takes into account French driving restrictions, including “black” Saturdays during peak season, as well as the Crit’Air environmental zones in cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble.
Shipment Type
What It Entails
Transit time
Explanation
FTL
(Nearly) full truck, drives straight through
1–2 business days
Fastest option: Northern France is faster than the south.
LTL
LTL shipments starting at 3 pallets
1–3 business days
Riding along on a fixed route; southern France adds one day to the transit time.
Groupage
Small shipment, fewer than 3 pallets
3–4 business days
Bundled via cross-dock; additional transshipment slightly extends the transit time.
Departure Dates
Frequency of departures
Every business day
Your shipment will be included in the next available trip following the cutoff time.
Time-Sensitive Delivery
Delivery at an agreed-upon time
To be determined
Fixed time slot or scheduled unloading time upon request.
Door-to-door delivery / small vehicle
Delivery to the loading dock or to the doorstep
4–5 business days
Delivery is handled by our partners in France who specialize in this type of delivery, including scheduling the delivery appointment.
Neele-Vat Pallet Network
Delivery via loading dock, to a residential address, or B2B, ranging from boxes up to 3 pallets
4–5 business days
Delivery via the Neele-Vat network in France and the Netherlands.
Useful to know
Important holidays in France
January 1 - New Year's Day
c.a. March/April (date varies) - Good Friday (Alsace-Moselle only)
c.a. March/April (date varies) - Easter Sunday
c.a. March/April (date varies) - Easter Monday
May 1 - Labor Day
May 8 - Liberation Day
c.a. May (date varies) - Ascension Day
c.a. May/June (date varies) - Pentecost
c.a. May/June (date varies) - Whit Monday
July 14 - National holiday
Aug. 15 - Assumption of Mary
November 1 - All Saints' Day
Nov. 11 - Armistice Day
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - St. Stephen's Day (Alsace-Moselle only)
Useful to know
Frequently Asked Questions About Transportation in France
How long does it take to transport goods from the Netherlands to France?
Transit time for shipments to France depends on the type of shipment and the destination. At Neele-Vat , an FTL shipment typically takes 1–2 business days, an LTL shipment 1–3 business days, and a groupage shipment 3–4 business days. Shipments to northern France are generally faster than those to southern France.
How often do trucks depart for France?
Neele-Vat drives to France every business day. This allows for the frequent scheduling of full truckloads (FTL), LTL shipments, and groupage shipments.
What is the difference between FTL, LTL, and groupage shipments to France?
In FTL (Full Truck Load), an entire or nearly entire truck is used for a single shipment. LTL (Less Than Truck Load) is suitable for partial loads that share the cargo space with other shipments. Smaller shipments of fewer than three pallets can be transported via groupage and are consolidated through a cross-dock.
When does the truck driving ban apply in France?
For freight transport with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 7.5 metric tons, a driving ban generally applies in France from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. Around official holidays, a driving ban generally applies from 10:00 p.m. on the evening before the holiday until 10:00 p.m. on the holiday itself.
Are there additional truck driving bans in France during the summer?
Yes. During the summer period, additional nationwide driving bans may apply to trucks weighing over 7.5 metric tons. In 2026, an additional driving ban will be in effect on July 11, 18, and 25, and August 1 and 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. These dates are set annually by the French government.
Are there additional driving restrictions around Paris?
Yes. Additional restrictions on freight traffic apply on certain sections of, among others, the A6a, A6b, A6, A10, A12, A13, and A106. Permitted driving times vary depending on the direction of travel, the day of the week, and any public holidays.
Which holidays are important for transportation to France?
France has 11 national public holidays. For transportation, relevant dates include New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, May 1, May 8, Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, July 14, August 15, All Saints’ Day, November 11, and Christmas. Driving restrictions may apply around these holidays, and businesses and distribution centers may be closed.
Are there any exceptions to the French driving bans?
Yes. For certain shipments, exceptions or exemptions may apply, such as for specific perishable goods, live animals, medical supplies, and certain essential or public services. Whether an exception applies depends on the cargo, route, and circumstances.
Can Neele-Vat transport pallets to France?
Yes. Neele-Vat transports both individual pallets and larger LTL loads and full truckloads to France. For small shipments ranging from boxes to a few pallets, customers can use groupage or the pallet network.
C Neele-Vat , handle transportation to Southern France?
Yes. Neele-Vat provides transportation throughout France, from Lille in northern France to Marseille and other destinations in southern France. Transit times to southern France are generally longer due to the greater distance.
Can I schedule a delivery for a specific time?
Delivery within an agreed-upon time window or at a scheduled unloading time is possible upon consultation. The options depend on the destination, the type of shipment, and the recipient’s requirements.
Are there environmental zones for trucks in France?
Yes. Several French urban areas have **Low-Emission Zones (ZFE)**. Depending on the vehicle and its emission class, a**Crit’Air sticker** may be required, or access may be restricted. Therefore, check in advance which environmental regulations apply to the planned route and destination.
Through the Neele-Vat network, you can ship groupage, partial loads, and full truckloads quickly and reliably to any destination. This also applies to intermodal transport and express shipments.
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