E-commerce in France

Would you like to expand your online store to France? The French e-commerce market is one of the largest in Europe. Along with Germany and the United Kingdom, France ranks among the top three largest European online markets. French consumers also purchase products from foreign online stores. In 2021, 15% of e-commerce purchases were made abroad. So it definitely makes sense to target the French market with your online store. The French are increasingly shopping on mobile devices—a trend also known as m-commerce. Therefore, make sure your French online store is easily accessible and readable on mobile devices. With Clonable , you can create a French website or online store in no time. In addition to translating your online store into French, a successful market entry also requires the right online marketing strategy. After all, France has its own unique search behavior and specific consumer preferences.

Expanding an online store to France: online purchasing behavior of French consumers

• 91% use track & trace

• 89% want the package delivered to their home

• 72% think packaging should be recyclable

• 56% prefer sustainable delivery

• 29% expect to buy more from neighboring countries in the future

Figures: Crossborder e-commerce shopper research conducted by the International Postal Cooperation (IPC)

Targeted online marketing in France for your online store

Setting up a French online store with Clonable is step one. To actually attract French visitors and customers, targeted online marketing in France is essential. This includes adapting your SEO metadata to French search culture, running local Google Ads, and tailoring your message to French consumer preferences. Be sure to check out our complete guide to online internationalization.

Doing Business in France: Laws, VAT, and Regulations

Only if your products comply with EU legislation can you sell them freely in France. Be sure to check first that France's product requirements are the same as those in the Netherlands. Additional requirements apply in France for selling food supplements, foodstuffs and medicines. There may also be certain rules regarding the labeling of products. Therefore, research carefully what your products must meet before entering the market in France.

There are also different laws and regulations if you sell to French customers. For example, a strict environmental law, the "Responsabilité Élargie du Producteur (REP). You must comply with this if you sell packaged products through your online shop to French people. According to French law, you are responsible for managing packaging.

In addition, the "destination country principle" applies when you sell products from your webshop to French consumers. This means that you invoice your French customer with French VAT: the TVA; Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée. Only if your total amount together with your other sales to customers remains under the threshold of €10,000, you may continue to charge Dutch 21% VAT as a Dutch webshop.