Foreign debt collection can quickly turn out to be quite complicated. Between the laws that change from country to country, different cultural habits and linguistic misunderstandings, it is easy to quickly feel overwhelmed. You know those invoices sitting in a drawer because your customer based in Asia or Latin America "forgot" to pay? Well, you are not alone. Many companies give up, discouraged by the complexity of the process. But at France Contentieux, we have made these challenges our specialty.
Why trust us?
Because it is not enough to know international Law. We go through the local realities for you. A network of local experts supports our teams - from seasoned lawyers to experienced negotiators - who speak your debtor' language, literally and figuratively. Whether you are looking for an amicable solution or legal proceedings, every step is designed to maximize your chances of international collection, reduce your DSOand above all... save you the trouble.
Imagine having to collect €50,000 from a Swedish customer. Unknowingly, you send a formal letter... whereas in Sweden, a paperless procedure would have settled the matter in three clicks. Missed. That's the pitfall of cultural and legal differences. Here's how it works.
From one country to another, it's not just the currency that varies; some laws protect debtors more, for example, which can lead to proceedings lasting years.
Our solution: Local law professionals who know exactly when to press "accelerate"... or when to sidestep the pitfalls.
Sending a formal notice to a Japanese customer without using polite codes? Don't even think about it!
It is essential to respect the culture of each country to resolve the dispute as efficiently as possible and facilitate collection. