How to Import Custom Clothing to France: Duty, VAT, Labels

How to import custom clothing to France: register an EORI number, classify each style, and budget EU duty that is often around 12% for many garments plus 20% French VAT. Ocean freight from Asia usually takes 30–45 days, and labels need French text, fibre content and Triman sorting information.

France is one of Europe's largest clothing markets, with strong demand for quality basics, fashion and sustainable products. Importing from outside the EU is straightforward once you are set up, but French rules on labelling, sorting information, textile EPR and unsold goods go further than many other EU countries. This guide first walks through landed cost, then gives a compliance checklist. It is general guidance, not legal or customs advice; confirm details with a customs broker and French customs (douane).

What does it mean to import custom clothing to France?

To import custom clothing to France is to bring garments made to your own design outside the EU into French customs territory as the importer, clearing them with French customs under an EORI number, paying EU duty that is often around 12% plus 20% French VAT, and meeting French and EU rules on labelling, sorting information and textile producer responsibility. With complete documents, clearance often takes 1–3 days after arrival.

Part 1: Landed cost walkthrough

Landed cost is the total cost to get one garment into your French warehouse. Work through each line in order.

Line 1: Factory price and incoterm

Start with the factory price and the incoterm. FOB means you pay freight from the port of origin; DDP means the supplier or forwarder handles duty and VAT. Our FOB vs DDP pricing guide explains the trade-offs.

Line 2: Freight and insurance

Ocean freight from Asia to Le Havre or Marseille-Fos usually takes about 30–45 days port to port. Air freight to Paris takes about 3–7 days but costs much more. Add insurance and inland delivery.

Line 3: Customs value

The EU usually calculates duty on the CIF value: the cost of the goods plus freight and insurance to the EU border. Make sure invoices show the correct values.

Line 4: Duty

France applies the EU common customs tariff. Garments are classified in chapter 61 (knitted) or chapter 62 (woven). Many lines carry duty around 12%, but some differ, so check each style's code in the EU TARIC database. Preferential origin from countries with EU trade agreements or schemes can reduce duty if rules of origin are met.

Line 5: Import VAT

French import VAT is usually 20% on the customs value plus duty and certain costs. VAT-registered businesses can usually recover it, and France uses import VAT autoliquidation, where VAT is declared on the VAT return rather than paid at the border.

Line 6: Broker, handling and compliance costs

Add customs broker fees, port handling, and the cost of labels, EPR contributions and testing. These are small per unit but add up.

Part 2: Compliance checklist

Check 1: EORI and importer set-up

Get an EORI number before your first shipment. Non-EU brands can import through an EU customs representative or a DDP partner.

Check 2: Fibre composition labels

The EU textile regulation requires fibre composition labels using standard fibre names. In France, consumer information should be available in French. Care symbols are widely used but not mandatory under EU law. Our care label and fiber content compliance guide explains the EU rules.

Check 3: Triman and sorting information

French rules require many consumer products, including clothing, to carry the Triman logo and sorting information (Info-tri), shown on the product, the packaging or digitally depending on the case. Prepare artwork early.

Check 4: Textile EPR with Refashion

Companies placing clothing on the French market usually must join an EPR scheme, mainly Refashion, declare quantities and pay eco-contributions. Members receive a unique identifier that may be needed for marketplaces. Our EU textile EPR guide explains how EPR is spreading across Europe.

Check 5: Environmental information and unsold goods

The AGEC anti-waste law requires some producers above certain thresholds to provide environmental information about products, and it bans the destruction of unsold non-food products, which must be donated, reused or recycled. Plan quantities carefully.

Check 6: Chemical safety

EU REACH restricts certain chemicals in textiles, such as some azo dyes and other restricted substances. Ask suppliers for test reports for your products.

Getting quotes from several factories? Add Weavnora to the list: we make imported tees and hoodies and reply with an itemised quotation. Submit your brief or read the apparel importer programs page.

DDP forwarder vs own customs broker: which option fits?

Many brands choose between a DDP forwarder that handles everything and importing in their own name with a broker. The table compares them.

The trade-offs are simplicity against control and cost. Many brands start with DDP and move to their own EORI and broker once volume grows.

Which documents should you prepare?

Prepare a commercial invoice with values and incoterm, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, any origin certificates or statements for preferential duty, and test reports where needed. Keep documents for audit.

How do you calculate an example landed cost?

Model each line per unit: factory price, freight and insurance, duty at the TARIC rate on the CIF value, VAT on value plus duty (recoverable if registered), broker and handling fees spread per unit, and EPR contributions. Compare scenarios with ocean and air freight and with different origins. Our apparel manufacturing cost and pricing hub links tools for building a cost model.

How long does a first import to France take?

A typical first order runs like this: about 1–2 weeks to set up EORI, VAT and a broker or DDP partner; about 30–50 days of production after sample approval; about 30–45 days of ocean transit, or 3–7 days by air; and about 1–3 days for customs clearance with complete documents. Label artwork, Triman information and EPR registration should be finished before bulk production starts, because labels are sewn in at the factory. Add a buffer of one to two weeks for port congestion and holidays such as Chinese New Year.

Common mistakes when importing clothing to France

• Forgetting the EORI number before the first shipment.
• Using labels without French text or Triman information.
• Ignoring textile EPR registration with Refashion.
• Guessing tariff codes instead of checking TARIC.
• Over-ordering stock that cannot legally be destroyed.

How to import custom clothing to France: typical specs and key numbers

These are typical industry estimate ranges, not quotes; confirm actual figures with your supplier for your fabric, quantity and destination.

Key takeaways

• Get an EORI and decide between DDP and your own broker.
• Budget EU duty, often around 12%, plus 20% French VAT.
• Prepare French-language labels with Triman and sorting information.
• Join a textile EPR scheme before selling.
• Model landed cost line by line.

Plan your France imports with Weavnora

Weavnora helps brands plan production and imports into Europe. Browse more guides in the apparel manufacturing cost and pricing hub, or contact us with your products and volumes to discuss options.

Ready to get pricing? Request a quote from Weavnora with your style, fabric, quantities and destination, or see our apparel importer programs page for the range we produce.