Buying from a foreign-based website provides access to products or prices not available in France. However, international ordering comes with its own set of rules: customs, VAT, longer delivery times, and uncertain warranties. Knowing these before checking out prevents a good deal from turning into a costly headache when the package arrives.
What changes internationally
Customs, VAT, and import fees
An order from outside the European Union may be subject to import VAT and customs duties, payable upon delivery. These fees are added to the displayed price and often come as a surprise. A cheap product abroad can end up costing more than in France once taxes are added, so calculate them before buying.
Longer delivery and tracking times
Shipping from another continent takes weeks, with tracking that is sometimes silent during international transit. It is not unusual for a package to be stuck in customs for several days. Account for this delay if the purchase is urgent, and do not be alarmed if tracking seems stuck at the border.
Before ordering from outside France
Check the actual final price
Before finalizing, check if the site charges taxes at the time of order or leaves them for you to pay upon arrival. An "all-inclusive" price avoids the unpleasant surprise of the delivery person requesting fees. In case of doubt, recalculate the total to be paid by adding the estimated VAT and duties.
Track your international order
Tracking a distant order is centralized in your help and account management area, which is often easier to read than foreign carrier websites. Check the status and international tracking number there. This is also where you will find the invoice, which is useful in case of customs checks or disputes.
Warranties and remote returns
Applicable law based on the seller
A seller outside the European Union is not held to the same rules as a French merchant, particularly regarding withdrawal rights and warranties. Check what the site actually promises, regardless of your usual rights. A marketplace sometimes applies its own protections, which may be more favorable than those of an individual seller.
Returning a package abroad
Sending a product back to the other side of the world is expensive and time-consuming. Check who pays for the return and to what address, via the contact page if it is not clear. A costly international return sometimes negates the value of the purchase; weigh this carefully before ordering an item you are unsure about.
In case of problems
Package stuck in customs
A package held in customs is often waiting for documentation or payment of fees. The seller's or carrier's support team will provide instructions on what to do. A package in customs is not lost; it is generally waiting for a formality or payment to be released. Keep the invoice handy.
International delivery subscriptions
For regular purchases abroad, a delivery subscription can smooth out shipping costs, which would otherwise be steep for every order. Check that it covers your country and the type of products in question. For international shipments, the savings become significant after just a few orders per year.