Consumer returns and warranty in France (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: For purchases by internet, phone or post, buyers have 14 calendar days to cancel. The legal guarantee covers defects that appear within 2 years of delivery. Defects are presumed to have existed at delivery for 24 months on new goods and 12 months on second-hand goods.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchase | For a purchase by internet, phone or post, the buyer has at least 14 calendar days to change their mind without giving a reason. The seller must refund the goods or service. If the seller did not give information about the right, the period can be extended, in some cases up to 12 months. [1] |
| Returns from shopsReturning a purchase | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchase | The seller must provide the legal guarantee of conformity on every product. It covers defects that existed at delivery and appear within 2 years of delivery, whether the goods are new, second-hand or refurbished. It applies only to sales by a professional seller to a non-professional buyer. [2] |
| Burden of proofReturning a purchase | For 24 months after delivery of new goods, the defect is presumed to have existed at delivery, so the buyer does not have to prove it. For second-hand goods the presumption lasts 12 months. After that the buyer must show the defect existed at delivery. [2] |
| Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchase | No right to cancel for goods made to the buyer's specification or clearly personalised, goods that spoil quickly, sealed goods unsuitable for return for hygiene or health reasons once opened, goods inseparably mixed with other items, opened CDs, DVDs and software, newspapers and magazines (except subscriptions), digital content once started with the buyer's consent, services fully performed with consent, and goods or services priced on financial-market fluctuations. Also excluded: public auctions and some accommodation, transport, car hire, catering and leisure bookings with a set date. [1] |
Notes
- The page read covers purchases made by internet, phone or post. It does not state a rule for goods bought in a shop.
- The page gives 24 months for new goods and 12 months for second-hand goods in its summary. Its detailed text treats refurbished goods like second-hand goods, so refurbished goods are not stated here.
Sources
- Service Public / DILA / DGCCRF: Achat à distance : droit de rétractation du consommateur (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Service Public / DILA: Achat d'un produit : garantie légale de conformité (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.