Philippine apparel sourcing guide

Import apparel from the Philippines to France

Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to France can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, and other commercial centers in France. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.

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Why source apparel from the Philippines?

PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.

Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.

Shipping route and gateways to France

Apparel consignments from the Philippines to France move via containerized ocean freight through the Suez Canal directly into major French container terminals (Port of Le Havre on the Atlantic/Channel coast or Port of Marseille-Fos on the Mediterranean), or via high-speed international air cargo into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Europe's premier freight mega-hub). Final routing depends on shipment volume, Incoterm, carrier schedule, and the buyer's nominated freight forwarder.

Major International Seaports (Ocean Container Gateways)

Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo ships out of dedicated Philippine container terminals and enters France through premier deep-water Atlantic and Mediterranean ports with direct multimodal rail and river barge links.

Davao International Container Port (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Premier modern deep-water container terminal in Panabo City, Davao Gulf. Features a 15-meter natural draft accommodating post-Panamax vessels. Operates direct scheduled weekly feeder loops to Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, and Colombo connecting directly into European line-haul container services to Le Havre and Marseille-Fos, serving as the primary export gateway for Mindanao apparel and corporate uniform production.
Region: Davao del Norte / Mindanao • Terminal: San Vicente / Anflocor • Draft: 15.0m
Port of Manila (MICT & South Harbor) PHMNL
Largest international container gateway of the Philippines, processing over 4.5 million TEUs annually. Offers high-frequency feeder sailings and direct vessel connections linking Philippine garment factories to French maritime corridors.
Region: Metro Manila / Luzon • Terminals: ICTSI MICT & ATI South Harbor
Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas maritime cargo consolidation hub linking garment manufacturing plants in Mactan and Cebu export processing zones with international feeder loops.
Region: Cebu City / Central Visayas • Terminal: OPASCOR / CPA
Batangas International Port PHBTG
Alternative deep-water container terminal in Southern Luzon serving Calabarzon export manufacturing zones (Laguna, Cavite, Batangas) with direct highway links bypassing Metro Manila traffic.
Region: Batangas / Southern Luzon • Terminal: Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI)
Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Strategic deep-water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated highway transit and rapid customs dispatch.
Region: Zambales / Central Luzon • Terminal: SBITC / ICTSI

Port of Le Havre (HAROPA Port - Port 2000) FRLEH
France's premier container seaport handling over 3 million TEUs annually. Located at the mouth of the Seine River with deep-water berths accommodating 24,000+ TEU container vessels. Serves as the primary maritime gateway for Greater Paris (Île-de-France) and northern France via dedicated rail shuttles and river barge corridors.
Region: Normandy / Seine Gateway • Terminals: Port 2000 (GMP, TN, TPO)
Port of Marseille-Fos (Fos 2XL & 3XL) FRMRS / FRFOS
France's flagship Mediterranean deep-water container terminal, handling direct ocean services from Asia via the Suez Canal. Serves southern France (Marseille, Lyon, Rhône Valley industrial corridor) and European transit corridors with extensive rail freight connections.
Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur / Mediterranean • Terminals: Fos 2XL & 3XL (Eurofos & Seayard)
Port of Dunkirk (Terminal des Flandres) FRDKK
Strategic deep-water container terminal in northern France serving the Hauts-de-France retail logistics hub, Lille metropolitan area, and cross-border European distribution.
Region: Hauts-de-France / North Sea • Terminal: Terminal des Flandres (CMA CGM / APM)
Port of Rouen (HAROPA Port Rouen) FRURO
Major riverine container and bulk port on the Seine waterway connecting maritime feeder traffic between Le Havre and the Paris industrial basin.
Region: Normandy / Seine River • Role: Seine corridor multimodal river port
Port of Bordeaux (Bassens Terminal) FRBOD
Atlantic maritime container facility on the Gironde estuary serving southwestern France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and regional retail commercial distribution.
Region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine / Atlantic • Role: Southwestern regional maritime terminal

Major International Airports (Air Cargo Gateways)

High-value fashion apparel, corporate showroom samples, urgent Paris Fashion Week capsules, and seasonal collection top-ups fly directly between Philippine airports and French international air cargo hubs.

Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) DVO / RPMD
Primary air cargo facility for Southern Mindanao. Features regular widebody domestic bellyhold cargo feeding into Manila (MNL) for consolidated international air waybills connecting directly to France.
Location: Davao City / Mindanao • Connections: Domestic feeder flights to MNL
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL) MNL / RPLL
National air cargo flagship in Metro Manila. Connects air freight shipments to France via direct or connecting services through Paris Charles de Gaulle (Air France), Istanbul (Turkish Cargo), Dubai (Emirates SkyCargo), and Doha (Qatar Airways Cargo).
Location: Metro Manila • Airlines: Air France, Turkish, Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines
Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Major express freight hub hosting dedicated international integrator facilities (FedEx, UPS, DHL). Features 24/7 dedicated freighter ramp handling and rapid customs clearance for Northern Luzon.
Location: Clark Freeport Zone / Pampanga • Integrators: FedEx, DHL, UPS global hubs
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway linking garment producers to international airline networks through transshipment via Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG).
Location: Lapu-Lapu City / Cebu • Coverage: Central Visayas export zones

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy - CDG) CDG / LFPG
Europe's leading international air cargo mega-hub located in Roissy (Cargo City CDG) processing over 2.1 million tons of freight annually. Features scheduled freighter services by Air France Cargo, FedEx European hub, Turkish Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo with 24/7 automated French Customs (Douane DELTA) electronic clearance.
Region: Île-de-France / Paris • Facility: Cargo City CDG (Europe's leading air freight hub)
Paris Orly Airport (ORY / LFPO) ORY / LFPO
Southern Paris international air facility serving regional commercial distribution, European express cargo, and French overseas departments with rapid terminal turnaround.
Region: Île-de-France / Southern Paris • Role: Secondary Paris express freight facility
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS / LFLL) LYS / LFLL
Major air freight gateway for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes industrial and historical textile manufacturing corridor, featuring dedicated express and general cargo zones.
Region: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / Lyon • Facility: Lyon CargoPort
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS / LFML) MRS / LFML
Southern France's premier regional air cargo terminal with dedicated express freight aprons serving Provence, the Mediterranean coast, and Corsican supply lines.
Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur / Marseille • Role: Southern France regional cargo airport
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS / LFBO) TLS / LFBO
Southwestern international air cargo facility serving aerospace, corporate uniform tenders, and commercial apparel buyers across the Occitanie region.
Region: Occitanie / Toulouse • Role: Southwestern regional air terminal

Philippines to France Freight Planning Summary

Ocean Freight (FCL / LCL) Davao (DICT) or Manila (MICT) via Suez Canal to Port of Le Havre (HAROPA) or Port of Marseille-Fos. Total transit: 24 to 36 days port to port.

Direct / Connecting Air Cargo Manila (MNL) connecting into Paris Charles de Gaulle Cargo City (CDG) or Lyon (LYS) via scheduled widebody freighters. Total transit: 1 to 3 days airport to airport.

Express Integrator Flights Clark (CRK) or Manila (MNL) connecting via FedEx European Hub at CDG or DHL Aviation into regional French airports. Total transit: 2 to 4 business days.

Door to Door Express DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS expedited international courier for showroom samples, pre-production size runs, and urgent event merchandise. Total transit: 3 to 5 business days.

Landed-cost & Trade Framework for France

A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.

Trade Framework: European Union Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU GSP+)
Duty & Customs Guide: Under the EU GSP+ trade arrangement, qualifying apparel manufactured in the Philippines enters France and the European Union at 0% preferential customs tariff rates when supported by an approved Registered Exporter (REX) statement on origin. Standard French Value Added Tax (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée : TVA) applies at 20% on the Customs Value plus import duties and EU inland freight. Reverse-charge import VAT (Autoliquidation de la TVA à l'importation : ATVAI) is automatically applied for VAT-registered French enterprises. Electronic customs declarations are lodged through the French Customs Douane DELTA-G / DELTA-IE platform. Importers must possess a valid European Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
Recommended Fabrics: 180 to 220 GSM ring-spun combed cotton t-shirts, heavyweight 320 GSM French terry and fleece-lined hoodies, wrinkle-resistant pique polos, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, and certified organic cotton (GOTS / OCS).
Destination currency: Euro (EUR)
Freight variables: Chargeable weight or volume ratio, international marine bunker surcharges, terminal handling charges (THC at Le Havre/Marseille), Douane customs clearance brokerage, and French domestic road or rail intermodal transport.

