UK Bespoke Staircase Supplier with French Delivery — Intra-EU Logistics, No Customs, Full CE/EN Documentation
How Continox supplies bespoke staircases from a UK-trading entity to French projects without Brexit customs friction — manufactured at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 facility near Kraków, shipped intra-EU in 3–5 working days, with complete French-market documentation.
A finished Continox bespoke staircase ready for intra-EU dispatch — manufactured at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 facility near Kraków, packaged for direct delivery to French projects.
The most common question we receive from French architects and maîtres d'œuvre considering Continox for the first time is some variant of: "you trade as a UK supplier — does Brexit make this complicated?" The short answer: no. Continox manufactures at our certified facility near Kraków in Poland — the EU Single Market — so all France-bound staircases ship as intra-EU B2B supply. There are no customs declarations, no import VAT issues at the border, no Brexit paperwork. The fact that we maintain a UK trading presence (continox.uk, English-language client communications, UK customer-service standards) is a service convenience, not a logistics constraint.
This guide explains the supply chain, the documentation pack we provide for French projects, the typical transit corridors, and how the whole process compares to ordering from a French-domestic fabricator. For the broader regulatory framework see our CCH and NF standards guide, classification details in the habitation privée vs ERP guide, glass specification in the glass balustrade regulations guide, and regional context in our Paris, Côte d'Azur, Lyon, Bordeaux and alpine resort guides. Or visit the Continox France hub for the full product range, plus matching glass balustrades, balcony railings, external staircases and modern staircase configurations.
Continox manufactures at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 facility near Kraków, Poland — fully within the EU Single Market. Shipments to France are intra-EU B2B supply with no customs declarations, no import VAT friction, no Brexit paperwork. Transit time is 3–5 working days to most regions of France via direct EU motorway. Every delivery includes CE marking, Declaration of Performance (DoP), EN 1090-1 EXC2 certification, structural calculations to Eurocode with French national annex, and full CCH compliance schedule — supplied in English with French summary, ready for the contrôle technique bureau.
- The Continox Supply Chain — Manufacture, Trade, Delivery
- Brexit Clarification — Why It Doesn't Apply
- Certification Pack — EN 1090, CE, DoP
- Transit Corridors & Lead Times by Region
- Continox vs French-Domestic Fabricator
- The 4–8 Week Project Programme
- What's in the Documentation Pack
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Continox Supply Chain — Manufacture, Trade, Delivery
Three entities and one logistics route define the Continox France supply chain:
Manufacturing — EN 1090-1 EXC2 Facility, Poland
Continox bespoke staircases are manufactured at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 certified facility near Kraków, Poland. This is full structural-steelwork certification covering execution class 2 — sufficient for residential staircases, ERP staircases up to category 4, and the structural elements that bear the staircase loads. The facility holds welder qualifications per EN 9606-1, weld procedure qualifications per EN 15614-1, and post-weld inspection per EN ISO 17637.
Trading Entity — UK-based Service & Communications
Continox operates a UK trading presence — continox.uk website, English-language client communications, UK customer-service standards. For French clients this means working with a specification-grade English-speaking team who understand UK Building Regulations, EN 1090, UKCA marking and BS standards alongside French CCH and NF standards. The UK trading presence is a service convenience, not a logistics constraint — goods never pass through the UK during the France supply chain.
Logistics — Direct EU Motorway, Manufacturer to Site
Shipments to France travel directly from our Poland facility to the project site by dedicated EU motorway freight — no transhipment, no port-of-entry handling, no UK leg. The corridor depends on destination: Strasbourg–Lyon–Bordeaux for southwest France, Strasbourg–Lyon for central, A4 motorway via Metz for Île-de-France, A40 via Geneva for alpine resorts. All routes are intra-EU.
Pre-assembled sub-modules packaged for intra-EU dispatch — Continox staircases ship in protective crating sized for two-person handling and standard cargo lift access at the destination site.
Brexit Clarification — Why It Doesn't Apply
Brexit changed the customs relationship between the UK and the EU on 1 January 2021 — but it did not affect intra-EU trade. Continox shipments to France are intra-EU B2B supply because they originate from our Poland facility, not from the UK.
