Port of Le Havre shipping covers most of the deep-sea container cargo that reaches Paris and northern France. The port sits on the Seine estuary in Normandy, is run by HAROPA PORT together with Rouen and Paris, and clears cargo through French customs. This guide covers the terminals, cargo types, customs at the port, inland links and how to ship to Le Havre from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Le Havre, and from Le Havre to Dubai with UAE clearance on arrival.
Port of Le Havre: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | HAROPA PORT, created on 1 June 2021 (ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris) |
| UN/LOCODE | FRLEH |
| Location | Seine estuary, Normandy, about 200 km from Paris |
| Container terminals | Terminal de France and Terminaux de Normandie at Port 2000; Terminal de l'Atlantique and Terminaux Nord in the historic port; LHTE multimodal terminal inland |
| Combined annual capacity of the four maritime container terminals (HAROPA figures) | About 4.4 million TEU |
| HAROPA PORT container traffic, 2025 | 3.21 million TEU, up 4% (Seine ports combined) |
| HAROPA PORT maritime traffic, 2025 | 84.7 million tonnes |
| Rail containers at Le Havre, 2025 | 145,000 TEU, up 18% |
| Ro-ro, 2025 | More than 242,000 vehicles at the Le Havre ro-ro terminal |
| Road links | A29 and A131 motorways |
| Customs | French customs (DGDDI), 24/7 clearance; HAROPA reports 93.5% of declarations at Le Havre cleared in under five minutes |
| Le Havre to Dubai | Export declaration lodged in French customs' DELTA services, exit confirmed through ECS; UAE duty 5% of CIF for most goods plus 5% import VAT |
| Port community system | S)ONE, developed by SOGET |
| Sanitary and phytosanitary checks | Border inspection post (SIVEP) next to the port |
What is the port of Le Havre?
Le Havre is France's main deep-sea container port. King Francois I ordered its creation on 7 February 1517. Container terminals were built from 1968, and container traffic grew from under 100,000 TEU to 2 million TEU by 1995, according to HAROPA's history of the port.
The big change came with Port 2000, a set of deep-sea container berths built outside the old docks. The first four berths opened on 30 March 2006, six more came into service in 2010, and a third phase for the final two berths began in 2019. HAROPA PORT itself was created on 1 June 2021, joining Le Havre, Rouen and Paris into one port along the Seine.
For a shipper this matters in one way: a container landed at Le Havre can reach the Paris region by truck, train or barge without changing port authority, and customs clearance can happen at the quay or further inland.
Which container terminals does Le Havre have?
Your carrier's service decides the terminal. Check it on the arrival notice before you book a truck, train or barge.
| Terminal | Area | Operator listed by HAROPA | Quay | Berths | Capacity a year | Rail tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal de France | Port 2000 | GMP | 1,400 m | 4 | 1.5 million TEU | 4 |
| Terminaux de Normandie (TNMSC and TPO) | Port 2000 | TiL | 2,100 m | 6 | 1.8 million TEU | 6 |
| Terminal de l'Atlantique | Historic port | Hanseatic Global Terminals | 1,300 m | 2 | 600,000 TEU | 3 |
| Terminaux Nord | Historic port | See note below | 1,600 m | 2 | 500,000 TEU | Rail connection |
HAROPA's terminal page for Terminaux Nord lists GMP as operator. Its 2025 results say Hanseatic Global Terminals, a Hapag-Lloyd subsidiary, became majority shareholder of the Nord terminals operator and renamed it HGT Le Havre. The same results say TiL-MSC received the final four of nine new mega-cranes at Port 2000 in 2025.
What each terminal handles
| Terminal | Activities listed by HAROPA | Shuttle links to the multimodal terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal de France | Containers, heavy-lift, out-of-gauge | 3 round trips a day |
| Terminaux de Normandie | Containers, heavy-lift | 2 round trips a day |
| Terminal de l'Atlantique | Containers, heavy-lift, out-of-gauge, breakbulk | 1 round trip a day |
| Terminaux Nord | Containers | Not stated |
The LHTE multimodal terminal
The Le Havre multimodal terminal, run by LHTE, sits inland of the maritime terminals and links them to rail and river. HAROPA lists 22 electrified rail tracks, 2 river berths, 200,000 TEU of annual capacity and 160,000 TEU handled in 2024. A maritime shuttle makes 6 round trips a day between this terminal and 3 terminals in Le Havre. HAROPA's import guide says no road booking is needed there and customs can inspect and clear containers on site.
