Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 14)
Returning the goods after withdrawal in EU law (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 14) - and France's art. L.221-23
The consumer's obligations (return of the goods)
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Article 14 of Directive 2011/83/EU governs the return across the EU: the consumer sends the goods back within 14 days of withdrawing and bears only the direct return costs - unless the trader failed to warn them, in which case the trader pays. France transposes this in article L.221-23; in Ireland the rule sits in S.I. No. 484/2013 (CCPC).
The rule - and France's article L.221-23
Under article 14 of Directive 2011/83/EU, the consumer sends the goods back within fourteen days of communicating the decision to withdraw, and bears only the direct cost of returning them - unless the trader agreed to bear it or failed to inform the consumer that the cost is theirs. France transposes this in article L.221-23 of the Code de la consommation, which adds that for goods that cannot normally be returned by post, the trader must state the return cost in advance.
A synthesis faithful to the EU text and to France's transposition. Primary source: Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 14) on EUR-Lex. France's transposition, article L.221-23, in full: the French transposition on Legifrance
In plain language
Once withdrawal is notified, the consumer has 14 days to send the product back. Across the EU (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 14) it is the counterpart, on the customer side, of the refund deadline that binds the trader.
Return costs are in principle payable by the consumer, but only if the trader clearly warned them before the purchase. Absent that information, the trader pays for the return - the same rule in every member state. France states it in article L.221-23; Ireland in S.I. No. 484/2013.
For bulky goods (furniture, household appliances) that cannot go by post, the trader must give an estimate of the return cost before the purchase. Without this estimate, the costs fall to the trader.
Key takeaways
- Return of the goods within 14 days of withdrawal (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 14).
- Return costs payable by the consumer only if they were informed beforehand.
- Bulky goods: an estimate of the return cost must be provided before the purchase.
- Absent information, the return costs are payable by the trader. France's transposition: art. L.221-23.
Going further
This page is an educational synthesis and does not constitute legal advice. The law that applies is that of the consumer's own country (Rome I Regulation). The reference texts carry authority: the EU directive on EUR-Lex and France's transposition on Legifrance.