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Selling in France: distributors, retail and marketplaces
France is one of the largest consumer markets in the EU, with strong specialist retail, large central-buying groups and its own marketplace, Cdiscount. It is also a market with clear national rules: offers in French, and packaging and product EPR with the Triman logo.
We serve France from our EU company in Poland, with French-speaking partners for offers and calls, stock in our partner warehouse in Poland and a shared CRM where you see every buyer.
How B2B buying works in France
French buyers include importers and distributors by category, central purchasing offices of retail groups and cooperatives, wholesalers for independent shops, promotional-product agencies and online retailers. Many independent retailers buy through a group or a central office, so one listing can reach many shops.
Business is done in French. Buyers value a stable relationship, a proper presentation of the product and the company, and reliable after-sales service. Negotiations can take time, and listing with a large buyer often depends on the season and the annual buying calendar.
What Chinese suppliers often get wrong
Sending English offers and expecting replies. Most French buyers answer much better to French, and consumer information must be in French. The other common gap is French EPR: since 1 January 2022 household products covered by an EPR scheme must carry the Triman logo with sorting information (Info-tri), and producers must be registered with the relevant schemes. Missing EPR is a reason for buyers and marketplaces to refuse a product. See EPR and packaging.
How we approach France
From our base in Poland we check EPR and labelling first, then research distributors, buying groups and chains in your category and contact them in French with native-speaking partners. Buyers can order directly from your factory under contracts in your name, or smaller lots from stock in Poland. Every introduced buyer is registered in the shared CRM. For consumer sales we can list on Cdiscount and Amazon France.
Sales channels in France
We choose the channels that fit your product, price level and order size.
Importers and distributors
Category specialists that import, hold stock and supply French retailers and professionals.
Buying groups and chains
Central purchasing offices of retail groups and cooperatives of independent shops, plus DIY and home-goods chains.
Wholesalers
Wholesalers for gift shops, garden centres, pet shops and other independent retail.
Cdiscount and online retail
Cdiscount, Amazon France and specialist online shops that buy from importers.
Corporate buyers
Promotional-product agencies and companies buying gifts and branded items.
Trade fairs
Maison&Objet in Paris for home, decoration and gifts; French buyers also visit German fairs.
Selling in France: what to know
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Language of offers | French for offers, catalogues, labels and instructions. English only for some large importers. |
| Currency and payment | Prices in euro. Buyers usually expect payment after delivery on agreed terms; large groups follow their own supplier conditions. |
| VAT | Standard rate 20%. |
| Product rules beyond EU baseline | AGEC law: EPR schemes for packaging and many product groups; Triman logo and Info-tri sorting information on household products under EPR since 1 January 2022, fines up to €15,000 for companies. EU rules (GPSR, CE where it applies, PPWR from 12 August 2026) apply as well. |
| Marketplaces | Cdiscount, Amazon France and other platforms; all ask for EPR compliance from sellers. |
| Trade fairs | Maison&Objet (Paris) for home, decoration and gifts; Ambiente, Christmasworld and Spielwarenmesse in Germany. |
| How we serve it | From our EU company in Poland, with French-speaking partners, EPR registrations through partners and stock in a partner warehouse in Poland. |
Strongest categories for France
Industries where French distributors and chains look for suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
What is French EPR and does it apply to us?
Under the French AGEC law, whoever places packaged goods and many product types on the French market must join the relevant EPR schemes and pay fees for recycling. If your buyer is not the importer, someone must take this role. We check which schemes apply to your products and arrange registrations through partners.
Do our products need the Triman logo in France?
Household products and packaging covered by a French EPR scheme must carry the Triman logo with sorting information (Info-tri). The exact Info-tri depends on the product category. We check your packaging and prepare the artwork before production.
Do French buyers accept English offers?
A few large importers do, but most buyers expect French. Consumer labels and instructions must be in French. We prepare offers, catalogues and labels in French.
Can we sell on Cdiscount without a French company?
You need a seller that meets EU and French obligations, including EPR, and serves customers in French. We can list your products from our EU company with stock in Poland. See marketplaces.
How long until the first order from France?
We cannot promise a date. First contacts usually start in the first month; buying groups and chains work to annual calendars, so a listing can take several months. Specialist distributors are often faster.
Start selling in France
Send your catalogue and prices. We reply within one working day and tell you what French EPR and buyers mean for your product.
Apply for European sales
Tell us what you make and where you want to sell. Within one working day we reply with a first view of your chances in Europe and the next step.
- Reply within 24 hours on working days
- Write in English or Chinese
- No fee until you accept a written proposal
- Emailcorp@longmeniq.com
- WhatsApp+48 794 992 599
- WeChat+48 794 992 599Add us by phone number
- Phone+48 577 723 719
- Working hoursMon–Fri, 9:00–17:00 Warsaw16:00–24:00 Beijing (winter)
- EU officeEnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o.ul. Brzeska 8/4, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland