← France hubs E-commerce Seller
France French (Français) € EUR
Myriam runs a small e-commerce business from her home, balancing logistics, tax filings, and digital marketing. This hub covers the essential French administrative, financial, and digital support systems she navigates daily to keep her shop running smoothly.
Managing auto-entrepreneur status and VAT filings is the backbone of my shop's survival.
Auto-entrepreneur status Régime de l'auto-entrepreneur national · URSSAF
Who qualifies Sole traders with annual turnover below €188,700 for sales of goods.
What you get Simplified social contribution calculation and tax reporting.
What it actually costs you 0€ to register; requires monthly or quarterly turnover declaration.
Common gotcha You must declare turnover even if it is zero, or you risk penalties.
Business Property Contribution Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises (CFE) national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques
Who qualifies All businesses, including home-based e-commerce sellers.
What you get A local tax contribution that funds municipal services.
What it actually costs you Variable amount based on premises value; usually due in December.
Common gotcha First-year businesses are exempt, but you must file a declaration to claim it.
Intracommunity VAT Number Numéro de TVA intracommunautaire national · Service des Impôts des Entreprises
Who qualifies Sellers trading with other EU countries.
What you get Ability to buy/sell goods across EU borders without paying VAT at the border.
What it actually costs you Free; requested via your professional tax account.
Common gotcha Forgetting to include this number on invoices to EU clients leads to double taxation.
Single Window for Business Formalities Guichet Unique national · INPI
Who qualifies Any business owner needing to modify or close their business.
What you get Centralized portal for all administrative changes.
What it actually costs you Free to use, though some registry modifications have small fees.
Common gotcha The interface can be slow; keep your digital certificate (FranceConnect) ready.
CFE Exemption for Micro-entrepreneurs Exonération CFE national · Direction Générale des Finances Publiques
Who qualifies Micro-entrepreneurs with turnover below €5,000.
What you get Full exemption from the CFE tax.
What it actually costs you Requires filing form 1447-C-SD.
Common gotcha It is not automatic; you must declare your turnover to trigger the exemption.
Withholding Tax Option Versement libératoire de l'impôt sur le revenu national · URSSAF
Who qualifies Auto-entrepreneurs with income below specific thresholds.
What you get Pay income tax as a percentage of turnover alongside social charges.
What it actually costs you Adds 1% to your social contribution rate.
Common gotcha If your total household income is high, this option might actually cost you more. I need grants and loans to upgrade my inventory and digital presence.
BPI France Business Support Bpifrance Création national · Bpifrance
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs looking for funding or mentorship.
What you get Access to micro-loans and business coaching.
What it actually costs you Time for business plan preparation.
Common gotcha They prioritize scalable projects; ensure your pitch focuses on growth.
ACRE Exemption Aide à la Création ou à la Reprise d'une Entreprise (ACRE) national · URSSAF
Who qualifies New business owners under specific conditions (e.g., job seekers).
What you get Reduced social contribution rates for the first year.
What it actually costs you Automatic for most, but verify eligibility on the URSSAF portal.
Common gotcha The reduction is partial and only applies to the first 12 months.
Digital Transformation Grant Chèque France Num national · France Num
Who qualifies Small businesses digitizing their operations.
What you get Financial aid to cover costs of website creation or digital tools.
What it actually costs you Proof of invoices for digital services.
Common gotcha Funds are limited and released in waves; keep checking the portal.
Zero Interest Business Loan Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ) national · Réseau Entreprendre
Who qualifies New entrepreneurs with a solid business plan.
What you get Interest-free loan to boost initial capital.
What it actually costs you Rigorous selection process and interview.
Common gotcha Requires a strong mentor-backed application.
Professional Training Fund Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF) national · Caisse des Dépôts
Who qualifies Self-employed individuals who have paid social contributions.
What you get Annual credit to spend on professional training courses.
What it actually costs you Time spent training.
Common gotcha Credits expire if not used; check your balance annually.
