Market guide · France

Sourcing from India and China for French brands.

French brands import under the EU tariff: Indian industrial goods pay MFN while GSP is suspended, Chinese goods pay MFN plus trade defence on some lines, and Vietnamese goods use the EVFTA. France then adds the most extensive extended producer responsibility system in Europe, from packaging and textiles to toys, furniture and sports goods.

Get a free teardown in 48 hours See the duty picture

IDU: EPR number on your terms of sale
Triman: on household packaging and products
8 Jul 2026: French representative law

Duty snapshot · checked 28 September 2026 Goods into France

INIndia MFN (GSP suspended on most lines) In flux
CNChina MFN + trade defence on some lines No agreement
VNVietnam EVFTA preferences In force

Full duty picture and sources ↓

The short answer

What French buyers need to know.

As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources.

01
France applies the EU Common Customs Tariff: MFN for most Indian industrial goods while GSP is suspended (2026–2028), EVFTA rates for Vietnam, MFN plus trade defence for China. The EU–India FTA is not yet in force.
02
French EPR (REP) covers packaging, textiles and footwear, furniture, toys, sports and leisure, DIY and garden, electrical goods and batteries. Each producer registers, joins an eco-organisme and shows its IDU.
03
Since Law No 2026-602 of 8 July 2026, a producer not established in France that is subject to EPR must appoint a representative established in France.

1 · Duty picture

What you pay at the border.

As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order.

How duty works in France

Duty is charged at the EU Common Customs Tariff rate for the product’s CN code, on the customs value delivered to the EU border (a CIF-type value, so sea freight and insurance count). Import VAT is then charged at the national rate of the country of import.
The same tariff applies in every EU member state, so the duty on a product is the same in Hamburg, Rotterdam, Le Havre or Gothenburg. National differences are in VAT, packaging and product EPR, and enforcement.
A temporary flat customs duty of €3 applies to low-value e-commerce items under €150 from 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028. Brands shipping direct to consumers should budget for it.

From India

MFN on most industrial goods

In force
EU GSP preferences for India are suspended from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028 for most industrial sections: minerals, chemicals, plastics and rubber, textiles and garments, stone and ceramics, precious metals, iron and steel, base metals, machinery, electrical goods and transport equipment.
In force
Leather goods, some handicrafts and many agricultural lines keep the GSP rate. Check your CN code before assuming either way.
Concluded, not in force
The EU–India FTA was concluded in January 2026. The Commission sent its proposals to the Council in September 2026; the agreement still needs signature, European Parliament consent and ratification by India. It is not in force.

From China

MFN, plus trade defence on some lines

No agreement
No free trade agreement and no GSP: Chinese goods pay the MFN rate in the EU tariff.
In force
Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties apply to a long list of Chinese products (steel, aluminium, fasteners, e-bikes, some ceramics and chemicals among them). Always check TARIC for additional duties by exporter.

From Vietnam

EVFTA preferences

In force
The EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) has applied since 1 August 2020 and eliminates 99% of tariffs between the two, in stages. Many lines are already at zero; claim the preference with valid proof of origin.
In force
Rules of origin decide eligibility: garments, for example, need qualifying fabric origin. Chinese fabric sewn in Vietnam often does not qualify.

Agreements and measures that apply

EU–India FTAEU and India

Concluded, not in forceConcluded Jan 2026

Commission proposals with the Council since September 2026. Signature, Parliament consent and Indian ratification still to come.
EU GSP (India)EU → India

In force1 Jan 2026 – 31 Dec 2028

Preferences suspended for most industrial sections; leather goods and some handicrafts keep them.
EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA)EU and Vietnam

In forceSince 1 Aug 2020

99% of tariffs eliminated in stages; proof of origin required.
EU–ChinaEU and China

No agreement—

MFN rates, plus anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on specific products.

Model it for your product: Find the HS code Compare landed cost

2 · Product compliance

The rules your product has to meet.

EU product law applies in full; France adds EPR across many product streams and consumer information rules.

Safety

GPSR and CE marking

The General Product Safety Regulation has applied since 13 December 2024: every consumer product needs an EU-based responsible economic operator, traceability details on the product and a risk analysis. Products under harmonised laws (toys, electrical, radio, machinery, PPE) also need CE marking and a declaration of conformity.

Chemicals

REACH and RoHS

SVHCs above 0.1% in an article must be communicated to customers, Annex XVII restrictions apply to textiles, leather, plastics and more, and electrical goods must meet RoHS substance limits.

REACH guide

Packaging

PPWR, since 12 August 2026

Packaging needs conformity assessment, technical documentation and an EU declaration of conformity. Heavy metals are capped at 100 mg/kg combined, and PFAS limits apply to food-contact packaging.

PPWR guide

France · EPR

REP schemes and the IDU

Producers register in SYDEREP for each EPR stream (packaging, textiles and footwear, furniture, toys, sports and leisure, DIY and garden, electrical equipment, batteries and more), join an eco-organisme and show the unique identifier (IDU) in their terms of sale and on their website.