What cargo does the port of Le Havre handle?
| Cargo type | Where and how |
|---|---|
| Containers (dry and reefer) | Port 2000 and historic port terminals |
| Heavy-lift and out-of-gauge | Terminal de France, Terminaux de Normandie, Terminal de l'Atlantique |
| Breakbulk | Terminal de l'Atlantique and general cargo berths |
| Ro-ro and vehicles | Le Havre ro-ro terminal, more than 242,000 vehicles in 2025 |
| Crude oil and refined products | Oil berths in the port and the Antifer oil terminal, in service since 1975 |
| Dry bulk | Cereals, animal feed, coal and cement among the main cargoes |
Containers, breakbulk and dangerous goods at Le Havre
Containers: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from the UAE arrives at Le Havre in full containers. LCL cargo is unpacked at a warehouse or container freight station after discharge, so release can also depend on the other shipments in the box. If you are unsure which to book, our guide to FCL vs LCL costs sets out the break-even, and our sea freight service page explains what we book.
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo
Three Le Havre terminals list heavy-lift handling, and Terminal de l'Atlantique also lists breakbulk. A simple rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service gives you more sailings into Port 2000. If it does not, you need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage, and the vessel's sailing date drives the whole plan. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points and agree lashing with the carrier. See our break bulk and project cargo service.
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods in French seaports fall under a national regulation made by the order of 18 July 2000, with local rules set for each port. At Le Havre, ships carrying dangerous goods and vessels over 70 m must take a pilot. For you, the practical points are a correct UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, safety data sheet and DG declaration, and IMDG segregation inside the box. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets carrier acceptance before booking and sends the DG data to the consignee's agent early. Our note on IMDG segregation in containers covers the stowage rules.
Customs and documents at the port of Le Havre
French customs (the DGDDI) clears cargo at Le Havre under EU customs law. Customs works 24/7 at the port, and HAROPA says physical checks are targeted rather than routine.
How a container is cleared at Le Havre
HAROPA's import guide sets out the steps. Every party records its part in the S)ONE port community system, and the four paperwork steps can be done before the vessel arrives.
| Step | Who | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shipping line | Files the manifest with customs |
| 2 | Shipper or forwarder | Pays the line's charges; the line issues the release document (BAD) |
| 3 | Forwarder | Picks the road, rail or river carrier for the onward move |
| 4 | Customs | Authorises the goods under the chosen procedure |
| 5 | Stevedore | Discharges the container; S)ONE then issues the gate-out authorisation (BAS) |
Before arrival, the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) and the advance temporary storage declaration go to customs electronically. After discharge, goods in temporary storage must be given a customs procedure within 90 days in a temporary storage facility, or within 3 to 6 days at an approved temporary storage location.
Where can you clear customs?
- At the maritime terminal or a warehouse in the port area.
- At an inland river terminal, after a transit declaration or a transfer between storage facilities.
- At the final logistics site, if the goods move there under a customs procedure.
Customs can ask for a container to go through the Sycoscan scanner near the terminals. Food, plant and animal products are checked at the border inspection post (SIVEP), and HAROPA points traders to the France Sesame platform for these sanitary and phytosanitary formalities.
What the importer needs
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| EORI number | Free from French customs through SOPRANO, active 24 hours after issue |
| Import declaration | Electronic, in DELTA G or DELTA IE; can be lodged up to 30 days before the goods are presented |
| Who files | The importer or a customs representative (direct or indirect representation) |
| Supporting documents | Invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any permits, held by the declarant and shown if customs asks |
| Duty | EU tariff rate for the goods code, found in TARIC |
| Import VAT | 20% normal rate; self-assessed on the VAT return by businesses identified for VAT in France since 1 January 2022 |
Our Dubai freight forwarding team sends the full document set to the consignee's French agent before the vessel sails from the UAE.
