CGV Sur Facture Template for France

CGV Sur Facture (General Terms of Sale on Invoice) is a crucial legal document that establishes the contractual framework for commercial transactions in France. This document incorporates your standard terms and conditions directly onto your invoices, creating a binding agreement between you and your customers at the point of sale. Under French commercial law, these terms provide essential legal protection while ensuring compliance with mandatory disclosure requirements.

When do you need this document?

You need CGV Sur Facture whenever you conduct business-to-business transactions in France. Article L441-6 of the Code de Commerce requires that general terms of sale be communicated to any professional buyer who requests them. This document is essential when selling products or services to other businesses, establishing clear payment terms, delivery conditions, and liability limitations. It's particularly important for companies with regular commercial relationships, as it standardizes your contractual terms across all transactions and reduces the risk of disputes.

Key legal considerations

Your CGV Sur Facture must include mandatory information such as complete party identification including SIRET numbers, detailed product or service descriptions, and transparent pricing including VAT. Payment terms are critical - you must specify payment deadlines, late payment penalties, and applicable interest rates in accordance with the LME law. Delivery conditions should clearly define timelines, transfer of risk, and liability limitations. Warranty provisions must comply with French consumer protection laws, and dispute resolution clauses should specify applicable jurisdiction. Ensure your terms don't contradict mandatory consumer protection rules or unfair contract term regulations.

Legal requirements in France

French law imposes specific requirements for commercial terms of sale. Under the Code de Commerce, payment terms between professionals cannot exceed 30 days from invoice date, or 45 days end-of-month. Late payment penalties must be clearly specified and cannot be below the ECB refinancing rate plus 10 percentage points. The document must identify both parties completely, including company registration numbers and registered addresses. For B2B transactions, you must include statutory recovery costs of €40 for debt collection. EU Directive 2011/83/EU provisions apply when selling to consumers, requiring specific information about withdrawal rights and delivery terms. Your CGV must be written in French when conducting business in France, and any unfair terms may be deemed void under consumer protection legislation.