Countries
France is the starting or arrival point of every introduction: selling a French product in Asia, or bringing an Asian product to France.
Checking a French company before you pay
The French State publishes the official details of every company free of charge (SIREN number, address, activity, active or closed) on the Annuaire des entreprises. This is the register we check for every French profile.
Step by step
- Ask your partner for its SIREN or SIRET number.
- Type it into the official Annuaire des entreprises.
- Compare the name, address and activity with what the company told you.
- Check that it is “active”, not “closed”.
If something does not match: a name that differs by a few letters, another address, a company marked “closed”… Pay nothing until the difference has been explained in writing. An almost identical name can hide another company.
Selling in France: what to know
- A product sold in France must follow European Union rules: for example the CE marking for many devices and toys.
- Instructions and labels for consumers must be in French.
- Paris trade fairs attract buyers from all over the world: a good time to meet your future partners.
Trade fairs in France
Our useful guides
Useful organisations
- Business France: the public agency that supports French companies abroad.
- French Treasury (Direction générale du Trésor): official trade figures, country by country.
Are you a company? See how to be visible to verified partners →
The European Union brings together 27 countries, including France, in a single market: goods move freely within it, and the same customs rules apply to products coming from outside.
Trade with Asia
In 2024, the European Union's trade in goods reached €731 billion with China, €67.4 billion with Vietnam and €42.2 billion with Thailand. Source: Eurostat (European Commission).
Since 2020, a free trade agreement has linked the European Union and Vietnam: see our guide on this agreement.
Checking a company from another EU country before you pay
- Its EU VAT number on VIES, the European Commission's free service: it shows whether the number is valid and, depending on the country, the company's name and address.
- The business register of its country, available from the European e-Justice portal.
On Passerelle France-Asie, every company from the European Union is checked with VIES, then in the business register of its country.
VIES alone is not enough: it only tells you whether a VAT number is valid. Also check the name and address in the country's business register, and pay only into an account in the name of that company.
Useful organisations
- Access2Markets: the European Commission's portal on customs duties, rules and formalities for exporting and importing.
- EU SME Centre: support centre for European small and medium-sized businesses working with China.
- EABC (European Association for Business and Commerce): the association of European businesses in Thailand.
- EuroCham Vietnam: the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.
Selling in the European Union from Asia
- The same product rules apply in all 27 countries: a product compliant in France is also compliant in Germany or Italy.
- Many products must carry the CE marking; labels must be in the language of the country of sale.
- An importer established in the Union is often responsible for compliance: choose it carefully.
Our useful guides
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China is France's leading trading partner in Asia. For a small business, the key is to check your partner carefully and to put every agreement clearly in writing.
Trade with France
In 2024, France and China traded €95 billion in goods: France sold €24 billion and bought €71 billion. Source: French Treasury.
Checking a Chinese company before you pay
The official public register is the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (gsxt.gov.cn, in Chinese). It shows the official name, the unified social credit code (18 characters) and the status of the company.
Step by step
- Ask for the official name in Chinese and the unified social credit code.
- Search for them on gsxt.gov.cn (your browser can translate the page).
- Compare the name, address and declared activity.
- Be wary of a name in English only, or of a bank account in the name of another company.
The name must be the same everywhere: in the register, on the contract, on the official company seal and on the bank account. A different name can mean a different company: pay nothing before you get a written explanation.
Doing business with a Chinese company: our advice
- Have the contract written in Chinese and in English or French, and state which version prevails.
- In China, the official company seal carries great weight: check that it is on the contract and bears the same name as the register.
- Start with a small order or samples, with a reasonable deposit.
- Plan for Chinese New Year closures in your delivery times.
Trade fairs in China
Our useful guides
What changes in 2026 for your trade
- Carbon border tax (CBAM): since 1 January 2026, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity imported into the European Union pay a carbon price (above 50 tonnes a year). China is one of the main countries of origin of the imports concerned. Our CBAM guide.
- Deforestation-free products (EUDR): wood, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, soya, palm oil and cattle will have to prove their origin from 30 December 2026 (30 June 2027 for small businesses). China is classified as low risk by the European Commission: simplified procedures, but geolocation of the plots remains compulsory. Our EUDR guide.
- Small parcels: since 1 July 2026, a customs duty of €3 per product category on parcels worth €150 or less, then €2 in handling fees from 1 November 2026. Our guide.
- Electronic invoicing in France: since 1 September 2026, businesses established in France receive their invoices electronically. A Chinese company with no establishment in France does not have to issue these invoices; it only sends certain data to the French tax administration ("e-reporting") if it owes French VAT itself. Our fact sheet.