Disability Business Grant Aide AGEFIPH national · AGEFIPH
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs with a recognized disability (RQTH).
What you get Financial grant to help set up or sustain a business.
What it actually costs you Medical documentation and business project review.
Common gotcha Must be applied for before the business is officially registered. Shipping is my biggest operational cost; I need reliable, affordable options.
Colissimo Pro Colissimo national · La Poste
Who qualifies Business owners with a SIRET number.
What you get Discounted shipping rates and bulk label printing.
What it actually costs you Requires a professional account setup.
Common gotcha Rates are better if you commit to a minimum volume of parcels.
Relay Point Partnership Mondial Relay Pro private · Mondial Relay
Who qualifies Any e-commerce seller.
What you get Lower shipping costs for customers choosing pickup points.
What it actually costs you Per-parcel fee; no fixed contract.
Common gotcha Customers often prefer home delivery; offer both options.
Customs Export Portal Douane national · Direction Générale des Douanes
Who qualifies Sellers exporting goods outside the EU.
What you get Guidance on customs declarations and EORI numbers.
What it actually costs you Time to fill out customs declarations (CN22/CN23).
Common gotcha Missing an EORI number will cause your packages to be stuck in customs.
Chronopost Express Chronopost national · Chronopost
Who qualifies Sellers needing fast delivery.
What you get Next-day delivery services.
What it actually costs you Higher shipping fees compared to standard mail.
Common gotcha Insurance options are extra; always check the declared value.
Tracked Letter Pro Lettre Suivie national · La Poste
Who qualifies Sellers of small, flat items.
What you get Low-cost tracked shipping for small envelopes.
What it actually costs you Fixed price based on weight.
Common gotcha Only for items under 3cm thick; don't try to force thicker items.
Professional Packaging Supplies La Poste Pro national · La Poste
Who qualifies Business account holders.
What you get Bulk discounts on shipping boxes and envelopes.
What it actually costs you Purchased via the professional portal.
Common gotcha Standard retail prices are higher; always log in to your pro account. As a self-employed person, I need to ensure I have health coverage and retirement points.
Health Insurance for Self-Employed Assurance Maladie national · CPAM
Who qualifies All registered business owners.
What you get Reimbursement of medical expenses.
What it actually costs you Covered by your social contributions.
Common gotcha Ensure your Carte Vitale is updated at a pharmacy terminal.
Retirement Pension for Independents Assurance Retraite national · CNAV
Who qualifies All business owners paying social contributions.
What you get Accrual of retirement quarters.
What it actually costs you Automatic via social contributions.
Common gotcha Check your 'relevé de carrière' annually to ensure quarters are correctly credited.
Supplementary Health Insurance Mutuelle santé private · Various Insurance Providers
Who qualifies Any individual.
What you get Covers the 'ticket modérateur' (costs not covered by CPAM).
What it actually costs you Monthly premium based on coverage level.
Common gotcha Compare 'Madelin' contracts which are tax-deductible for the self-employed.
Daily Allowance for Illness Indemnités Journalières (IJ) national · CPAM
Who qualifies Self-employed who have paid sufficient contributions.
What you get Income replacement during sick leave.
What it actually costs you Requires a medical certificate from your doctor.
Common gotcha There is a waiting period (délai de carence) before payments start.
Maternity/Paternity Allowance Allocation forfaitaire de repos maternel national · CPAM
Who qualifies Self-employed parents.
What you get Financial support during maternity/paternity leave.
What it actually costs you Requires medical proof of pregnancy/birth.
Common gotcha You must stop all business activity during the leave period.
Professional Disability Insurance Prévoyance private · Insurance providers
Who qualifies Self-employed seeking extra protection.
What you get Income protection in case of long-term disability or death.
What it actually costs you Monthly premiums.
Common gotcha State coverage is very low; private 'prévoyance' is highly recommended.
One honest app. Real lives, real businesses. Free for what people need, paid only for what runs a business — on our own model, our own metal.
Where we run
Bangalore + Czechia
Our own metal · GDPR · DPDPA
