Why I decided to ship the LEGO Pink Alstroemeria from the US to my home in France

February 23, 2026

My latest LEGO obsession

I have always been a fan of the Botanical Collection, but when I saw the LEGO Icons Pink Alstroemeria (10343), I knew I had to have it for my desk. It is February 2026, and even though this set has been out for a year, finding it at a decent price here in France is still surprisingly difficult. I spent my weekend looking through local toy stores in Paris, only to find that stock is low and prices are significantly marked up compared to what my friends in the States are paying.

Why I decided to ship the LEGO Pink Alstroemeria from the US to my home in France
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I realized that if I wanted to add these beautiful pink blooms to my collection without overspending, I needed to look further afield. My experience with international shopping has taught me that sometimes the best deals are hidden across the Atlantic, especially when US retailers offer bundles that we just do not see in Europe.

It is interesting to see how the LEGO Icons Pink Alstroemeria has maintained its popularity well into 2026. I think the appeal lies in the detail of the petals and the fact that it fits perfectly with the older wildflower bouquets. While I was browsing some us trends, I noticed that the Alstroemeria is frequently bundled with other botanical sets at major US retailers, making the per-unit cost much lower than the individual MSRP we see in French boutiques.

Another reason I am seeing this trend everywhere is the "Smart Shopper" movement. Many of us in the LEGO community are no longer content with just paying the local price. We are looking at global inventory. Because the US market is so large, retailers there often have surplus stock of the 10343 set, leading to discounts that help offset the cost of getting it delivered to France.

The math behind buying from the USA

I wanted to be sure that I was actually making a smart financial move. I started by checking the current retail price in France, which was hovering around €65-€70 at specialty shops. Meanwhile, I found a US retailer selling the same set for $49.99, and they even had a buy-one-get-one 20% off deal on Botanical sets.

I used a shipping calculator to see if the cost of air freight would eat up my savings. By using a tax-free us address in Oregon, I managed to avoid the US sales tax entirely, which usually adds another 7% to 10% to the price. When I added up the discounted product price and the shipping fee, the total was still about €15 cheaper than buying it locally. Plus, I got a set that was actually in stock and ready to ship immediately.

My shipping estimates for the 10343 set

If you are thinking about following my lead, I have put together some estimates based on my own package details. This should help you figure out your own costs when you shop us store options.

Specification Estimate
Box Weight Approx. 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
Box Dimensions Small (Approx. 26 x 19 x 6 cm)
Volumetric Warning Low. This box is quite compact, so volumetric weight is rarely an issue unless you bundle 5+ sets.
Battery Check No lithium batteries. No special dangerous goods handling required.

How I handled the logistics

I did not just order directly from the store to my French address, as many US retailers either do not ship internationally or charge an arm and a leg for it. Instead, I used a freight forwarder. This gave me a dedicated suite in the US where I could send my LEGO box.

I found the how it works guide on their site very helpful for my first time. Basically, the store ships to the warehouse, and then the forwarder ships it to me in France. I was able to choose from several international shipping rates depending on how fast I wanted my flowers to arrive. I opted for a standard express service which took about 5 business days to reach my door in Lyon.

A quick step-by-step guide for my fellow French builders

My process was fairly straightforward. First, I signed up for a US shipping address. Then, I went to the US LEGO shop and entered that address at checkout. Once the package arrived at the warehouse, I received a notification. I checked the shipping fees one last time, paid for the international leg, and waited for the delivery truck. It was much simpler than I expected, and I felt like a pro for bypassing the local stock shortages.

Importing to France: What I learned

I should mention the part about taxes, as that is always a concern for us in France. Since the package is coming from outside the EU, I knew I would have to pay TVA (VAT). When my package arrived, I paid the 20% VAT on the declared value of the item. Even with this tax, my total cost was still lower than the French retail price because the initial US purchase price was so much lower.

I also learned that for items under €150, the process is usually very fast with major carriers. My LEGO set cleared customs in less than a day. If you are looking to save some money and you do not mind waiting a few extra days for delivery, I highly recommend looking at the US market. My Pink Alstroemeria looks fantastic, and I have the satisfaction of knowing I got a great deal on it in 2026.

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