Compliance checkpoints for France

These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.

EU Textile Labelling Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 requiring precise fiber composition breakdowns in the French language (Composition)
French AGEC Law (Loi Anti-Gaspillage pour une Économie Circulaire) requiring the Triman sorting logo and Info-tri sorting instructions on garment packaging and labels
Registration with the French textile producer responsibility organization (EPR : Refashion) for eco-contribution compliance
EU REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 compliance restricting azo dyes, nickel release in metallic trims, phthalates, and SVHC chemical substances

HS classification starting points

Most apparel begins in Chapter 61 or 62. Fiber composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final tariff line.

HS Chapter 61: knitted or crocheted apparel (T-shirts 6109, polo shirts 6105/6106, hoodies 6110, sweatshirts)
HS Chapter 62: woven apparel (trousers, corporate dress shirts, jackets, workwear)
Confirm the 10-digit French TARIC (RITA Douane) classification with a licensed French customs broker

Documents commonly prepared

Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.

01Commercial invoice (Facture Commerciale)Seller, buyer EORI, detailed item descriptions in French/English, quantities, unit values, currency (EUR/USD), Incoterm, and REX origin statement.
02Packing list (Liste de Colisage)Carton breakdown, individual polybag ratios, size distributions, net and gross weight, and cubic dimensions.
03Transport documentOriginal Ocean Bill of Lading (Connaissement maritime), Sea Waybill, or Master Air Waybill (LTA) issued for the shipment.
04Preferential Origin DocumentOfficial REX statement on origin (Registered Exporter System) declaring Philippine GSP+ preferential status for 0% duty entry.

MOQ, timing, and payment

Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.

Minimum order: 50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
Production lead time: 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional
Typical payment structure: International bank transfer (T/T in EUR or USD); documentary collection or irrevocable letter of credit (L/C) may be agreed for qualified commercial consignments

Importing from the Philippines to France: FAQ

Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.

Which seaports in the Philippines and France are used for apparel shipments?

In the Philippines, cargo departs from Davao International Container Port (DICT) in Mindanao for southern manufacturing, as well as the Port of Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu International Port (CIP), Batangas Port, and Subic Bay. In France, containerized ocean shipments arrive primarily at the Port of Le Havre (HAROPA Port 2000, serving Greater Paris via dedicated rail and Seine barge shuttles), Port of Marseille-Fos (flagship Mediterranean deep-water gateway serving southern France and the Rhône Valley), and Port of Dunkirk (Terminal des Flandres).

Which airports handle air freight shipments between the Philippines and France?

Air cargo departs from Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO), Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila (NAIA / MNL), Clark International Airport (CRK), and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Cargo arrives in France primarily at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG, Europe's leading air cargo mega-hub with 24/7 French Douane DELTA electronic clearance), Paris Orly Airport (ORY), Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS).

What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to France?

Minimum order is 50 pieces per design for custom OEM/ODM production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix.

How long does shipping from the Philippines to France take?

The planning estimate for ocean container shipping is 24 to 36 days port to port via the Suez Canal to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos. Air cargo connecting through international airline hubs takes 1 to 3 days airport to airport. Express couriers deliver in 3 to 5 business days door to door. Garment production takes 3 to 6 weeks after sample approval.

Can Philippine apparel enter France duty-free under EU GSP+?

Yes. Under the European Union Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU GSP+), qualifying apparel manufactured in the Philippines enters France and the EU at 0% preferential customs duty when supported by an approved REX statement on origin. Standard French TVA of 20% applies, with reverse-charge import VAT available for VAT-registered French businesses.

Can PHShirt supply custom labels complying with the French AGEC Law and Triman logo?

Yes. OEM/ODM orders include French language care labels conforming to EU Regulation 1007/2011, permanent Fabriqué aux Philippines (Made in the Philippines) origin tags, fiber percentage breakdowns in French, the mandatory Triman sorting logo and Info-tri sorting guidelines under the AGEC law, custom hangtags, and individual barcode polybags.

Which Incoterms can be quoted for France?

PHShirt can quote common Incoterms 2020 rules such as EXW, FCA, FOB (Manila, Davao DICT, or Cebu), CFR, or CIF (Port of Le Havre or Marseille-Fos) depending on your logistics arrangements.

Discuss a shipment to France

Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination French port or city.

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Reference sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01. Requirements change: verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.