What Brexit Means
- Customs declarations: required at port of entry into EU
- Import VAT: typically reverse-charged; cash-flow timing risk
- Rules of Origin: proof of UK content for tariff exemption
- Border delays: 24–72 hours typical for ground freight
- Documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration
- Trader registration: EORI number required
What Actually Applies
- Customs declarations: none — goods stay in EU customs union
- Import VAT: reverse-charged for B2B per EU VAT Directive
- Rules of Origin: not relevant — both origin and destination in EU
- Border delays: none — direct motorway transit
- Documentation: commercial invoice with intra-EU VAT references; CMR international consignment note
- Trader registration: standard EU VAT registration sufficient
For French B2B buyers (architects, contractors, developers with valid French VAT number), Continox supplies under intra-EU reverse-charge VAT per Articles 138 and 196 of the EU VAT Directive. Continox issues an invoice with no VAT charged; the French buyer self-accounts for the VAT through their own French return (déclaration de TVA) and reclaims it as input VAT in the same return — net cash impact zero. Standard EU intra-Community supply procedure.
Certification Pack — EN 1090, CE, DoP
Every Continox France delivery includes a complete certification pack matching what a French-registered fabricator would supply for the equivalent project. The four foundational documents:
| Document | Purpose | French-Market Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| CE Marking + Declaration of Performance (DoP) | EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011 compliance | Required by French law; identical CPR applies in France as in Poland |
| EN 1090-1 EXC2 Certificate | Structural steelwork execution class certification | Universal EU standard; recognised by all French contrôle technique bureaus |
| Eurocode Structural Calculations | Anchor pull-out, point loads, deflection — Eurocode 1991-1-1 | Includes French national annex (NA); IStructE Chartered Engineer signature |
| Material Certificates | Mill certificates per EN 10204 type 3.1 for all structural steel | Standard requirement for any French project; applies regardless of fabrication country |
| Welder & WPS Qualifications | EN 9606-1 welder qualifications, EN 15614-1 weld procedures | EU-harmonised standards; identical recognition |
| NF-Standard Compliance Schedule | NF P 01-012 (guards), NF EN 12150 + 14449 (glass), NF EN 12600 1B1 (impact) | Specifically prepared for French projects with NF references |
Continox France Project — Standard Documentation Pack
- CE Marking + DoP (Declaration of Performance): single combined document referencing the harmonised standards (EN 1090, EN 14449, EN 12150)
- EN 1090-1 EXC2 Certificate: facility certification document showing notified body identification and audit history
- Structural Calculation Pack: Eurocode 1991-1-1 with French national annex; signed by IStructE Chartered Engineer; includes anchor schedules, point load summary, dynamic deflection
- Material Mill Certificates (EN 10204 type 3.1): traceable certificates for all structural steel batches
- Welder Qualifications (EN 9606-1): qualification records for all welders involved in fabrication
- Weld Procedure Qualifications (EN 15614-1): WPS records for all production welds
- NF-Standard Compliance Schedule: French-specific document mapping the design to NF P 01-012, NF EN 14449, NF EN 12150, NF EN 12600 1B1, and CCH dimensional rules
- Glass Documentation: heat-soak test records (NF EN 14179) for external installations; lamination certificates (NF EN 14449)
- Powder-Coat / Galvanising Certificates: RAL specification, DFT (dry film thickness), salt-spray test records (BS EN ISO 12944)
- Installation Manual: illustrated assembly drawings, anchor torque sequence, snagging checklist
- 5-Year Warranty Certificate: conforming to EU consumer goods regulations; transferable to first end-user
- French Summary Document: 2-page French-language overview of the documentation pack — for contrôle technique bureau
Transit Corridors & Lead Times by Region
| Destination Region | Primary Corridor | Transit Time | Border Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Île-de-France (Paris) | Poland → Germany → A4 Metz → Paris | 3–5 working days | Schengen — no border check |
| Lyon & Rhône-Alpes | Poland → Germany → A35 Strasbourg → Lyon | 3–5 working days | Schengen |
| Provence & Côte d'Azur | Poland → Germany → Strasbourg → Lyon → A7 Marseille → Côte d'Azur | 4–5 working days | Schengen |
| Bordeaux & Southwest | Poland → Germany → Strasbourg → Lyon → A89 → Bordeaux | 4–6 working days | Schengen |
| Alpine Resorts (Courchevel, Megève, Val d'Isère) | Poland → Germany → Strasbourg → A40 → Albertville → resort | 4–6 working days | Schengen |
| Brittany & Atlantic Coast | Poland → Germany → Paris → Rennes / Nantes | 4–6 working days | Schengen |
| Northern France (Lille, Calais) | Poland → Germany → Belgium → Northern France | 3–4 working days | Schengen |
The 3–5 day range reflects working-day driver-hour limits (EU regulation 561/2006) plus the typical morning-loading / evening-unloading pattern. There are no border-related delays within the Schengen Area. Alpine resort routes run slightly longer (4–6 days) because of mountain road logistics from EU motorway exit to chalet site. Atlantic coast and Brittany run 4–6 days for the additional distance from EU motorway exit to coastal destinations.
