France Foreign Trade: Trade Balance Falls by €3.8 Billion in February 2026

Key Takeaways

In February 2026, the profession observed a significant decline in France's trade balance of €3.8 billion, according to French Customs (publication of April 10, 2026). This development is explained by a €2.6 billion increase in imports and a €1.2 billion decrease in exports. Imports of natural hydrocarbons, transport equipment, and pharmaceutical products rose, mainly from China. Exports were held back by declines in electricity and the aerospace industry.

Key Points

• France's FOB/FOB trade balance in February 2026: drop of €3.8 billion (source: French Customs, 10/04/2026)
• Imports increased by €2.6 billion, driven by hydrocarbons (+€0.8bn), transport equipment (+€0.7bn), and pharmaceuticals (+€0.5bn)
• The number of resident exporters decreased by 700 entities in 2025, reaching a total of 124,200 companies
• The number of companies exporting to the United States increased to 26,900 in 2025 (+1,800 compared to 2024), despite the rise in US tariffs (source: French Customs, 10/04/2026)
• Clothing imports reached USD 26.6 billion in 2025 (source: Fibre2Fashion, 2026)

Context and Challenges

The publication of open-access statistics by French Customs (ministerial statistical service, 10/04/2026) comes in a context of increased volatility in international trade. The evolution of the trade balance relies primarily on the trends in energy products, transport equipment, and health products. The rise in US customs duties on several product categories has created uncertainty for exporters to the United States, but the figures show an adaptation—particularly among small businesses. Moreover, the ongoing trend toward large-scale imports in segments such as apparel (USD 26.6 billion in 2025 according to Fibre2Fashion) further underscores the need for meticulous tariff classification.

Impact on the Profession

The profession must incorporate these developments into precise flow management, goods classification, and export risk analysis to the United States. Declarants are closely monitoring tariff classification for products subject to new duties, while exporters are redefining their US market access strategy in light of customs volatility. Importers of hydrocarbons, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, and apparel are also adapting their procedures and monitoring technical standards. Since 2025, there has been a trend toward concentration around large operators and a growth in non-resident companies (+4,100 units in 2025).

Next Steps

• Results for March 2026 and Q1 2026 will be published on May 7, 2026, at 8:45am, according to French Customs
• The profession is monitoring the upgraded statistical processing, enabling more precise monthly tracking
• Ongoing monitoring of the impacts of US tariff measures announced in April 2026 (Bloomberg Law News, 09/04/2026)

Le solde commercial de la France recule de 3,8 Mds€ en février 2026, porté par les hydrocarbures, le transport et la pharmacie.
(France's trade balance decreased by €3.8 billion in February 2026, driven by hydrocarbons, transport, and pharmaceuticals.)

Source: French Customs, Foreign Trade Results for February 2026 (10/04/2026), Fibre2Fashion (2026)