Getting cargo out of the port: road, rail and river
| Option | How it works at Le Havre | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Road | Truck from the terminal, with or without a time slot depending on the terminal; A29 and A131 motorways | Normandy, short and medium distances, urgent boxes |
| Rail, direct | Train loaded at the maritime terminal | Regular volumes to inland rail terminals |
| Rail via LHTE | Shuttle to the multimodal terminal, then train on 22 electrified tracks | Flexible rail loading, extra storage time |
| River, direct or via LHTE | Barge up the Seine towards Rouen and the Paris region | Heavy boxes and steady flows to the Paris region |
In 2025, Le Havre moved a record 145,000 TEU by train to and from the hinterland, up 18%. A decision rule: if your consignee is near a Seine river terminal and the box is not urgent, ask for a barge or rail price as well as a truck price.
Shipping from Dubai to Le Havre: step by step
Transit times from the UAE
Le Havre services from the UAE are usually transshipped. Fluent Cargo's schedule data lists these options.
| Route | Quickest time listed | Transfers | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali to Le Havre (quickest) | About 38 days | 1 | Every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Khor Fakkan to Le Havre (most frequent) | About 53 days | 1 | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Air: Dubai (DXB) to Paris CDG | About 7 hours 25 minutes, direct | 0 | 2 to 4 times a day |
[AMIR-FACT: our real port-to-port days from Jebel Ali to Le Havre and the carriers we book on this lane]
The steps
- Agree the Incoterm with your French buyer, so both sides know who books freight and who clears at Le Havre.
- Check the goods code in TARIC for duty and any measure, and confirm the importer has an EORI number and a French VAT number.
- Send us the cargo details: goods, HS codes, weight, volume, packing and the delivery address in France.
- We book space from Jebel Ali (or Khor Fakkan) to Le Havre and confirm which terminal the service uses.
- We check the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading data, and pass ENS data to the carrier at booking.
- We arrange trucking to the UAE port and the export declaration, then load and seal the container.
- We send the documents to the consignee's agent, who can lodge the import declaration up to 30 days before arrival.
- The line issues the release, customs authorises the goods, and the container leaves Le Havre by truck, train or barge.
Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide covers the UAE end of this route.
How to ship from the port of Le Havre to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Le Havre to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The French export formalities stay with the shipper or its customs agent in France.
The French export side
- Export declaration. It is lodged electronically in French customs' DELTA online services. DELTA IE, the new clearance system, has run for exports since 4 November 2025 and replaces DELTA G and DELTA X Export.
- Proof of exit. The EU Export Control System (ECS) confirms that the goods have left the EU customs territory. That certification is what supports the VAT exemption on the export sale.
- Responsibility. French customs says the exporter stays responsible for the export until the goods leave the EU, even when someone else handles the transport.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the Port 2000 or historic-port terminal named on the booking, inside the carrier's cut-off.
The UAE import side
On arrival in Dubai, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, a certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. The carrier releases the cargo against the bill of lading. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return under the reverse charge.
- Send us the shipper's details in France, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Le Havre and send the booking, terminal and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, loads it and delivers it to the terminal.
- The shipper or its customs agent lodges the export declaration in DELTA.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers and hubs we actually use from Le Havre to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, and our real port-to-port transit days in this direction]
Which French port: Le Havre, Marseille-Fos or Dunkirk?
| Port | Strength | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Le Havre | Largest container gateway on the Seine axis, rail and river to Paris | Your consignee is in Paris, Normandy or northern and central France |
| Marseille-Fos | Mediterranean port, about 1.45 million TEU in 2025, 16% of containers by rail | Your consignee is in Lyon, the Rhone valley or the south |
| Dunkirk | Terminal des Flandres, 1,600 m quay, two berths at 17.5 m | Your consignee is in Lille or the north-east |
On published schedules, Marseille is often reached faster from Jebel Ali than Le Havre. Compare the sea days with the inland leg before you pick.
Checklist before you ship to Le Havre
- Importer's EORI and French VAT number on the commercial documents.
- HS code checked in TARIC, including anti-dumping and CBAM for metal cargo.
- Certificate of origin that matches the real country of manufacture.
- Terminal confirmed on the arrival notice (Port 2000 or historic port).
- Onward mode chosen early: truck, rail or barge.
- Sanitary or phytosanitary certificates ready for food, plant or animal goods.
- DG documents and IMDG data sent to the agent before arrival.
- Free time at the terminal known, with clearance lodged before discharge.