For information only, up to date on 1 November 2026; sources: European Commission, EUR-Lex, impots.gouv.fr. Only the authorities are authoritative.
Good to know: what China controls
- Selling food products of animal origin in China (meat, dairy products…): China does not recognise the European health system. Each French company must obtain its own approval, on file and sometimes after an inspection. The procedure is long: find out before promising a delivery.
- Buying gallium, germanium, graphite, drones or certain aircraft parts in China: since 2023-2024, exporting them requires a licence from the Chinese authorities. Before ordering, ask your supplier whether it has this licence. Without it, it cannot export these products.
- Counterfeiting: China remains "the world's leading source of counterfeit and pirated goods". Penalties in France are explained in our guide Protecting yourself from scams.
For information only, based on the notes of the Economic Department of the French Embassy in Beijing (20 June 2024 and 21 October 2024, tresor.economie.gouv.fr). Chinese rules change often: check with the authorities before any order. Only the authorities are authoritative.
Business etiquette
- The family name comes first: Mr Wang Wei is called "Mr Wang". Ask him how he prefers to be addressed.
- Business cards are given and received with both hands; take the time to read the card before putting it away.
- The relationship (guanxi) matters as much as the price: a meal, a visit or a video call build trust before the first order.
- A polite "yes" does not always mean "agreed": have every important point (price, deadline, quality) confirmed in writing.
General advice: every person and every company is different.
Culture and daily life
📅 Next festival in China: Tết / Chinese New Year, on Saturday 6 February 2027 — in 94 days. See the full calendar.
Useful organisations
- French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China
- Business France (offices in China)
- EU SME Centre: free advice for small European businesses working with China.
Are you a company? See how to be visible to verified partners →
🏮 See also: Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn, mooncakes: the great festivals of Asia and your business.
Thailand is a gateway to South-East Asia, with a strong tradition of hospitality, wellness, food and crafts.
Trade with France
In 2024, €5.0 billion in goods were traded. Thailand is France's 2nd customer and 2nd supplier in South-East Asia. The European Union and Thailand are negotiating a free trade agreement. Source: French Treasury.
Checking a Thai company before you pay
The Department of Business Development (DBD) of the Ministry of Commerce publishes registered company data on datawarehouse.dbd.go.th (13-digit registration number).
Step by step
- Ask for the 13-digit registration number and the official name in Thai.
- Search for it on the DBD website.
- Check that the company is active and that its activity matches your deal.
- Pay only into an account in the name of the registered company.
An account in the name of a private person is a warning sign: a registered company is paid into the company's account. If you are asked to pay into a personal account, do not pay before you get a written, verifiable explanation.
Doing business with a Thai company: our advice
- The contract can be written in English; a Thai translation helps with the administration.
- Personal relationships matter a lot: take time to introduce yourself and meet your partner.
- For food and cosmetics, check the labelling rules of the country of sale early.
- Plan for the Songkran holidays (Thai New Year, mid-April) in your delivery times.
Trade fairs in Thailand
Our useful guides
What changes in 2026 for your trade
- Carbon border tax (CBAM): since 1 January 2026, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity imported into the European Union pay a carbon price (above 50 tonnes a year). A free trade agreement between the European Union and Thailand is under negotiation (10th round end of September - beginning of October 2026): it is not yet in force. Our CBAM guide.
- Deforestation-free products (EUDR): wood, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, soya, palm oil and cattle will have to prove their origin from 30 December 2026 (30 June 2027 for small businesses). Thailand is classified as low risk by the European Commission: simplified procedures, but geolocation of the plots remains compulsory. Our EUDR guide.
- Small parcels: since 1 July 2026, a customs duty of €3 per product category on parcels worth €150 or less, then €2 in handling fees from 1 November 2026. Our guide.
- Electronic invoicing in France: since 1 September 2026, businesses established in France receive their invoices electronically. A Thai company with no establishment in France does not have to issue these invoices; it only sends certain data to the French tax administration ("e-reporting") if it owes French VAT itself. Our fact sheet.
For information only, up to date on 1 November 2026; sources: European Commission, EUR-Lex, impots.gouv.fr. Only the authorities are authoritative.
Business etiquette
- People are addressed by their first name, preceded by "Khun": Somchai Rattanakul is "Khun Somchai".
- The "wai" (hands joined, slight bow) is the traditional greeting; a handshake is also accepted in business.
- Calm and a smile: raising your voice or embarrassing someone in front of others causes a loss of face, and often the deal.
- The monarchy is highly respected and protected by law: avoid any comment about it.
- The contract: Thailand does not apply the Vienna Convention on the international sale of goods. Write in the contract which law applies and who will decide a dispute. Our guide.
General advice: every person and every company is different.
