🇫🇷 Everything you need to sell in France
France is the third-largest ecommerce market in Europe with over 40 million online shoppers. French consumers prefer local language and customer service. The French market has strict EPR requirements (AGEC law), language laws (Toubon Law), and strong consumer protection. Amazon.fr, Cdiscount, and Fnac are key platforms.
🛃 Customs Notes
EU member state. EU Common External Tariff applies. 150 EUR customs duty exemption. EORI required. Extensive EPR requirements under AGEC law. Toubon Law mandates French language on all product materials.
Compliance Topics
📊 VAT / Sales Tax
French VAT (TVA) standard rate is 20%, reduced rates 10%, 5.5%, and 2.1%. Non-EU sellers storing goods in France must register for French VAT. The EU OSS threshold of €10,000 applies for intra-EU B2C distance selling. French fiscal representative may be required for non-EU businesses.
- •Standard TVA rate: 20%, reduced rates: 10%, 5.5%, 2.1%
- •EU OSS threshold: €10,000 for intra-EU B2C distance sales
- •Non-EU sellers with French warehouses must register for TVA
- •French fiscal representative required for non-EU businesses
- •CA3 monthly VAT returns via impots.gouv.fr
- •Anti-fraud software (NF525 or equivalent) required for POS systems
🚢 Customs & Import Duties
France applies the EU Common External Tariff. Import duties depend on commodity code and origin. €150 customs duty exemption for goods sold via online marketplaces. Import VAT at 20% on customs value plus duties. EORI number required for commercial imports.
- •EU Common External Tariff applies to all non-EU imports
- •€150 customs duty exemption for online marketplace sales
- •Import VAT: 20% on customs value + duties
- •EORI number required for all commercial imports
- •French customs (Douane) handles import declarations
- •EU FTAs provide preferential rates for qualifying goods
Sources:
♻️ EPR / Environmental
France has extensive EPR requirements under the AGEC law (Anti-Waste Law). Categories include packaging (Citeo), electronics (Ecosystem), textiles (Refashion), furniture, toys, sports equipment, and more. The Unique Identifier Number (IDU) is mandatory. Marketplaces verify EPR compliance.
- •AGEC law: 14+ EPR categories including packaging, electronics, textiles, furniture
- •Unique Identifier Number (IDU) required for each EPR category
- •Triman logo and sorting info required on packaging
- •Citeo: packaging EPR compliance scheme
- •Ecosystem: WEEE compliance scheme
- •Refashion: textile EPR compliance scheme
- •Marketplaces verify EPR registration before allowing sales
Sources:
🛡️ Product Safety & Labeling
France follows EU CE marking requirements and has additional French-specific labeling mandates. The Toubon Law requires French language on all product labels, instructions, and marketing materials. GPSR applies from December 2024. Products must comply with relevant EU harmonized standards.
- •CE marking required for EU harmonized products
- •Toubon Law: French language mandatory on labels, instructions, marketing
- •GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) from December 2024
- •EU Responsible Person required for products sold in the EU
- •AFNOR standards for additional French product requirements
- •French-language customer service expected by consumers
🔒 Data Privacy
The CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes) is France's data protection authority and one of the most active GDPR enforcers in Europe. France has specific rules on cookies, e-marketing consent, and data localization preferences.
- •CNIL: France's independent data protection authority
- •Cookie consent: strict opt-in required; no cookie walls allowed
- •E-marketing: prior consent required for B2C electronic marketing
- •Data Protection Officer (DPO) registration with CNIL
- •French-language privacy policy required
- •Fines up to €20M or 4% of global annual turnover
🛒 Marketplace Rules
Amazon.fr is the largest marketplace in France. Cdiscount, Fnac/Darty, and Manomano are significant local platforms. Amazon verifies EPR compliance (IDU numbers) before allowing listings. French consumer law provides strong buyer protections including 14-day withdrawal rights.
- •Amazon.fr: EPR IDU verification required for all categories
- •Cdiscount: major French marketplace with strong local presence
- •Fnac/Darty: electronics and homeware focus
- •Manomano: DIY and garden specialist marketplace
- •14-day withdrawal right (droit de retractation) mandatory
- •French consumer code applies to all marketplace transactions
Top Product Categories
Official Sources
This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, tax, or compliance advice. Consult a qualified professional and check official sources before making decisions.