France - Import & Export Regulatory Guide
France applies the EU Union Customs Code through Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI). Dual-use export controls sit with the Service des Biens à Double Usage (SBDU) under the DGE. The Loi de Vigilance (2017) adds human-rights and environmental duty of care for large groups.
Regulatory authorities
- Customs entry, DELTA-G filings, excise, sanctions checks.
- Dual-use export licences, EGIDE portal.
- DGAL / DGCCRFFood, plant, animal, consumer protection.
- ARCEP / ANFRRadio equipment conformity.
Licensing regimes
| Licence | Scope | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-use export licence | EU Reg 2021/821; EGIDE portal. | SBDU |
| War-material licence (AEMG) | Common Military List; CIEEMG inter-ministerial commission. | SGDSN/DGA |
| OEA (AEO) | AEOC / AEOS trusted trader. | Douanes |
| CBAM declarant | From Jan 2026 for CBAM goods. | DGEC |
- · EU comprehensive-sanctioned origins.
- · Counterfeit and pirated goods (EU Reg 608/2013).
- · Torture goods (EU Reg 2019/125).
- · Ivory (national ban tighter than CITES).
- · Dual-use items and national catch-all.
- · Wines & spirits appellations (INAO regime).
- · Cultural goods over age/value thresholds - export licence.
- · EUDR commodities from Dec 2025.
- · CE marking; French-language user information (Loi Toubon).
- · Food origin labelling - Décret 2016-1137 & subsequent extensions on dairy, meat.
- · Triman recycling logo mandatory since Jan 2022 on consumer packaging.
- · EU sanctions transposed via Code monétaire et financier; DGT central register.
- · OFAC coordination through Trésor Direction Générale.
- · Sensitive on Russia (packages 1-14+), Iran, DPRK, Syria, Belarus.
Dispute resolution
Contentious objection to Douanes within 3 years; Tribunal judiciaire competent. ICC International Court of Arbitration is Paris-based; strong CCI Paris commercial arbitration ecosystem. NY Convention party since 1959.
Key official sources
Frequently asked questions (2)
Companies with 5,000+ FR employees (or 10,000+ globally including French subs) must publish an annual Vigilance Plan covering human-rights, environmental and health-safety risks across their supply chain and subsidiaries. Victims can sue for remediation in the Paris judicial tribunal.
Since Jan 2022, all consumer packaging placed on the FR market must carry the Triman logo plus product-specific sorting instructions (info-tri). Non-compliance triggers CITEO eco-contribution penalties and DGCCRF fines up to EUR 15k per unit.
Compliance-ready templates for cross-border trade
Sanctions screening, KYC and end-use documentation are the first thing customs and correspondent banks check. Start with these free templates.