Continox vs French-Domestic Fabricator
The honest comparison — when does a French-domestic fabricator make more sense, and when does Continox?
| Factor | French Domestic Fabricator | Continox (Intra-EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time (order to delivery) | 8–14 weeks typical | 4–8 weeks typical |
| Site visit by fabricator | Standard, included | Remote consultation standard; site visit on request for €20K+ projects |
| Pricing structure | Often hourly + materials, variable | Fixed-price quote within 48 hours, no variation |
| Specification range | Constrained by individual fabricator's standard kit | 9 systems + bespoke geometry from single supplier |
| Documentation | Variable — depends on individual fabricator | Standard EN 1090 EXC2 + CE/DoP + Eurocode pack |
| 3D visualisation | Sometimes included; often €1,500–€3,000 extra | Always included; 5-day delivery from order |
| Best for | Projects requiring on-site fabrication, repeat-business relationship, traditional metalwork | Bespoke design, fixed-price certainty, premium specification, multiple coordinated systems |
Installed Continox staircase with matching glass balustrade — single supplier delivery, single CE/DoP package, single installation programme.
The 4–8 Week Project Programme
Week 1 — Brief, Quote & 3D
Architect or main contractor sends site dimensions, classification, design intent. Continox returns fixed-price quote within 48 working hours. Order confirmed; 3D visualisation delivered within 5 working days.
Week 2 — Sign-Off & Documentation
Architect signs off final 3D design. Continox releases manufacturing drawings; structural calculation pack, CE/DoP and NF compliance schedule prepared in parallel. For copropriété, ABF or contrôle technique requirements, the documentation can be sent ahead of fabrication completion.
Weeks 3–6 — Fabrication
Fabrication at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 facility — 3–4 weeks for standard configurations, 4–6 weeks for fully bespoke geometry, 6–8 weeks for high-altitude alpine specifications with extended thermal-expansion provisioning.
Week 7–8 — Delivery & Installation
3–5 working days transit (4–6 to alpine resorts). Delivery to site; installation by the project's appointed metalwork contractor with remote technical support from Continox throughout. Snagging documentation completed within 1 week of installation.
What's in the Documentation Pack
Documentation Delivery Methods
- Pre-fabrication preview: structural calculation pack, anchor schedule, NF compliance schedule supplied within 5 working days of order — for copropriété AG submission, ABF dossier, or contrôle technique pre-review
- At delivery: physical hardback documentation pack accompanying the staircase; same content available digitally via secure project link
- Post-installation: snagging report, signed installation manual, warranty registration completed within 1 week of installation
- French summary: 2-page bilingual document specifically for the contrôle technique bureau; references all NF standards by code; no translation barrier
- Storage: documentation pack retained by Continox for 10 years; reissue available on request for sale of property or insurance verification
Start Your French Project with Continox
Free 3D visualisation, fixed-price quote within 48 hours, full intra-EU supply with no Brexit friction. Complete EN 1090 + CE/DoP + Eurocode + NF documentation pack included.
Get Free QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Brexit affect Continox shipments to France?
No. Continox manufactures at our EN 1090-1 EXC2 facility near Kraków, Poland — fully within the EU Single Market. Shipments to France are intra-EU B2B supply with no customs declarations, no border delays and no Brexit paperwork. The UK trading presence (continox.uk, English-language client communications) is a service convenience — goods never pass through the UK during the France supply chain.
Where exactly is the manufacturing facility?
Our manufacturing facility is located near Kraków in southern Poland, holding full EN 1090-1 EXC2 certification for execution class 2 structural steelwork. The facility holds welder qualifications per EN 9606-1, weld procedure qualifications per EN 15614-1, and post-weld inspection per EN ISO 17637. Notified body identification and audit history available on the EN 1090 certificate supplied with each delivery.
How does the VAT treatment work for French B2B buyers?
Continox supplies under intra-EU reverse-charge VAT per Articles 138 and 196 of the EU VAT Directive. We issue an invoice with no VAT charged; the French buyer self-accounts for the VAT through their own French return (déclaration de TVA) and reclaims it as input VAT in the same return — net cash impact zero. Standard intra-Community supply procedure. The buyer must have a valid French VAT number; we verify via VIES at order confirmation.
What documentation comes with the staircase?
A complete certification pack: CE Marking + Declaration of Performance, EN 1090-1 EXC2 certificate, Eurocode structural calculations with French national annex (signed by IStructE Chartered Engineer), EN 10204 type 3.1 mill certificates, welder & WPS qualifications, NF-standard compliance schedule (NF P 01-012, NF EN 14449, NF EN 12150, NF EN 12600 1B1), heat-soak test records for external glass, powder-coat / galvanising certificates, illustrated installation manual, 5-year warranty certificate, and a 2-page French-language summary document for the contrôle technique bureau.
Are EN 1090 and BS standards accepted in France?
Yes. EN 1090, EN 1991-1-1 (Eurocode 1), EN 14449, EN 12150 and EN 12600 are European harmonised standards — applied identically in France, Germany, Poland and across the EU. The French versions are NF EN equivalents (e.g., NF EN 1090, NF EN 14449). The technical content is identical; only the document title differs. French contrôle technique bureaus accept the EN-prefixed certificates as fulfilling the NF requirements.
How long does delivery actually take?
Transit by dedicated EU motorway freight: 3–5 working days to most regions of France. Northern France 3–4 days, Île-de-France 3–5 days, Lyon & Rhône-Alpes 3–5 days, Provence & Côte d'Azur 4–5 days, Bordeaux & Southwest 4–6 days, Alpine resorts 4–6 days, Brittany & Atlantic 4–6 days. Full programme from order confirmation to site delivery is 4–8 weeks (1 week 3D, 3–6 weeks fabrication, transit time).
Who handles installation in France?
Installation is by the project's appointed metalwork contractor or main contractor's installation team in France. Continox supplies pre-engineered components with full assembly drawings and remote technical support during installation (video calls, CAD clarifications). For specific French regions we have working relationships with recommended installers — referrals available on request. We do not subcontract installation; this is the local contractor's responsibility under their own French insurance and assurance décennale.
Does Continox visit French project sites?
Continox operates a remote consultation model as standard — site survey by the project architect or main contractor, dimensions sent through to us, 3D visualisation delivered within 5 working days. This keeps pricing competitive and works well for the typical bespoke project. For high-end projects (€20,000+ staircase budget) — Cap Ferrat villa, Courchevel 1850 chalet, Saint-Émilion château — site visits can be arranged with travel costs added. We can also coordinate by video and shared CAD throughout the design phase.
What about contrôle technique acceptance?
Contrôle technique bureaus (Apave, Bureau Veritas, Socotec, Qualiconsult) review the architect's submitted technical dossier — including the staircase compliance documentation. Continox supplies a documentation pack specifically structured for contrôle technique review with NF-standard cross-references and a French-language summary. The contrôle technique sign-off is the responsibility of the project's French-registered architect; Continox supplies the supporting evidence.
What's the warranty on Continox staircases?
5 years on materials and manufacturing defects, transferable to the first end-user (typically the property owner upon completion). Warranty conforms to EU consumer goods regulations and includes labour costs for warranted repairs. Glass infill, powder-coat finish, structural steel and stainless components all covered. Wear-and-tear, installation defects (responsibility of the appointed installer), and force-majeure damage are excluded. Warranty registration completed at installation handover.
Ready to Specify Your Continox Project?
From €7,999 supply-only. Free 3D visualisation, full intra-EU supply with EN 1090 EXC2 certification and complete French-market documentation. 3–5 day delivery to most regions of France.
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