Why I found it impossible to find my size in the New Balance 990v7 in France and the US secret I used

My experience with the New Balance 990v7 hype

I have been a dedicated fan of the 990 series for years, so when the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' Core Collection finally dropped in early May 2026, I was ready. The v7 iteration is a significant step forward from the v6, featuring a refined FuelCell midsole and a more streamlined aesthetic that still honors its heritage. I noticed that the initial global reception was massive, but there was a catch that I didn't see coming: the distribution rollout was heavily skewed toward the North American market.

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While looking through top us deals, I realized that the US retail price was significantly lower than the projected European launch price. In France, we often face a price hike that doesn't just reflect the exchange rate but includes a heavy premium for the 'Made in USA' label. I wanted that classic grey colorway, but I didn't want to wait until late summer for a local release that might never happen in my specific size.

The hidden sizing barrier in French retail stores

The biggest obstacle I encountered wasn't just the price; it was the sizing. In France, most boutiques and even flagship stores only carry the standard 'D' width for men and 'B' width for women. As someone who requires a 2E wide fit for long-distance walking, I found that French retailers simply do not stock these variations. We are often left with a 'one size fits all' approach to width that ruins the ergonomic benefits of the 990v7.

I searched every major shop in Paris, and the response was always the same: "We only order the standard width." This is the invisible barrier for French sneakerheads. If you have feet that aren't perfectly average, the local market ignores you. I decided I had to shop us store options directly to get the actual variety that New Balance produces in their Maine and Massachusetts factories.

Shipping Estimates for the 990v7 Core Collection

When I planned my import, I had to be precise about the logistics. I didn't want any surprises when the package hit the border. Based on my order, here is what I found for the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' Core Collection:

How I used a tax-free US address to shop the Core Collection

To bypass the regional restrictions on the New Balance US website, I utilized a forward packages service. I set up a tax-free us address in Oregon, which is essential because it eliminates the US sales tax (usually around 7-10%) before the item even leaves the country. This helps offset the eventual shipping costs to France.

I encountered a slight issue where my French credit card was flagged by the US checkout system. To solve this, I used the assisted purchase service. I simply provided the link to the specific 990v7 2E width I needed, and they handled the transaction for me. It was a seamless way to ensure I didn't lose out on the limited stock during the launch week.

Calculating the cost of importing to France

Before I committed, I used the shipping calculator to see if the total cost would still be lower than the French retail price. Even with the international shipping fee, the total came out to be about €40 cheaper than what I would have paid at a boutique in Le Marais—if they even had my size. My choice to use a freight forwarder felt justified the moment I saw the final quote. We often assume international shipping is a deal-breaker, but for premium 'Made in USA' goods, the math often favors the US buyer.

My experience with French customs and VAT in 2026

In 2026, importing to France means dealing with the standard VAT (TVA) of 20%. When my 990v7 arrived at Charles de Gaulle, the customs process was handled by the carrier. Because I had used a reputable parcel forwarding service, all the paperwork was correctly filled out. I received a notification to pay the VAT online, which took about two minutes.

My pair arrived in Lyon just six days after leaving the Oregon warehouse. I now have the 990v7 in the specific wide fit I need, months before my friends in France can even find a standard pair. If you are tired of the limited selections in our local malls, I highly recommend looking toward the US Core Collection. It changed how I view my sneaker collection, and I no longer feel restricted by what a local buyer decides to put on the shelves in Paris.