Online Store Terms and Conditions - France. Expansion into the French Market

France is the second-largest e-commerce market in Europe. In 2023, online sales there were expected to reach approximately €160 billion. It's no wonder that a growing number of Polish entrepreneurs are choosing to expand their sales in France. Key advantages of this market include a large number of active users , a relatively high average shopping cart value, and a significant share of purchases made via mobile devices.  

What do you need to prepare before you start selling in France? One of the fundamental elements is properly prepared legal documentation, compliant with French law and EU regulations. The basic document regulating consumer rights in France is the Consumer Code - Code de la consommation  

Terms and conditions of sale

The basic document that should be on the store's website are the Conditions Générales de Vente (CGV ) – the equivalent of the sales regulations. This document should include:

  • company details (including address),
  • detailed purchasing procedure,
  • payment rules and deliveries,
  • information about the right to withdraw from the contract,
  • warranty provisions .  

In many cases, the rules that must be precisely defined in the regulations and that must be met under French law will depend on the industry the business operates in. For example, under French law, bicycle manufacturers and importers are obligated to ensure the availability of spare parts for their products for a period of five years after their sale.  

Another key element is the Privacy Policy ( Politique de Confidentialité ) . It should be transparent and GDPR-compliant. It must include the administrator's details, the legal basis for data processing, user rights, and information about cookies and analytical tools. In this regard, it is worth following the Commission's recommendations . Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés , of which more details are given below.  

Sellers are also required to inform customers about their right to withdraw from the contract . French law stipulates a 14-day returns period. A sample withdrawal form must be provided and the procedures and potential costs for returns must be clearly described.  

Any commercial website operating in the French market must also include a " Mentions " tab. " légales " (legal information) (comparable to the German Imprint ) . This includes the full name and registration details of the company (such as SIRET, RCS, EU VAT), contact details, and – optionally – information about the hosting provider or customer service.  

We must not forget about the regulations regarding marketing consent and cookies . Recommendations established by the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés , the user must actively consent to marketing cookies (so-called opt -in). The cookie banner should include an option to choose and decline consent.  

Who monitors compliance with regulations?  

In France, there are several institutions supervising the compliance of online stores with the law:  

  • CNIL ( Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés ) – the equivalent of the Polish Personal Data Protection Office . The CNIL supervises compliance with personal data protection regulations .  

  • DGCCRF ( Direction générale de la concurrence , de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes ) - the French equivalent of the Office of Competition Protection 
    and Consumer . This institution monitors compliance with consumer rights, analyzes commercial practices, and the manner of reporting returns and complaints .  

  • Consumer associations – operate at the national level and can mediate 
    in disputes between consumers and entrepreneurs, as well as bringing class action lawsuits in the event of violation of consumer interests.  

Non-compliance with regulations carries not only the risk of financial penalties, but also a negative impact on brand reputation, consumer complaints and competitive action.  

Professional legal support  

Our law firm offers comprehensive legal support for e-commerce companies planning to expand into the French market. As part of our service, we prepare legal documentation in French, including CGV, privacy policies, and cookie consents . We also conduct website audits for compliance. We also advise on billing, marketing campaigns, and influencer collaborations , and prepare related documents.  

Summary  

France is a market with enormous sales potential, but also regulatory complexity. To legally and effectively run an e-commerce business, it's essential to adapt your online store to local regulations. Professional document preparation 
and implementation of solutions compliant with French law allows you to minimize legal risk and increase the chances of success.  

If you're planning to expand in France, contact us. We'll prepare your company for safe expansion and ensure you comply with applicable regulations.  

 

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