As of January 1, 2022, the VAT due upon release for consumption in France of goods coming from outside of the European Union, has no longer to be paid at the time of customs clearance in France and must be reverse-charged in the VAT returns filed with the French tax services.

Therefore, you no longer have to pay the VAT to French customs when the goods are cleared. The VAT must be reverse-charged (declared as VAT due) on French VAT returns, and is in principle deducted in the same return. This is a simple book entry so no cash advance is required.
In case of a tax audit, any failure to reverse charge shall be subject to a penalty of 5% of non reverse-charged VAT amount.

If you plan to import goods in France, you have to apply for a French VAT number. As a matter of fact, the number must be obtained prior to importation and the registration may take approximately one month for companies established outside the European Union and 3 months for companies established in a Member State of the EU.

To this end, please contact us rapidly in order to obtain our fee proposal.