Glossary
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terms-and-conditions-cgv
E-commerce T&Cs: definition, mandatory content, differences between T&Cs and GDPR, Shopify Policies settings, and legal advice.
Updated on
June 4, 2026
The T&Cs (General Terms and Conditions of Sale) are the contractual document that governs the commercial relationship between an e-commerce merchant and their customer: price, ordering, payment, delivery, right of withdrawal, guarantees, and disputes. In France and the EU, they must be accessible before purchase, particularly at checkout. The T&Cs protect the consumer and secure the seller.
The T&Cs form the contractual framework for online sales. They explain the rules applicable to ordering, payment, delivery, returns, and the responsibilities of both the merchant and the customer.
Summary
Definition of T&Cs in e-commerce
The GTC define the sales rules applicable to every order placed on the store. The customer accepts them by validating their purchase (checkbox or explicit link depending on the setup).
Common clauses:
To fully understand this concept, we notably find Products and prices (incl. tax, currencies, obvious errors), Order and confirmation, Payment (accepted methods, due date), Delivery (times, fees, areas), Right of withdrawal (14 days in EU B2C, exceptions), Returns and refunds (product return), Legal guarantees (conformity, hidden defects) and Liability, intellectual property, mediation.
Useful distinctions:
To fully understand this concept, we notably find GTC vs. TOU (Terms of Use): GTC = sales; TOU = site usage (account, content), GTC vs. legal notices: notices = publisher identity (SIREN, contact); GTC = sales contract, GTC vs. privacy policy (GDPR): the second deals with personal data and B2C GTC vs. B2B GTC: consumer rules (withdrawal) vs. negotiated professionals.
Why T&Cs are essential for an online store
Selling online without compliant T&Cs exposes you to disputes, payment refusals, and sanctions.
For an online store, this notably includes Legal obligation: pre-contractual information in B2C (Consumer Code, EU directive); Customer trust: transparency on deadlines, returns, warranties; Structured customer service: basis for handling refund requests; Payment disputes: chargebacks, PayPal claims; Marketplaces and ads: certain platforms require clear policies; and Conversion: customer reassured before payment on the online store.
T&Cs must be written in a comprehensible language, not in inaccessible jargon. In the event of a contradiction between a banner promotion and the T&Cs, the version most favorable to the consumer may prevail.
What the general terms and conditions of sale must cover
Mandatory information before purchase (non-exhaustive B2C France/EU list):
Concretely, this includes in particular: Essential characteristics of the product, Price including tax, delivery costs, offer deadline, Terms of payment and execution of the contract, Right of withdrawal and standard form, Return cost if borne by the customer, and Guarantees and after-sales service.
Use case: FR fashion Shopify store selling in B2C. "T&C" page in the footer, link at checkout ("I accept the general terms and conditions of sale"). T&C specify: shipping time 2-5 business days, 14-day withdrawal, free returns in metropolitan France, refund within 14 days of receiving the return. Downloadable PDF withdrawal form. Customer service cites T&C article §8 in case of size dispute. T&C updated in January 2026 after carrier change.
Products excluded from withdrawal (customization, hygiene seals): clearly listed in T&C and product sheet.
Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) management on Shopify
Shopify offers policy templates in Settings > Policies (Shopify Help Center):
In Shopify, you will notably find Terms of service: equivalent to T&C depending on the drafting, Refund policy: return policy addendum (can be merged with T&C), Privacy policy: GDPR, separate from T&C, and Shipping policy: delivery times and costs.
Implementation:
In Shopify, you will notably find Customize the template with a legal expert or a generator adapted for FR/EU, Publish Policy pages; auto links in the checkout footer, Enable acceptance of terms at checkout if required, and Translate if using Shopify Markets multi-country.
Shopify templates are a starting point, not final legal advice. Adapt them to your business (digital products, pre-orders, subscriptions).
Best practices and common mistakes
Accessibility: T&C link visible in footer + checkout.
Update date at the top of the document.
Alignment: T&Cs consistent with the returns page and FAQ.
Withdrawal form: provided or link to the legal template.
Archive previous versions if major changes are made.
Legal review at each pivot (B2B, international, marketplace).
Classic mistakes:
T&Cs copied from a US site, not adapted to French law.
T&C page missing or broken link.
"365-day returns" promise in banner, 14 days in T&Cs.
Forgetting pre-contractual information on the product sheet.
Confusing Shopify refund policy with full T&Cs.
No mention of consumer mediator (obligations depending on the case).
The key points to remember about the TSCs
Key takeaways include: GTC (General Terms and Conditions of Sale) = e-commerce sales contract (price, delivery, returns, guarantees), distinct from ToU (Terms of Use), legal notices, and privacy policy, mandatory and accessible before purchase in EU B2C, Shopify: Policies, checkout footer, templates to customize, and site/customer service consistency; legal review recommended.
Associated terms, FAQ, and going further
Associated Terms
Notions related to this topic notably include Product Return: procedure described in the T&C, Refund Request: application of the T&C, GDPR: data policy, separate document and Checkout: acceptance of the T&C.
FAQ
Are T&C mandatory on Shopify?
In B2C France/EU, yes: you must inform the customer and frame the sale. Shopify facilitates publication via Policies; the legal content is your responsibility.
T&C and return policy: same page?
Possible on a single comprehensive T&C page, or separate (T&C + Shopify Refund policy). The key: clear and accessible information before purchase.
Right of withdrawal: 14 days?
In EU B2C, general rule of 14 days to withdraw, except for legal exceptions (personalized products, unsealed goods, etc.). Detail this in your T&C.
Are Shopify templates enough?
Not on their own: they are bases in English/general law. Have them validated by a professional for French law and your specific sector.
Going further
Notions related to this topic notably include Managing e-commerce returns, Return rates and strategies, Customizing Shopify checkout and Return to the Qstomy e-commerce glossary.
Sources: Shopify Help Center (Legal policies), Consumer Code (FR), directive 2011/83/EU (distance contracts). Informational content, not legal advice.
Enzo
June 4, 2026
