Conditions Générales de Livraison Template for France

Les Conditions Générales de Livraison constituent un document contractuel essentiel qui régit les relations commerciales entre un fournisseur et ses clients concernant la livraison de produits. Ce contrat définit précisément les modalités d'exécution des prestations de livraison, les responsabilités de chaque partie et les conditions dans lesquelles les risques sont transférés, le tout dans le respect de la législation française applicable.

When do you need this document?

You need General Delivery Conditions when you operate as a supplier delivering products to customers in France. This document is particularly crucial if you manage an e-commerce business, operate a wholesale distribution company, or provide regular delivery services to retailers. Whether you're selling physical goods online, operating a logistics company, or managing B2B commercial relationships involving product delivery, these conditions protect your business interests while ensuring compliance with French commercial law. They're also essential when you want to clearly define delivery zones, establish delivery timeframes, and specify the conditions under which goods are considered delivered.

Key legal considerations

Several critical legal aspects must be carefully addressed in your delivery conditions. The transfer of risk clause is fundamental, as it determines when liability for goods passes from you to the customer, typically upon delivery or handover. You must clearly specify delivery timeframes and any penalties for delays, while ensuring these terms comply with French consumer protection laws. The document should define your delivery zones and any geographical limitations, as well as establish procedures for failed deliveries or customer absence. Additionally, you need to address force majeure situations that may prevent delivery, outline your liability limitations within legal bounds, and specify the customer's obligations regarding delivery acceptance and inspection of goods upon receipt.

Legal requirements in France

Under French law, your delivery conditions must comply with the Code civil concerning contract formation and execution, particularly articles 1101 to 1231-7. The Code de commerce regulates commercial relationships and delivery obligations, while the Code de la consommation provides specific protections for consumer contracts that you must respect. If you're dealing with consumers, the transposed EU Consumer Rights Directive and the Hamon Law impose additional disclosure requirements about delivery costs, timeframes, and return procedures. Your conditions must clearly inform customers about delivery costs, estimated delivery times, and their right to cancel orders before delivery in consumer transactions. You're also required to provide tracking information where applicable and ensure that delivery terms don't create unfair advantages that could be deemed abusive under French competition law.