Two rules to not fall foul of around vide-greniers sales in France

Spring is a season ripe with changes in France and the (usually) warmer weather means more time spent outdoors and, for many, the return of garage or car-boot sales. 

Known colloquially as vide-greniers in France – ventes au déballage is the official term – these are widely popular and used as a way to get rid of old goods cluttering up your home or garage.

Of course being in France they are subject to some strict regulations, including how many such sales you can participate in each year.

‘New’ goods cannot be sold 

If you are planning to host or participate in a vide-grenier, alongside getting the required permission you also need to be careful about what items you are selling. 

Selling ‘new’ goods at a vide-grenier is completely forbidden under Article L310-2 of France’s Commercial Code, which states vendors can only sell “personally-owned and used goods.” 

In practice this means goods cannot be sold in their original (unopened) packaging or box and must have been plugged in/used at least once. 

For example, if you have an unopened coffee machine from a few years back that you want to sell, you will need to take it out of its original box and make at least one coffee with it (also to ensure it works as expected).

This is to prevent mass purchasing then reselling of new products at a profit.

The fine if caught selling new goods at a vide-grenier can reach up to €3,750.

It is also forbidden to sell foodstuffs, as well as alcohol and tobacco (subject to taxation on sales) and medicine (for safety purposes). 

In addition, selling things you have made yourself is not allowed, as this would class you as an artisan and make you subject to different income and taxation rules on the goods. 

This ranges from homemade pieces of pottery, woodwork, art, clothes you have knitted, etc. 

Read more: Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France