Export to France
फ़्रांस को निर्यात
A large EU market for textiles, food, leather and engineering goods. French buyers are documentation-driven and place heavy weight on origin, sustainability and French-language labelling.
Market snapshot
Trade agreementEU rules apply uniformly — one compliant EU file works for France and other member states.
Duty treatmentEU Common Customs Tariff; concessional rates only on eligible lines.
Transit timeSea 22–30 days (via Le Havre / Fos-Marseille) · Air 2–3 days
What India sells mostApparel & home textiles · Leather & footwear · Spices & processed food · Auto components · Handicrafts & decor
Documents your shipment needs
Commercial invoice with buyer VAT & EORIFrench customs entry cannot be filed without both numbers.
Packing list with net/gross weightsWeights must match the bill of lading exactly.
EUR.1 / origin statementWhere preference is claimable on your tariff line.
CE conformity documentationMachinery, electricals, toys and PPE.
Transport document (B/L or AWB)Consignee as per the buyer's customs representative.
Certificates you must arrange
CE marking & declaration of conformityPlus a technical file retained for ten years.
Phytosanitary / health certificatePlant products, spices, dairy and seafood consignments.
EU organic certificateIssued by a body recognised for import into the EU.
GOTS / OEKO-TEX / leather test reportsStandard requirement for French fashion and home brands.
ISPM-15 treated wood markNon-compliant pallets are refused at the port.
Compliance and labelling rules in France
French-language labellingMandatory particulars must appear in French on consumer products.
REACH / RoHS substance complianceSVHC declarations for chemicals, textiles and electronics.
Triman & EPR markingSorting logo and EPR registration for packaged and textile goods.
EUDR deforestation-free proofLeather, wood, coffee and rubber lines need geolocation evidence.
CBAM reportingIron, steel, aluminium and cement exporters supply embedded-emissions data.
Legal and contract points before you ship
Written contract in clear termsFrench buyers expect specification, delay penalties and force majeure defined.
Commercial agent protectionEU agency rules give agents compensation on termination — draft carefully.
Payment terms & late-payment interestStatutory interest applies; put the term in the contract.
Retention of titleUseful protection until payment clears on open-account sales.
EU trademark & designFile an EUTM before showing designs at Paris trade fairs.
Where shipments to France usually get stuck
- Missing French labelling stops goods at the retailer, not at customs.
- EPR / Triman non-compliance makes the buyer refuse the consignment.
- Origin proof must be exactly matched to the invoice line.
- Sustainability questionnaires are part of buyer onboarding.
Our retired customs officers check every one of these before your file is submitted.
Other markets
Shipping to France soon?
Send us the order and your documents — an ex-customs officer reviews the file before it is filed.
Start the export check →