Why I chose to ship my Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L from the US to France instead of buying locally

The hype behind the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L

I’ve been watching the ultralight hiking scene closely this year, and if you've been on any gear forums in 2026, you know the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L is the piece everyone wants. Interestingly, a lot of this momentum started in Japan, where hikers have a massive appreciation for US-made cottage industry gear. Because Japanese boutique shops often mark up these packs by nearly 40%, hikers there started importing them directly. That trend has trickled over to us here in France.

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The Ultra fabric is incredibly durable for its weight, and the patented arc frame keeps the pack off your back, which is a lifesaver during those humid summer treks in the Pyrenees. But as I quickly realized, finding one in stock at a European retailer at a fair price is almost impossible. Most local shops that do carry it add a massive "import convenience fee" that makes my wallet cry.

The math: Saving money by importing to France

I did a bit of number crunching before I hit the buy button. A local boutique in Paris was listing the Arc Haul Ultra for nearly €550. When I looked at the US price, it was significantly lower, even when factoring in the exchange rate. I realized that if I managed the logistics myself, I could save at least €100 to €150.

To get an accurate picture of the total cost, I used a shipping calculator to estimate the journey from the US to my door. Even with the current 2026 international shipping rates, the total cost—including the pack and the ride across the Atlantic—stayed well below the local retail price. For me, that’s a no-brainer.

How I used a freight forwarder to get my gear

Since Zpacks is a US-based company, shipping directly to France can sometimes be restrictive or overly expensive depending on the carrier they choose. I prefer to have more control over my packages. I used comGateway as my freight forwarder to bridge the gap. By using their tax-free US address in Oregon, I avoided US sales tax entirely, which already saved me about 8-10% right off the top.

Once my backpack arrived at the warehouse, I was able to choose my preferred carrier. I’ve found that international shipping is much smoother when you can pick between options like DHL or FedEx based on who has the best reputation for French customs clearance at the moment.

When the store says no: Using the BuyForMe service

One thing I’ve learned while hunting for US gear is that some stores can be quite picky. While Zpacks is generally easy to work with, many major US retailers like Nike, Sephora, or Apple often block international credit cards or automatically decline orders that are being sent to a known freight forwarder address. It’s incredibly frustrating to see your order cancelled minutes after placing it.

This is where I rely on the BuyForMe service. Essentially, we tell comGateway what we want, and they buy it on our behalf using a US domestic credit card. This is the safest way to guarantee an order goes through without a hitch. If you're trying to snag a limited edition item or shopping from a store that hates non-US billing addresses, this proxy shopping solution is the only way to go. It completely removes the risk of your order getting flagged and cancelled.

Managing international shipping and import tax in France

When you buy from US ship to France, you have to be prepared for the TVA (VAT) and potential customs duties. In 2026, French customs are quite efficient, but they are strict. I always make sure to budget for the 20% TVA. Even with that **import tax** added to the total, my Zpacks backpack was still cheaper than buying it through a middleman in Europe.

I’ve found that using a professional international shipping service makes the documentation process much easier. They provide the necessary paperwork so my gear doesn't get stuck in a warehouse at Charles de Gaulle airport for weeks. If you are looking to upgrade your hiking kit this year, I definitely recommend looking at the US market; the savings are real if you use a reliable partner to get it home.