Importing Jewelry to France: Guide

Importing Jewelry to France: Guide for Wholesale Buyers

France is one of Europe's most demanding jewelry markets — and one of the most rewarding for buyers who get compliance right. French consumers buy fashion jewelry at high volume through e-commerce, concept stores, and chain retail, but French customs and consumer protection authorities enforce import rules strictly. This guide covers what wholesale buyers actually need to know about customs duties, VAT, and REACH compliance when importing jewelry from China into France.

How French Customs Classifies Imported Jewelry

Your duty rate depends entirely on the HS code applied to your shipment. Fashion jewelry (also called "fantasy jewelry") falls under Chapter 71 of the EU Combined Nomenclature:

• HS 7117.11 — Cufflinks and studs: base metal, including plated
• HS 7117.19 — Imitation jewelry of base metal, whether or not plated with precious metal (this covers most titanium steel, 316L stainless steel, and gold-plated brass/steel pieces)
• HS 7117.90 — Imitation jewelry of other materials (plastic, glass, wood, etc.)
• HS 7113 — Articles of precious metal (applies only to genuine sterling silver or solid gold pieces)

For base-metal fashion jewelry under 7117.19, the EU conventional duty rate is generally 4% of the customs value. Sterling silver jewelry under heading 7113 typically carries a higher rate. Customs value is the product cost plus international freight and insurance (CIF basis) — so your freight terms matter. Always ask your supplier to state the correct HS code on the commercial invoice; misclassification is the most common cause of customs delays at French entry points such as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle or Le Havre.

French VAT: What You Pay and When

France applies a standard VAT rate of 20% to imported jewelry. There is no reduced rate for fashion jewelry. Key mechanics:

• Import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus duty plus freight — not just the goods price.
• If you are a VAT-registered business with a French or EU VAT number, you can generally recover import VAT through your VAT return.
• Since the EU's 2021 e-commerce reforms, shipments valued under €150 still require VAT collection, and platforms or importers must account for it. Do not assume small parcels pass through untaxed.
• Non-EU sellers shipping directly to French consumers may need to register for VAT under the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) or appoint a fiscal representative.

Practical advice: confirm with your freight forwarder whether your shipment will be cleared under DDP (delivered duty paid) or DAP terms. Many first-time importers are surprised by a customs invoice that arrives after delivery.

REACH Compliance: The Non-Negotiable Requirement

REACH (Regulation EC 1907/2006) governs chemical substances in products sold in the EU, and jewelry is actively enforced. For imported fashion jewelry, the critical points are:

• Nickel release — Nickel is restricted under REACH Annex XVII Entry 27. Items in prolonged skin contact (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings) must not release more than 0.2 µg/cm²/week, and post assemblies for piercings have a stricter 0.2 µg/cm²/week threshold with a migration limit. This is why hypoallergenic, nickel-free materials matter commercially, not just medically.
• Lead and cadmium — Both are restricted in jewelry components. Cadmium is banned in jewelry at concentrations above 0.01% by weight.
• PAHs — Restricted in rubber and plastic components that contact skin.
• SVHC screening — Articles containing more than 0.1% w/w of a Substance of Very High Concern require notification under SCIP to ECHA.

France also enforces California Prop 65-style disclosure expectations through its own consumer safety framework, and French authorities have historically been aggressive on nickel and lead in imported costume jewelry. Ask your factory for material declarations and test reports before you place a repeat order, not after.

Choosing a Factory That Already Meets French Requirements

The cheapest way to fail French customs is to buy from a supplier who cannot document compliance. When vetting a wholesale jewelry factory, verify:

• Written confirmation that base-metal pieces are nickel-free and lead-free
• REACH and California Prop 65 compliance statements covering the specific materials in your order
• Plating durability data — IP/PVD vacuum plating with salt-spray testing (48-hour testing is a common benchmark) reduces tarnish claims and returns
• Clear material identification: titanium steel, 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, sterling silver, gold-plated, pearl, cubic zirconia, or moissanite

China Jewelry Factory, based in Meilong, Haifeng County, Guangdong — China's fashion jewelry manufacturing hub — produces 632 original styles across necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, sets, pendants, anklets, and brooches. All titanium steel and 316L pieces are hypoallergenic, nickel-free, and lead-free, with IP/PVD vacuum plating and 48-hour salt-spray tarnish testing. The factory is compliant with REACH and California Prop 65.

MOQ, Sampling, and Shipping to France

Low minimums let French buyers test styles before committing to volume. China Jewelry Factory offers an MOQ of just 5 pieces per style, plus OEM/ODM, private label, and custom logo with no minimum brand order and custom gift boxes. Sampling takes 7–10 days, and the factory provides 9-language support. Free shipping applies on orders over USD 50.

For French importers, a practical workflow looks like this: order samples first, confirm nickel and lead documentation, place a small mixed-style order to validate demand, then scale. Consolidate shipments where possible to reduce per-unit freight and clearance costs, and keep commercial invoices accurate — undervaluing goods to reduce VAT is a false declaration under French customs law and carries penalties.

To discuss styles, compliance documentation, or a sample order, contact the factory directly: WhatsApp +63 9690523936 or email yuhua0095@gmail.com.