Can you bring CBD to France? Importing process and standards
With the rapid expansion of the European CBD market, many businesses and travelers are asking: Can i bring CBD to France? or is CBD legal in France in 2025? The short answer is yes—but the regulations are specific, and understanding them is essential before attempting to import, sell, or even carry CBD into the country. While France has traditionally taken a conservative approach to cannabis and hemp products, the rules surrounding CBD have evolved significantly over the last few years.
Whether you're looking to import CBD oil, CBD edibles, or CBD skincare products, it’s critical to comply with both French national laws and EU regulations. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about bringing CBD into France, including legal THC limits, labeling rules, import permits, and the documentation needed to stay compliant. For a deeper understanding of what CBD is, you can also explore what is CBD before diving into the legal framework.
Overview of French CBD Regulations and Laws
The regulatory landscape for CBD in France remains complicated in 2025. Although the European Court of Justice ruled that France cannot ban the sale of legally produced CBD products from other EU countries, domestic rules still create some grey areas. France accepts EU regulations but applies additional national restrictions, especially regarding plant materials and product safety standards.
Importing hemp seed oil, hemp seeds, hemp fiber, and defatted hemp seed flour into France is straightforward. These products do not require special licenses—only certificates proving quality and confirmation that the hemp varieties are EU-approved. However, importing CBD extracts, such as oils or edibles, requires more caution, particularly ensuring compliance with Novel Food regulations and strict THC limits below 0.3%.
It’s important to remember that raw hemp flowers and leaves remain prohibited for import into France, regardless of THC content. Moreover, even approved CBD products can still face rejection if France’s national safety authority, ANSES, raises health concerns under its nutrivigilance system. Staying updated with both EU-wide and French-specific rules is essential for any business entering this evolving market. To better understand how CBD is extracted and regulated, you can also explore hemp extraction.
CBD is not entirely legal in France
Despite EU legalization, importing CBD in France has not been without challenges. In 2019, a French organization was fined for importing CBD legally produced in another EU country. The case escalated to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which ruled in 2020 that France could not ban CBD imports from other EU states, confirming that CBD is not classified as a narcotic.
French Supreme Court opens the market for importers, but?
Further clarity came in June 2021 when the French Supreme Court ruled that the import, sale, and possession of CBD are legal if products are lawfully produced in an EU member state. However, the decision specifically mentioned extracts from fiber and seeds, leaving uncertainties around CBD extracted from flowers. Importers must stay cautious as CBD legal France regulations continue to evolve.
Requirements for Importing CBD into France
Importing CBD products into France involves strict legal conditions. Here's what you must know:
- THC Limit:
Products must contain less than 0.2% THC. Importing THC-free CBD is safer, as customs often use rapid reagent tests to detect THC content. If the test is positive, samples are sent for full laboratory analysis. France’s tight cannabis laws often raise the question: is marijuana legal in France (the answer remains no for recreational use). - Prohibited Plant Parts:
Importing CBD flowers, leaves, or stems is illegal. Only processed hemp parts like hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, hemp flour, and hemp fiber are permitted. - Required Documentation:
For CBD oils or edibles, you must provide:
➔ Certificate of Novel Food Registration (EU Novel Food listing)
➔ Certificate of Origin (proving legal hemp source)
➔ Certificate of Analysis (confirming THC compliance and product purity) - Importer Registration:
Importers must be officially registered with the Chambre de Commerce (RCS) and have an active EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number to manage customs clearance.
Importing CBD into France within the EU
Importing CBD into France from other EU member states is generally straightforward. Products must have a valid Novel Food registration, usually obtained by the manufacturer through the E-submission Food Chain Platform. Although the importer is not responsible for the original registration, they must provide a copy as proof when clearing goods through customs. Many businesses source products through this process, relying on compliance certificates already established within the EU.