Culture and daily life
📅 Next festival in Thailand: Loy Krathong, on Tuesday 24 November 2026 — in 20 days. See the full calendar.
Useful organisations
- Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce
- Business France (Bangkok office)
- EABC: the association of European businesses in Thailand.
Are you a company? See how to be visible to verified partners →
🏮 See also: Songkran and Loy Krathong: the great festivals of Asia and your business.
Vietnam is the Asian country whose trade with France is growing fastest, driven by the free trade agreement with the European Union.
Trade with France
In 2024, €8.5 billion in goods were traded (+11.5% in one year); French sales to Vietnam grew by 26%. The EU–Vietnam free trade agreement has been in force since 1 August 2020. Source: French Treasury.
Checking a Vietnamese company before you pay
The National Business Registration Portal (dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn) shows the name, enterprise number and status of a company.
Step by step
- Ask for the enterprise code (10 digits) and the official name in Vietnamese.
- Search for it on the national portal.
- Compare the name, address and legal representative.
- Pay only into an account in the name of the registered company.
Compare the legal representative shown in the register with the person negotiating with you. If it is not the same person, ask in writing what their role in the company is before any payment.
Good to know: paying a Vietnamese company
Since 18 October 2023, the European Union has included Vietnam on its list of “high-risk third countries”. This list covers countries whose system for fighting money laundering and terrorist financing has “strategic deficiencies”, that is, significant weaknesses. It concerns the country, not any particular company, and it is not a ban on trade.
However, European banks must carry out enhanced checks on payments involving these countries. Your bank may therefore:
- ask you more questions: about your company, the reason for the payment and where the money comes from;
- in some cases, limit these payments: the European rules also provide for this.
Our advice: before a first payment, ask your bank what it will want to see. Keep the contract and the invoice at hand, and allow some extra time in your schedule.
For information only, up to date on 2 November 2026: this information does not engage the liability of Passerelle France-Asie and does not replace your bank’s advice; only the official texts are authoritative. Sources: European Commission, list of high-risk third countries; Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2070 (addition of Viet Nam); Directive (EU) 2018/843, Article 18a (enhanced checks).
Doing business with a Vietnamese company: our advice
- Thanks to the EU–Vietnam agreement, many customs duties have fallen or disappeared, provided the origin of the product is proven: read our guide.
- Have the contract written in Vietnamese and in English or French.
- Start with samples or a small order before a large volume.
- Plan for Tết closures (Vietnamese New Year) in your delivery times.
Trade fairs in Vietnam
Our useful guides
What changes in 2026 for your trade
- Carbon border tax (CBAM): since 1 January 2026, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity imported into the European Union pay a carbon price (above 50 tonnes a year). Vietnam is one of the main countries of origin of the imports concerned: steel and aluminium manufacturers are already being asked by their European customers. Our CBAM guide.
- Deforestation-free products (EUDR): wood, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, soya, palm oil and cattle will have to prove their origin from 30 December 2026 (30 June 2027 for small businesses). Vietnam is classified as low risk by the European Commission: simplified procedures, but geolocation of the plots remains compulsory. Our EUDR guide.
- Small parcels: since 1 July 2026, a customs duty of €3 per product category on parcels worth €150 or less, then €2 in handling fees from 1 November 2026. Our guide.
- Electronic invoicing in France: since 1 September 2026, businesses established in France receive their invoices electronically. A Vietnamese company with no establishment in France does not have to issue these invoices; it only sends certain data to the French tax administration ("e-reporting") if it owes French VAT itself. Our fact sheet.
For information only, up to date on 1 November 2026; sources: European Commission, EUR-Lex, impots.gouv.fr. Only the authorities are authoritative.
Business etiquette
- People are called by their given name, which is the LAST word of their name: Mr Nguyễn Văn Minh is "Anh Minh" or "Mr Minh", not "Mr Nguyễn".
- Business cards are given and received with both hands.
- Age and rank matter: greet the oldest or most senior person first.
- Trust is built: a visit, a meal or regular exchanges on Zalo often come before the first order.
- The contract: Vietnam applies the Vienna Convention with one condition: the contract, the offer, the acceptance, any change and the end of the contract must be in writing. An oral agreement is not enough. Our guide.
General advice: every person and every company is different.
Culture and daily life
📅 Next festival in Vietnam: Ông Công Ông Táo (Kitchen Gods' Day), on Saturday 30 January 2027 — in 87 days. See the full calendar.
Useful organisations
- French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam
- Business France (offices in Vietnam)
- EuroCham Vietnam: the European chamber of commerce in Vietnam.
Are you a company? See how to be visible to verified partners →
🏮 See also: Tết and the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu): the great festivals of Asia and your business.