France · General Products

Importer Obligations in France

A practical guide to Importer Obligations for general products sold in France: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

The importer must verify compliance and hold the technical file for the authority; Online sellers shipping consumer goods into France

Authority

Ministry for the Ecological Transition

Legal basis

AGEC Law 2020-105

Local representative

A local responsible operator is required

Timeline

Before sale

Cost

Varies by product and testing scope

If you do not comply

Withdrawal, fines, and liability

Who needs this

The importer must verify compliance and hold the technical file for the authority
Online sellers shipping consumer goods into France

Documents you need

Importer compliance checklist
Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Importer compliance checklist
Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity

How to comply

Verify the technical file before import
Identify the applicable product safety rules
Assess risks and test where required
Prepare the declaration and technical file

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Importer Obligations — France
Product category: General Products
Authority: Ministry for the Ecological Transition
Legal basis: AGEC Law 2020-105

Documents we already have:
  1. Importer compliance checklist
  2. Risk assessment and technical file
  3. Test reports to applicable standards
  4. Declaration of conformity

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Importer Obligations in France?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale.

Varies by product and testing scope.

Common rejection reasons

Importer cannot produce the technical file
No risk assessment
Test report missing
Instructions not in the local language

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.