Beyond novel food registration, customs officials will ask for a Certificate of Origin confirming EU-compliant hemp sourcing and a Certificate of Analysis verifying cannabinoid content and product safety. Fortunately, there are no customs duties for EU goods entering France, thanks to the single market. However, VAT still applies, and the exporter must have a valid EU VIES VAT number to invoice VAT correctly.
Businesses looking to import larger quantities may benefit from working with established CBD wholesale bulk suppliers.
Importing CBD into France to Sell
Importing CBD into France from outside the EU—such as from the USA, Canada, or Switzerland—is significantly more complex. Businesses must first ensure the product has Novel Food approval from the European Commission or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Without this registration, customs clearance is impossible. France’s cautious stance toward cannabis products persists even in 2025, reinforcing the ongoing debates around legal cannabis in France standards.
Beyond Novel Food authorization, exporters must supply a Certificate of Origin, a Certificate of Analysis, and basic shipping documents like an invoice and packing list. For non-EU imports, both customs duties and VAT apply. Importers must correctly assign an HS code to the product, as this customs code determines the applicable duty rate and must be clearly listed on the invoice.
In some cases, especially when products come from countries outside Europe's stricter regulatory frameworks, French authorities may demand local third-party lab certification. Local labs will verify the active ingredients, additives, impurities, and microbiological safety before the goods can be distributed in the French market. This additional layer of scrutiny makes it essential for businesses to prepare thoroughly when sourcing CBD internationally.
Launching a brand in France can be much easier using white label CBD oil solutions.
Importing Hemp into France
Importing hemp into France can be straightforward or highly restricted, depending on the product. Hemp seeds, hemp seed flour, and hemp fiber are legal to import with minimal requirements. These products are naturally CBD- and THC-free and treated as regular food or industrial goods, although correct HS code classification, customs duties, and VAT still apply. However, importing hemp flowers, leaves, or stems remains prohibited under French law, regardless of THC content.
For CBD extracts, oils, and edibles, the process is stricter. As of 2025, France fully treats CBD as a novel food, in line with EU regulations, requiring evaluation and approval by the European Food Safety Authority. Fortunately, EFSA has streamlined the approval process, making it faster for businesses to market CBD products across Europe, including France. Importers must provide proof of Novel Food registration, Certificates of Analysis, and ensure accurate labeling to stay compliant.
One important 2025 update is the reinforced THC limit of 0.3% in CBD products, an increase from the previous 0.2%, allowing slightly more flexibility for manufacturers. Despite these improvements, the import of raw hemp plant materials remains banned. While the CBD market in France continues to grow steadily, importers must navigate a detailed regulatory environment. Given lingering complexities, working with a customs agent is highly recommended for any CBD import activity.
Summary: Can You Bring CBD to France?
Yes, you can bring CBD into France in 2025—but only under strict conditions. While France has aligned more closely with EU laws, CBD imports must comply with novel food regulations, strict THC limits, and detailed product safety standards. Hemp seeds, seed oil, and fiber are easy to import, but CBD oils, edibles, and extracts require full documentation and approvals. Meanwhile, raw hemp flowers and leaves remain banned. Staying informed and working with professional customs agents is essential for success in the evolving French CBD market.
✅ Imporant Info:
- CBD Legal in France: Legal with THC limit under 0.3% (2025 update).
- Hemp Imports: Hemp seeds, fiber, and flour are legal and easy to import.
- CBD Flower and Raw Plant Parts: Still illegal to import into France.
- Novel Food Registration: Mandatory for CBD oils, edibles, supplements.
- Certificates Needed: Novel Food approval, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis.
- Customs Duties: No customs within EU; duties and VAT apply for non-EU imports.
- French Agencies Involved: ANSES, French Customs, Ministry of Health.
- THC Testing at Customs: Rapid reagent tests followed by lab verification if positive.
- Selling CBD in France: Requires compliant labeling; no unauthorized health claims.
- Work with Freight Partners: Strongly advised for smooth clearance and local compliance.
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
