1. Your category in France
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for France: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (31 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
France applies the EU product rulebook in full, and then adds a national layer on top of it. The CE mark is the shared ticket; the EPR/REP regime is the French-specific gate — and the one that most often catches first-time sellers, because it is enforced at the point of sale (including by marketplaces) rather than at customs.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE marking | Mandatory | Electrical products fall under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) and, where radio is present, the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU). The manufacturer issues a Declaration of Conformity and holds a technical file; there is no central approval | 4–10 weeks (self-declaration route) | Pending | Pending |
| EU authorised representative | Required for non-EU sellers | Several obligations require a manufacturer outside the EU to appoint an EU-established authorised representative or importer to hold the declarations and act as the point of contact for the authorities | 1–2 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| EPR / REP registration (Triman + Info-Tri) | Mandatory | Products covered by an EPR stream must display the Triman logo and Info-Tri sorting instructions, and the producer must register with an approved eco-organisme (Citeo, Léko, Adelphe and others) to obtain an IDU (unique identifier). Applies to electricals, packaging and batteries; marketplaces check it | 2–6 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| WEEE registration (DEEE) | Mandatory | Electrical and electronic equipment must be registered under the French WEEE scheme and carry the crossed-out wheeled-bin marking, with take-back and reporting obligations through an eco-organisme | 2–6 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Batteries & EU Battery Regulation | Mandatory for batteries | Batteries carry separate EPR registration and take-back duties. Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 adds a carbon footprint declaration and a digital battery passport for industrial batteries of 2 kWh or more, EV batteries and LMT batteries, mandatory from 18 February 2027 — where the manufacturer is outside the EU, the importer carries the obligation | Long-lead — plan 12+ months | Pending | 2027-02 |
| Customs duty (EU common tariff) | Always applies | France applies the EU common external tariff; the average applied MFN rate is around 1.95% (2022). Electrical machinery is often at or near zero — confirm at HS-code level | — | Around 0–2% | Pending |
| VAT | Always applies | Import VAT at the 20% standard rate is charged on the customs value plus duty. A VAT-registered business can normally recover it as input tax | — | 20% of CIF + duty | 2026-10 |
| French-language labelling & importer of record | Mandatory | Consumer product information, safety notices and the Triman/Info-Tri marking must be in French. A French or EU-established importer of record is required; the exporter cannot act as importer for a commercial entry | — | — | Pending |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
Every company below is a real business in France taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. French procurement is document-led — a CE Declaration of Conformity, an EPR IDU and a French- speaking contact convert far better than a price sheet.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in France — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: France is one of the largest EU destinations for power electronics, with demand driven by the residential solar and storage retrofit market and by industrial energy-efficiency programmes.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain lead the source list, with Chinese share highest in inverters and portable storage.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: French buyers are specification- and service-led. Certification documents, warranty terms and a French-speaking contact matter more than the last few percent of price.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for France. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate, freight and VAT are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Transit and throughput figures change; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need anything beyond the CE mark to sell in France?
Yes. The CE mark is the shared EU requirement, but France adds a national EPR regime: covered products must carry the Triman logo and Info-Tri sorting instructions, and the producer must register with an approved eco-organisme to obtain an IDU. Electricals, packaging and batteries each have their own stream, and marketplaces check compliance.
What is the import duty and VAT?
France applies the EU common external tariff; the average applied MFN rate is around 1.95% (2022), and electrical machinery is often at or near zero — confirm at HS-code level. Import VAT at the 20% standard rate is charged on the customs value plus duty, and is recoverable by a VAT-registered business.
My product contains a lithium battery — is there anything extra?
Yes. Batteries carry separate EPR registration and take-back duties, and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 adds a carbon footprint declaration and a digital battery passport for industrial batteries of 2 kWh or more, EV batteries and LMT batteries, mandatory from 18 February 2027. Where the manufacturer is outside the EU, the importer carries the obligation — plan a long lead time.
Can I be the importer of record?
In practice, no. A French or EU-established importer of record is required, and several obligations also require an EU-established authorised representative. Most non-EU sellers therefore work through a French importer or distributor.
What payment terms are normal?
SEPA credit transfer is standard for established buyers, with T/T on first orders. Terms of 30–60 days are normal. Invoice in EUR (or USD).
Which port should I ship to?
HAROPA Port — Le Havre, Rouen and Paris — is the largest port system and the usual choice for northern France, with Marseille-Fos for the south and Dunkirk as an alternative. Tell us the final destination and we will quote to the right port.