- Cargo insurance arranged if the Incoterm puts the risk on you.
Common mistakes at Le Havre
| Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for the vessel to arrive before filing | Lost days and storage costs | Lodge the declaration up to 30 days ahead |
| Line charges not paid | No release document (BAD), so no gate-out | Settle freight and local charges before arrival |
| Wrong terminal on the truck booking | Failed collection and a second trip | Check the terminal on the arrival notice |
| No French VAT number for a foreign importer | Import VAT cannot be self-assessed | Apply to the business tax office before shipping |
| Food or plant goods without certificates | Held at the border inspection post | Prepare certificates and pre-notify through the agent |
| Leaving the box in temporary storage too long | Storage charges, demurrage and detention | Plan clearance within the storage time limits |
Our note on demurrage and detention shows how those costs build up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the port code for Le Havre?
The UN/LOCODE for Le Havre is FRLEH. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking systems.
Who runs the port of Le Havre?
HAROPA PORT runs Le Havre together with the ports of Rouen and Paris. It was created on 1 June 2021. Terminals are run by private operators such as GMP, TiL and Hanseatic Global Terminals.
What is Port 2000?
Port 2000 is Le Havre's deep-sea container zone. Its first four berths opened on 30 March 2006 and six more followed in 2010. It holds Terminal de France and Terminaux de Normandie.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Le Havre take?
Published schedule data lists about 38 days from Jebel Ali to Le Havre on the quickest option, with one transfer. Check the schedule on your booking, because services change.
Can you handle shipping from Le Havre to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space, check the bill of lading and clear the cargo in Dubai. The shipper or its French customs agent lodges the export declaration in DELTA. In Dubai, duty is 5% of CIF for most goods, plus 5% import VAT.
Can I clear customs at Le Havre before the ship arrives?
Yes. A French import declaration can be lodged up to 30 days before the goods are presented, and the paperwork steps in the S)ONE system can be done before the vessel berths.
How fast is customs clearance at Le Havre?
Customs works 24/7 at the port. HAROPA reports that 93.5% of declarations lodged in Le Havre are cleared in under five minutes, with physical checks only on a targeted basis.
Can containers leave Le Havre by train or barge?
Yes. Trains load directly at the maritime terminals or at the LHTE multimodal terminal, and barges run up the Seine to the Paris region. Le Havre moved 145,000 TEU by rail in 2025.
Can I ship dangerous goods through Le Havre?
Yes. Dangerous goods follow the IMDG Code, France's national regulation for dangerous goods in seaports and local port rules. Ships carrying dangerous goods must take a pilot at Le Havre.
Get a quote for shipping to Le Havre
Send us your cargo details and the delivery address in France, and we will come back with a routing and a price for Le Havre. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team if you want to talk through a breakbulk, project or DG shipment first.
Sources
- HAROPA PORT: The history of the port of Le Havre
- HAROPA PORT: Who we are (2025 key figures)
- HAROPA PORT: Record traffic in 2025 on the Seine corridor
- HAROPA PORT: Container terminals
- HAROPA PORT: Terminal de France
- HAROPA PORT: Terminaux de Normandie
- HAROPA PORT: Terminal de l'Atlantique
- HAROPA PORT: Terminaux Nord
- HAROPA PORT: Le Havre multimodal terminal
- HAROPA PORT: Facilitated cargo throughput (customs at Le Havre)
- HAROPA PORT: Import solutions for containers at Le Havre (PDF)
- French customs: EORI number
- French customs: Lodging a customs declaration
- French customs: Mandatory import VAT self-assessment from 2022
- BOFiP: VAT normal rate (20%)
- European Commission: EU Customs Tariff (TARIC)
- INERIS AIDA: Order of 18 July 2000 on dangerous goods in seaports
- Port of Marseille Fos: Key figures 2025
- Dunkerque-Port: Maritime solutions
- Wikipedia: Port of Le Havre (pilotage, main cargoes)
- Shipa Freight: Shipping to France (UN/LOCODE, distance to Paris)
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Le Havre
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Paris
- French customs: DELTA IE export (in production since 4 November 2025, replaces DELTA G and DELTA X)
- French customs: Confirming exit from the EU (ECS, VAT exemption)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% rate, import VAT, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026