Having drawn from the expertise of Atradius Collections' local offices, the International Debt Collection Handbook explains the different regulations and procedures for debt collections in France.
Amicable collections
General information
We maintain a professional collection process, focusing on the relationships between you and your debtors at all times. Our team of collection specialists carry out the collection process in-house, contacting debtors both verbally and in writing while adhering to state law.
When there is a case of dispute, we aim to reach an amicable solution between you and the debtor. We do this by analysing all the contractual documents (e.g. signed contracts, orders, confirmations, invoices, delivery notes, as well as all standard terms that have been agreed to). All of our investigations are completed with the assistance and agreement of our legal team.
Local agents
If our in-house collection efforts don’t lead to positive results, we will employ our agent network. They contact the debtors in order to provide us with information regarding their financial situations and solvency. The agents we use will report on any meetings they have with the debtors and provide summaries of the debtors’ business operations. The agents are also able to collect money. If the agents negotiate payment plans or final statements with the debtors, they should ask us for approval.
Interest
We always charge debtors for interest. The interest rate is set by the government and multiplied by three in accordance with French law on payment terms.
The Debt Collection Handbook presents a snapshot of France's economic situation and covers the following topics:
- Debt collection costs
- Prescription
- Payment methods
- Types of companies
- Retention of title
- Safeguard measures
- Legal procedures & legal system
- Enforcement in debt, movable and immovable property
- Insolvency proceedings
- Arbitration and mediation
To read more about the steps and procedures undertaken in debt collections in France and other countries: