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VoilaShip vs ColisExpat
ColisExpat is an established French forwarder. Here's an honest, side-by-side look at how VoilaShip compares. Our edge: no subscription and no per-action fees — you pay only for shipping.
| Feature | VoilaShip | ColisExpat |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg Economy to USA | $27 | $50–90 |
| Monthly subscription | None | Optional paid tiers |
| Signup / access fee | Free | Free base, paid perks |
| Free storage | 15 days | Varies |
| Duties handling | Estimated & included (DDP) | Often at delivery |
| Public price calculator | Yes, no account | Limited |
| Express carrier | FedEx 1–3 days | Multiple carriers |
| Consolidation | Yes | Yes |
Who each service is built for
ColisExpat is a veteran of French forwarding, and credit where due: it works, it's established, and it serves the whole world. But its site, plans and support are built in French, for French expatriates who want their favorite stores followed abroad. VoilaShip is the mirror image: built in English, for Americans shopping French brands — Sézane drops, City Pharma hauls, Vinted finds — with a US-only focus that lets us optimize one lane (France → USA, FedEx express) instead of two hundred.
The pricing philosophy is the real difference
Traditional forwarders monetize through layers: membership tiers that unlock better rates, per-action fees for photos or repacking, carrier menus where the attractive price is a slow economy option, and duties billed separately at delivery. None of that is dishonest — but it makes the real cost hard to know before you commit. VoilaShip has one model: a public calculator with one all-in DDP price. No subscription, no signup fee, no photo fee, no handling fee, and estimated US duties included up front. If our number is higher than you hoped, at least it's the truth, five seconds in, no account required.
Small packages, the honest test
Ask any forwarding veteran where the model hurts: small parcels. Minimum billable volumes and stacked fees mean a 400 g pouch can cost $40+ to forward through a traditional service. Our smallest Economy band starts at $14 all-in for up to 0.5 kg — because a customer's first shipment is usually a small one, and we'd rather earn the second shipment than maximize the first.
Where ColisExpat may still fit better
Honesty cuts both ways. If you need forwarding from France to countries other than the USA, ColisExpat covers destinations we simply don't. If you prefer a choice of many carriers, including slower-but-cheaper surface options for very heavy items, their menu is wider. VoilaShip only ships FedEx express to the US — it's what makes us fast and simple, and it's also our only lane.
ColisExpat vs VoilaShip — FAQ
Is VoilaShip really cheaper than ColisExpat?
For the France → USA lane on typical parcels, yes — a 2 kg shipment is $27 all-in with duties included, where traditional forwarders' totals commonly reach $50–90 once fees and delivery-time duties are counted. For other destinations or unusual freight, compare — our calculator is public precisely so you can.
Does ColisExpat include US customs duties in its price?
Traditionally, duties are assessed at delivery — the courier pays customs and bills you afterwards, often with a disbursement fee. VoilaShip quotes DDP: estimated US duties are included in the price you see before paying, and nothing is owed at your door.
Can I switch mid-stream if I already use another forwarder?
Yes — a VoilaShip address is free with no subscription, so there's no cost to trying one shipment side by side. Sign up, get your suite number instantly, and route your next order to Commercy.
Comparison based on publicly available information and may change. We aim to keep it fair and up to date.