Packaging EPR guide

France · labels

Triman and sorting information

Household packaging and products under EPR carry the Triman logo with sorting instructions (info-tri). Agree the artwork with your supplier before printing.

France · representative

Authorised representative

Law No 2026-602 of 8 July 2026 requires any person not established in France that is subject to EPR to appoint, by written mandate, a representative established in France.

Deforestation

EUDR, from 30 December 2026

Wood, rubber, leather from cattle, coffee, cocoa, palm oil and soy products need a due diligence statement with plot geolocation. Micro and small operators follow on 30 June 2027.

EUDR guide

Carbon

CBAM

Importers of steel, aluminium and the other CBAM goods above 50 tonnes a year need authorised declarant status and embedded-emissions data from the plant. The first annual declaration is due by 30 September 2027.

CBAM guide

3 · Getting goods there

Sea lanes, transit times and Incoterms.

Indicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking.

Nhava Sheva / MundraFos-sur-Mer (Marseille)

15–22days

Mediterranean, via Suez
Ningbo / ShanghaiFos-sur-Mer (Marseille)

25–32days

Via Suez; much longer via the Cape
Ningbo / ShanghaiLe Havre

30–38days

Via Suez; 40–50 via the Cape
Nhava Sheva / MundraLe Havre

20–28days

Via Suez

Routing in September 2026: carriers were returning Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal gradually, service by service; sailings via the Cape of Good Hope take roughly 10 to 14 days longer.

Incoterms norms

FOB (named Indian or Chinese port) is the default for full containers: you control the main freight and insurance, and your forwarder books the vessel.
FCA suits LCL and air, and is safer than EXW in India, where an Indian exporter must file the shipping bill for export clearance.
Your EU company imports on its own EORI number. DDP from an Asian supplier only works if they are VAT-registered and able to act as importer in the EU, which few factories are.
EU customs value includes freight and insurance to the EU border, so CIF-level landed cost is the right basis for comparing India and China quotes.

Pick a term with the Incoterms advisor

4 · India or China

Which country suits which product.

The EPR stream a product falls into changes your cost and paperwork in France, so we identify it at the teardown stage.

Strong from India

About sourcing from India

Textiles, apparel and footwearCotton and linen garments, home textiles and leather footwear, with textile EPR data from the supplier.
Home décor and furnitureMetal, wood and stone décor and solid-wood furniture, with furniture EPR and EUDR wood evidence planned together.
Leather goodsBags and small leather goods that keep EU GSP rates, from established Indian clusters.

Strong from China

About sourcing from China

Toys and sports goodsLarge supplier base; plan CE, toy safety testing and the French toy and sports EPR schemes at once.
Small appliances and electronicsComponent depth; WEEE and battery EPR registration before the first sale.
DIY and garden productsTools, hardware and garden items, often covered by their own EPR scheme in France.

Running both? Plan a China + 1 second source

5 · How SourceSquid helps

From duty map to landed container.

Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for French brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for.

USD 390 · named factories

Supplier shortlist

Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to French requirements.

Free tool

Landed cost calculator

Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes.

Free tool

HS code finder

Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it.

USD 490 per supplier

FTA duty-saver audit

Rules of origin checked at the factory, up to 5 HS lines, so your zero-duty claim is defensible.

From USD 229 per person-day

Inspections and audits

In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China.

Compliance

French EPR and Triman

The French rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory.

Sources

Where these facts come from

Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker.

France buyer questions

Straight answers.

Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move.

anirudh@sourcesquid.co

What duty do goods from India pay in France?

France applies the EU tariff. Most Indian industrial goods pay the full MFN rate because EU GSP is suspended for India’s main industrial sections from 2026 to 2028; leather goods, some handicrafts and many agricultural lines keep GSP. The EU–India FTA is concluded but not yet in force.

Which products are covered by EPR in France?

Packaging, textiles and footwear, furniture, toys, sports and leisure goods, DIY and garden articles, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and several other streams. Producers register for each one, join an approved eco-organisme and show their unique identifier (IDU).

Do foreign brands need a representative in France?

Yes, if they are subject to EPR. Law No 2026-602 of 8 July 2026 requires a person not established in France that is subject to extended producer responsibility to appoint, by written mandate, a representative established in France.

What is the Triman logo?

A French logo that tells consumers a product or its packaging should be sorted for recycling. It is shown with sorting instructions on household packaging and on products under EPR schemes, so artwork should be agreed with the supplier before production.

Which port is best for goods from China to France?

Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille for southern France, with roughly 25 to 32 days from Ningbo or Shanghai via Suez, or Le Havre for Paris and the north, with about 30 to 38 days. These are planning ranges; confirm each carrier’s current routing.

Other market guides

Selling in more than one market?

DE · EuropeGermanyEU duty applies, GSP for India is suspended on most industrial goods, and the VerpackDG replaced the VerpackG on 12 August 2026.NL · EuropeNetherlandsRotterdam is Europe’s main Asia gateway; Dutch EPR covers packaging and textiles, on top of EU product law.SE · EuropeSweden and the NordicsSweden, Denmark and Finland use the EU tariff; Norway has had duty-free access for Indian industrial goods under TEPA since October 2025.

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