Moving to Cambodia — freight, customs, forwarder
Moving to Cambodia from France — sea or air freight, customs formalities, 20/40 ft container, prohibited items, forwarders.
- Cost
- 1 500 USD – 12 000 USD 1500-3500 USD for an air-excess-baggage volume, 4000-12000 USD for a 20/40 ft sea container
- Duration
- Sea 30-50 days door-to-door, air 5-15 days, on-site clearance 2-7 days
- Difficulty
- Complex
- Reading
- 10 min
In 3 bullets
- Sea or air depending on volume: 20’/40’ ft container by sea (30-50 days, 4,000-12,000 USD), air excess baggage (5-15 days, 5-10× more expensive per kg).
- Used personal effects > 6 months generally duty-exempt, but 10% VAT and certain products taxable. Detailed inventory of value + origin mandatory.
- Local forwarder essential on the Cambodia side: the GDCE (customs) doesn’t dialogue directly with a non-Khmer-speaking individual.
What you can (and must) bring
To send
- Clothing, books, decor, household linen, small appliances: no problem.
- Furniture: possible but think twice — many expats buy local teak furniture cheaper than transport.
- Musical instruments, bikes, boards, specialised sports equipment: OK with value documentation.
- Tableware, kitchen utensils, cookware: OK.
To avoid
- Large European appliances (220V/50Hz vs 230V/50Hz in Cambodia — generally compatible but no after-sales service).
- European high-end TVs: no after-sales service, local IPTV incompatible with some.
- Light-wood furniture: tropical humidity + termites attack within years. Prefer local teak.
Prohibited or restricted items
For Cambodia imports:
- Drones: prior authorisation from Ministry of Interior + MPTC.
- Walkie-talkies / amateur radios: licence required.
- Firearms / bladed weapons: forbidden except specific accreditation.
- Drugs, regulated medicines without translated prescription.
- Cambodian antiques: FR-KH export of a Cambodian heritage object acquired in France may require proof of origin.
- Currencies > 10,000 USD in cash: to declare.
Cost and duration
Sea — 20 or 40 ft container
| Type | Usable volume | Indicative cost (door-to-door FR → PP) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupage (LCL) | 1-15 m³ | 150-300 USD/m³ | 35-60 days |
| 20’ container | ~ 28 m³ usable | 4,000-7,500 USD | 30-50 days |
| 40’ container | ~ 56 m³ usable | 6,500-12,000 USD | 30-50 days |
Sea lead time = sea transit (Marseille / Le Havre → Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh via river) + clearance.
Air — excess baggage or cargo
| Type | Indicative cost | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Airline excess baggage | 30-80 €/kg per airline | 1-3 days |
| Air cargo (forwarder) | 8-15 €/kg + fixed fees | 5-10 days |
| 30 kg box via DHL/UPS Express | 200-400 €/box | 5-7 days |
Air = ideal for 30-200 kg of essential goods (clothes, books, computers, pro gear). Not cost-effective for large volume.
Local formalities
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Local forwarder fees | 200-1,200 USD by volume |
| Customs duties (per goods category) | 0 to 35% of CIF value |
| 10% VAT | on CIF value + duties |
| Port / airport handling fees | 100-500 USD |
| Final delivery truck | 50-300 USD by address |
How to organise the move
1. Choose an international mover
Several networks operate from France to Cambodia:
- AGS Movers — international, has a PP agency.
- Bagages du Monde — French-speaking, specialised in excess and modest moves.
- Crown Worldwide, Allied Pickfords, Asian Tigers — large moves.
- Local groups: Asia Express Cambodia, World Angkor Transport — for the KH part.
Request at least 3 quotes with detailed inventory. Watch for hidden items (customs, handling, floor delivery).
2. Valued inventory
The packing list (detailed inventory) is required by the GDCE :
- List box by box with summary content.
- Unit value estimated (realistic — undervaluing = customs can reclassify).
- Purchase date (goods > 6 months benefit from “personal effects” regime).
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill.
3. Certificate of origin and proforma invoice
For each shipment, the mover issues:
- Certificate of Origin or shipping country attestation.
- Proforma invoice declared value.
- Packing list.
4. KH long-stay visa = recommended
The KH-side “personal effects” regime is applied more favourably to long-stay visa (EB / ER) holders. With a T tourist visa, customs may demand fuller duties. Get your EB before the freight arrives.
5. Clearance on arrival
On freight arrival at Sihanoukville port (sea) or Phnom Penh (air):
- The local forwarder handles clearance.
- Documents presented to GDCE: packing list, BoL/AWB, passport, visa, address proof, sometimes company patent certificate if pro move.
- Physical inspection possible — typically a sample of a few boxes.
- Duties + VAT calculation.
- Payment → freight pickup and delivery.
Clearance time: typically 2-7 business days, more if value or category dispute.
Required documents
- Passport + long-stay visa (EB recommended).
- Cambodia address proof (signed lease, Sangkat attestation).
- Detailed valued inventory in French + translated into English.
- Bill of Lading (BoL) or Airway Bill (AWB).
- Invoice / value declaration for customs.
- Power of Attorney to local forwarder to clear in your place.
- Photo of sealed container (sea side) and seal numbers.
Cost-cutting tips
1. Massive sorting before departure
75% of French people who move to Cambodia regret bringing too much. Sell or donate in France what is:
- Heavy (books, big furniture).
- Easy / cheap to find in PP (household linen, tableware, decor).
- Doesn’t stand tropical humidity (leathers, old instruments, certain woods).
2. Excess baggage > cargo
For 50-150 kg, plane excess baggage at check-in is often cheaper than air cargo: ~ 30-50 €/kg pre-paying with Air France or Vietnam Airlines.
3. “Grouped sea freight” (LCL) route
If you have 1-10 m³, a sea groupage splits the cost of a container: your cargo travels with other moves. Lead time +10-15 days vs a dedicated FCL.
4. Local purchase for furniture
Local teak is found at 30-60% of European prices. Furniture markets at Tuol Tom Poung (PP), Russian Market, and Dey Eth workshops route 1.
Common pitfalls
FAQ
How long sea FR → Cambodia in practice?
Marseille / Le Havre → Sihanoukville: 30-40 days. With Singapore or HK connection: 35-50 days. Peak season (Dec-March): ports saturated, add 5-10 days.
Do I need to be on site at freight arrival?
Not mandatory but recommended: your presence eases customs inspection and delivery coordination. If impossible, give power of attorney to the forwarder by notarial deed.
And for electricity — voltage, outlets?
Cambodia: 230 V / 50 Hz, outlets type A (US flat) + type C (Europe) + type G (UK) often available in modern condos. Your 220-240 V FR appliances work. Bring simple adapters for type A outlets.
Does my French home insurance cover transit?
No, generally. Subscribe to a specific moving insurance with the mover (~ 2-3% of declared value) or an expat broker (Crown Worldwide, IES…).
Can you import a car at the same time as the move?
Possible but complex: high customs duties (can double the purchase price), homologation standards, Chhiek technical inspection. See the vehicle registration guide. Most expats buy locally instead of importing.
What to do with goods left in France?
Classic options:
- Storage: 80-200 €/month for 5-10 m³.
- Family storage: free but to avoid for > 1 year.
- Sale on Leboncoin / vinted / Facebook Marketplace 2-3 months before departure.
How to regularly receive packages from France afterwards?
- DHL / UPS / FedEx: 5-7 days to PP, ~ 30-80 €/parcel < 5 kg.
- Cambo Post / La Poste: cheaper (15-40 €) but 2-5 weeks.
- Boxenter or OnDelivery: private expat services, FR parcel consolidation + batch PP delivery.
Sources (3)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.