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For foreign businesses trading in France that are VAT/GST/Tax registered in their home state, the VAT registration threshold is nil.
For EU VAT-registered companies selling goods over the internet to consumers in France (distance selling), the VAT registration threshold is €35,000 per annum since January 2016.
In accordance with the EU VAT Directives, a local French fiscal representative or agent is not required by a company resident in another EU member state. However, a fiscal representative, who is jointly liable for the French VAT, is required for non-EU companies.
The French tax office will require the appropriate forms to be completed and submitted with the following documentation:
Foreign companies registering for a French VAT number must submit their application with the Service des Impôts des Entreprises. This must be done within two weeks of the start of trading, or passing the VAT registration threshold.
There are no penalties for a delayed French VAT registration. However, there will be an interest charge on any VAT due.
Once the French VAT registration has been given, which can take several weeks, a unique French VAT number is allocated to the company. All EU member states have a fixed format for their VAT numbers. In France, there are four formats, as follows:
Country Code | FR |
---|---|
Format | 12345678901 X1234567890 1X123456789 XX123456789 |
Characters | 11 characters May include alphabetical characters (any except O or I) as first or second or first and second characters. |
Notes |
Once a business has its VAT number, it is free to commence trading, and charging French VAT. It must comply with the French VAT compliance rules, and file regular returns (see French VAT Returns briefing).
Non-EU businesses selling in France will need to appoint a fiscal representative alongside completing VAT registration and returns.
Fiscal representatives are responsible for the accurate VAT submissions of their non-EU clients.
Avalara offers a Fiscal Representative Service as part of its international VAT and GST Registration and Returns Service.
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