Shipping Antiquarian Books from France to the USA

Yes, we ship to the United States — and our antiquarian books are duty-free.
Order with confidence: secure payment, tracked shipping, and clear customs information.

📦 Shipping Options

Exact cost calculated at checkout based on weight and destination ZIP.

💵 US Customs: Books Are Duty-Free

Since August 29, 2025, the $800 de-minimis exemption has been suspended for all imports to the USA. However, antiquarian books retain their duty-free status under U.S. tariff code HTS 9903.01.31 (“informational materials” exception).

What this means for you:

• ✅ No import duties on antiquarian books, regardless of value
• ✅ No VAT/sales tax at the federal level
• ✅ Standard USPS / DHL delivery — books pass customs as informational materials
• ⚠️ State sales tax may apply at delivery (varies: CA, NY, FL collect; many states exempt)

📋 Customs Documentation We Provide

Every shipment to the USA includes:

• CN22 / CN23 customs form declaring: “Used antiquarian books — informational materials — HTS 9903.01.31”
• Commercial invoice in English (book title, author, year, value in USD)
• Pro forma invoice if requested by customs broker
• Provenance certificate for high-value items ($1000+)

🛡️ Trust & Protection

• PayPal Buyer Protection on all transactions
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee: full refund if the book differs from our description (we take it back at our cost)
• Insured shipping on all orders over $500 (declared value + tracking)
• Secure HTTPS checkout (TLS 1.3, no card data stored)
• Established 1995 in Paris, member of the French Federation of Booksellers

💳 Payment Methods Accepted from USA

• Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
• PayPal (recommended for Buyer Protection)
• Amazon Pay (coming soon)
• Bank wire transfer (SWIFT) — for orders $2000+

Prices displayed in EUR (€) by default. Multi-currency display in USD ($) coming soon. Current exchange rate: $1 ≈ €0.92.

📍 Estimated Delivery to Major US Cities

❓ FAQ for US Buyers

Will I have to pay anything extra at delivery?

No federal duties on antiquarian books (HTS 9903.01.31). State sales tax may apply depending on your state (typically 0% to 9%). The carrier may charge a small handling fee ($5-15) for customs processing on items over $800.

What if my book is damaged in transit?

All shipments are insured. Take a photo immediately upon delivery and contact us within 7 days. We refund the full purchase price including return shipping.

Do you ship signed first editions and rare manuscripts?

Yes, with extra care. High-value items ($500+) ship insured + signature required. We provide provenance documentation when available.

How long does customs clearance take?

Typically 1-3 business days for antiquarian books in 2026. Books rarely require physical inspection thanks to their well-established duty-free status.

Can I return a book if I’m not satisfied?

Yes, within 30 days of delivery. Free returns are not standard for international shipping (you cover return postage), but we issue a full refund upon receipt of the book in its original condition.

🚀 Start Browsing

Browse our 30,000+ antiquarian books catalog →

Questions about shipping to the USA? Contact us — we typically reply within 24 hours (Paris business hours: 10am-6pm CET / 4am-12pm EST).

🌎 State-specific shipping pages

Detailed shipping info, sales tax, delivery times, university partners, and antiquarian book fairs for each US state:

New York · California · Massachusetts · Texas · Illinois