General terms and conditions of sale are the set of details that any business provides during a commercial transaction. They include information such as opening hours, ordering procedures, transparent payment terms, delivery times, responsibilities regarding packaging, transport and insurance, contractual guarantees, dispute resolution procedures, and many other elements. These terms, often listed on the back of invoices, must be accessible at all times so that the customer can make an informed decision about the offer presented to them.

Commercial negotiations between suppliers and distributors rely heavily on these general terms and conditions of sale. They serve as the basis for all discussions between the parties and can then be supplemented by specific terms. Established by the supplier, whether a producer, service provider, wholesaler, or importer, these terms aim to guarantee transparency in commercial transactions. They inform the buyer about prices and sales terms, thus framing negotiations and preventing any unjustified discrimination against the buyer.

Although the law does not mandate the creation of general terms and conditions of sale, it is strongly recommended. Indeed, their absence can be interpreted as a form of discrimination. Therefore, drafting these terms clearly and in detail is essential for establishing healthy and transparent business relationships between suppliers and buyers.