Consumer and banking · Precious metals · buyback contract
Selling gold in France: contracts and withdrawal rights
When an individual sells precious metals to a business, a written contract and special withdrawal right may apply. Forty-eight hours run from the signature date and time, with a specific extension for a non-working endpoint. Investment gold is excluded. Preserve object descriptions, price and timed evidence to prepare the declaration and reciprocal returns.
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General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
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Must I give reasons?
Within its scope, this special right requires no reasons or penalty.
Read the referencesYou want to withdraw from a jewellery buyback: let’s check contract, classification and signature time.
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Who is covered by this buyback contract?
It concerns a consumer selling precious metals to a business, not someone buying jewellery. A written copy must be supplied on conclusion; check required identity, objects, weight, fineness and price.
Related step: Tax, inheritance and debt in France: every English guide, by question
Code de la consommation, article L224-97Rachat de métaux précieux : termes du contrat et rétractation
How are the forty-eight hours counted?
They run from the signature date and time, not an assumed end of day. An endpoint on Saturday, Sunday or a public or non-working holiday moves to the next working day at the same hour.
Related step: Consumer and banking
Code de la consommation, article L224-99Code de la consommation, article R224-7
Which documents belong together?
| Point | Check |
|---|---|
| Contract | Objects, weight, fineness and price |
| Time | Evidenced date and time |
| Returns | Price against objects |
Code de la consommation, article L224-97Code de la consommation, article L224-99
Does investment gold carry this right?
No. Investment-gold transactions are excluded from this special withdrawal right. The generator produces no declaration for that category or uncertain classification. Check the contract and nature of the transaction.
Related step: Consumer credit in France: the 14-day withdrawal, early repayment and the rules of 20 November 2026
Is registered post the only withdrawal method?
No. The form or an unambiguous declaration may be handed over or sent by a method evidencing sending date and time. Retain proof; the statutory detachable form may be used.
Code de la consommation, article R224-7Code de la consommation, article R224-5
What does the governing text say about buyback contract?
Le consommateur dispose d'un délai de quarante-huit heures à compter de la signature du contrat pour exercer son droit de rétractation, sans avoir à justifier de motifs ni à payer de pénalités.
L'exercice du droit de rétractation met fin aux obligations des parties.
Le consommateur doit alors rembourser au professionnel le prix perçu et, en contrepartie, ce dernier doit lui restituer le ou les objets achetés.
In plain English: It concerns a consumer selling precious metals to a business, not someone buying jewellery. A written copy must be supplied on conclusion; check required identity, objects, weight, fineness and price.
How can a declaration preserve time evidence?
Fictional example: contract on 20 October at 14:30, price €600. The worksheet preserves these facts without deciding timely exercise.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
The draft preserves signature date and time. Check the forty-eight-hour endpoint and any extension before sending; no automatic calendar replaces that check.
Draft for review · starts with a fictional example
Contract
Signed 2026-10-20 at 14:30
Objects and price
One ring and one chain, weight to verify; €600
I declare my withdrawal from the buyback contract signed on 2026-10-20 at 14:30, concerning: One ring and one chain, weight to verify. Price received: €600. Please provide reciprocal-return arrangements. I retain evidence of sending.
Check transaction type and the investment-gold exclusion; keep the supplied contract copy.
Keep evidence of date and time, then of declaration delivery or sending.
Prepare repayment of the price received against return of the objects, without assuming availability.
Investment gold is excluded. Time runs from the signature hour; expiry on Saturday, Sunday or a public or non-working holiday moves to the next working day at the same hour.
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What must be returned after withdrawal?
The consumer repays the price received, and the business returns the objects. If it cannot return them, the statute provides twice that price; this is not a general penalty for every breach.
What else should you know about buyback contract?
Must I give reasons?
Within its scope, this special right requires no reasons or penalty.
Do two days mean until midnight?
No. Retain signature time and check the timed endpoint.
Can the business always return the jewellery?
Do not assume so; inability to return has a specific consequence.
Is sale tax calculated here?
No. Contract and withdrawal are separate from precious-items taxation.
Which sources explain buyback contract?
- Code de la consommation, article L224-97Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L224-99Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article R224-7Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article R224-5Légifrance
- Rachat de métaux précieux : termes du contrat et rétractationDGCCRF
Texts cited last checked: 20 October 2026