Importer guide
Importing handmade rugs from India to France
Handmade rugs sit under HS headings 5701 (knotted), 5702 (woven) and 5703 (tufted). French customs (la douane) lets businesses register for an EORI number and file import declarations online, and it publishes a tool to check taxation and rules for your product. We supply the commercial invoice, packing list and Certificate of Origin, usually FOB Nhava Sheva, from 1 piece. France is an EU member, so read this with our EU guide.
Last updated: 31 October 2026
Read this first
General information, not legal or customs advice. This page summarises public official sources we opened on 31 October 2026. Tariffs, taxes and product rules change. Your customs broker or compliance adviser decides the classification, duty and labelling for your shipment.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 1 piece |
| Sampling | 5 to 20 days; sampling cost credited against the order |
| Bulk production | 8 to 16 weeks |
| Usual Incoterm | FOB Nhava Sheva; other Incoterms 2020 on request, confirmed on your quote |
| Importer of record | The buyer. Confirm duty and taxes with your customs broker |
| Documents we provide | Commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin; no phytosanitary certificate is issued |
| Certification we hold | CEPC registration only |
| Payment terms | 50% advance, 50% before dispatch |
| Sea transit, Nhava Sheva to Europe | About 20 to 35 days port to port (Europe range; our table covers Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp, so confirm French ports with a carrier) |
| Customs authority | La douane (douane.gouv.fr) |
HS classification for handmade rugs
France uses the EU tariff, which is built on the Harmonized System (WCO HS Nomenclature 2022, Chapter 57, 31 October 2026):
| Heading | Official description (shortened) | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|
| 5701 | Carpets and other textile floor coverings, knotted, whether or not made up | Hand-knotted rugs |
| 5702 | Carpets and other textile floor coverings, woven, not tufted or flocked, including Kelem, Schumacks, Karamanie and similar hand-woven rugs | Hand-woven flatweave, kilim and dhurrie; woven jute |
| 5703 | Carpets and other textile floor coverings (including turf), tufted | Hand-tufted rugs |
The French customs import page links a tool to check the taxation and rules for your product at import (douane.gouv.fr, vous souhaitez importer, 31 October 2026). You can also use EU TARIC. Your broker decides the code. The shared EU points are in the EU guide.
Duty rates. We do not quote a rate. Check the official tools for your exact code; rates change.
What documents come with a shipment
As standard we provide the commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin. We do not issue a phytosanitary certificate; a buyer who needs one for jute or seagrass should check the destination's rules with their broker. Additional compliance declarations and material-composition documents are prepared based on your market and requirements. We confirm the full document set for your order before production begins. See export and logistics and our standards.
We do not issue fire-test, flammability or other test certificates unless they are arranged for a specific order and confirmed on your quote.
Labelling, country of origin and fibre content
EU rules to raise with your adviser: Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and labelling and Regulation (EU) 2023/988, the General Product Safety Regulation. EUR-Lex and Commission material found in search describe the GPSR as applying since 13 December 2024 and as requiring an EU-based economic operator, such as an importer, to be responsible for product safety information (31 October 2026). We did not read the full legal text, so we do not say what either rule requires of a rug. Ask your adviser.
We have not verified French-language label wording from an official source; confirm what your sales channel needs.
On request from us: your own woven or sewn-in label, a barcode or QR sticker (you supply the numbers), your own packaging or polybag, and country of origin and fibre content on the label. See OEM and private label.
Who pays duty and import taxes
The douane import page lists registering your company with customs to obtain an EORI number, filing an import declaration online, and an option to benefit automatically from self-assessed VAT on imports (autoliquidation de la TVA a l'import) (douane.gouv.fr, 31 October 2026). The page gives no duty or VAT rates and does not explain who qualifies for self-assessment, so ask your broker or the douane advice line shown on that page.
For trade orders the buyer is the importer of record. We state no duty or TVA figure. For RS Living retail orders, duties and taxes, if any, are paid by the customer on delivery; see shipping to the European Union.
Incoterms: FOB Nhava Sheva by default
The usual default for this route is FOB Nhava Sheva (JNPT, Mumbai). Under FOB we clear the goods for export and load them on board at the Indian port; from that point cost and risk pass to you, and you arrange the ocean freight, destination clearance and delivery. We work to all Incoterms 2020 terms, and the term, named place and cost breakdown are confirmed on your quote before production. See export and logistics for the full list.
Retail orders are different. For orders placed through RS Living shipping to the European Union, import duties and taxes, if any, are paid by the customer to the carrier or customs on delivery, and RS Living does not collect or refund them.
From sample to container
- NDA and brief. We sign an NDA as standard before designs are shared, then you send construction, material, size and quantity.
- Sample. 5 to 20 days. The sampling cost is credited against your order. See the sampling process.
- Approval and PO. The approved sample becomes the reference for bulk. Label, barcode or QR sticker and packaging choices are confirmed here (OEM and private label).
- Bulk production. 8 to 16 weeks.
- Export documents and loading. We prepare the document set and clear the goods for export at Nhava Sheva under FOB.
- Ocean freight and import clearance. Arranged by you or your forwarder and broker. Transit time depends on the carrier and service you book.
- Air freight. Air freight for samples and urgent small orders is typically around Rs 1,000 per kg door to door (indicative, owner estimate; varies by route, weight and season).
Specifications and ordering
Constructions and materials are listed in rug specifications. For ordering see how to order and wholesale rugs. New to importing? Read how to start a rug brand.
Archived with a DOI: Importing handmade rugs from India: HS headings 5701, 5702, 5703 (Zenodo, CC BY 4.0).
Ask about your import
Send your design, size and estimated quantity. We reply within two business days, usually within one. Minimum order: 1 piece. Sampling cost is credited against your order. Payment: 50% advance, 50% before dispatch.
Buyer questions
Importing to France: your questions
What HS heading do handmade rugs use for France?
Knotted rugs 5701, woven rugs including Kelem and similar 5702, tufted rugs 5703. Your broker confirms the full EU code in TARIC.
Do I need an EORI number to import into France?
The douane import page lists registering with customs to obtain an EORI number as part of importing. Confirm the current rules with the douane or your broker.
How is TVA handled at import?
The douane page mentions an automatic VAT self-assessment option for imports. Whether you qualify, and the rate, are for your broker or adviser to confirm.
Is duty different from other EU countries?
The EU applies one customs tariff at the point of entry. See our EU guide, and check your exact code in TARIC.
How long does sea freight to Europe take?
About 20 to 35 days port to port from Nhava Sheva as an approximate planning range. Use the sea freight transit finder and confirm the French port with a carrier.
What documents do you provide?
Commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin. We do not issue a phytosanitary certificate; a buyer who needs one for jute or seagrass should check the destination's rules with their broker. We confirm the set before production.
Can you add fibre content and origin to the label?
Yes, on request. You stay responsible for compliance as importer.
What is the usual Incoterm and payment?
FOB Nhava Sheva, confirmed on your quote. Payment is 50% advance and 50% before dispatch.