France is the EU's second-largest e-commerce market and one of the most actively enforced EPR jurisdictions. If you're selling packaged products to French consumers, you almost certainly need to register with Citeo.
Here's what that means and how to do it.
Citeo (formerly Eco-Emballages) is France's main PRO for household packaging. It manages the collection and recycling of the packaging that ends up in French consumers' recycling bins — cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, cartons.
If your products end up in French households (i.e. you sell B2C), Citeo is your PRO for that packaging.
If you ship to French businesses — wholesalers, retailers, B2B clients — there is a separate scheme: Citeo Pro, which launched on 1 January 2026 for B2B/industrial packaging.
Most DTC e-commerce brands primarily need the household Citeo scheme.
You are obligated under the French EPR system if you:
The threshold: No minimum weight threshold for most categories. If you're a business selling packaged products B2C in France, you register. The only exemption is for micro-enterprises: companies with fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover or balance sheet under €2 million are exempt.
If you're above either of those figures, registration is mandatory regardless of packaging volume.
| | Citeo (household) | Citeo Pro |
|--|---|---|
| Who it covers | Packaging from B2C sales reaching household recycling | Packaging from B2B sales (to businesses, not consumers) |
| When it applies | All B2C DTC brands | From 1 Jan 2026 for B2B packaging |
| Packaging types | Everything shipped to consumers | Transit/industrial packaging (pallets, stretch wrap, corrugated B2B boxes) |
If you only sell DTC to French consumers: you need Citeo (household) only.
If you also wholesale to French retailers or distributors: you need both Citeo (household) for B2C packaging and Citeo Pro for the B2B packaging you use to ship to those business customers.
Everything that ends up in a French household recycling bin or general waste:
France is more inclusive than Germany regarding what counts. When in doubt, include it.
Step 1: Go to citeo.com and create a producer account. You'll need your French SIREN/SIRET number if you have a French entity, or your foreign company registration details if registering as a non-French producer.
Non-EU brands selling to French consumers must appoint a French authorised representative — a person or entity based in France who acts on your behalf for EPR compliance. Citeo can help identify representatives.
Step 2: Declare your packaging data. You'll report:
Citeo provides a data entry template. For your first year, estimates are accepted — you true-up at year-end.
Step 3: Receive your Citeo contract and contributor number. This is your proof of compliance for France. Keep it on file.
Step 4: Pay your contribution. Citeo invoices quarterly or annually depending on your volume. You can also pay in advance based on estimated volumes.
Citeo fees are calculated per tonne of packaging, per material. Indicative 2025 rates:
| Material | Approximate rate per tonne |
|----------|---------------------------|
| Paper / cardboard | €110–€160 |
| Plastics | €200–€400 (varies by format and recyclability) |
| Glass | €15–€30 |
| Steel | €60–€90 |
| Aluminium | €90–€130 |
| Liquids cartons (Tetra Pak type) | €150–€220 |
Rates are modulated (adjusted up or down) based on recyclability. Packaging that is harder to recycle carries a surcharge. Packaging with high recycled content or certified recyclability can earn a discount. This is the eco-modulation system — see our eco-modulation article for a deeper look.
Under the PPWR (August 2026), France's EPR system transitions to the new EU harmonised framework. Key changes:
Citeo Pro is now mandatory for B2B packaging. If you previously ignored your B2B packaging obligations in France, 2026 closes that gap.
Eco-modulation becomes more structured. Recyclability grades (to be established by the EU Commission by 2028) will drive fee modulation more consistently across all EU countries, including France.
The Declaration of Conformity requirement. From August 2026, you need a DoC for your packaging — a formal declaration that it meets PPWR recyclability and material requirements. Citeo registration is separate from the DoC requirement.
Ecomaison (formerly Eco-mobilier) handles furniture and home products. If you sell furniture, mattresses, or similar items to French consumers, you may also need to register with Ecomaison — but this is separate from packaging EPR.
| Week | Action |
|------|--------|
| Week 1 | Create Citeo account, gather packaging data |
| Week 2 | Submit packaging data declaration |
| Week 3 | Receive contract, get contributor number |
| Week 4 | First contribution paid (or set up payment schedule) |
Most brands can be fully Citeo-compliant within a month of starting the process.
French law requires that if a foreign brand (non-EU or non-French EU) is selling to French consumers, either:
If you're a UK or US brand selling to French consumers via your Shopify store, you need option 2. An authorised representative registers on your behalf, holds the Citeo contract in France, and ensures compliance. This is not optional.
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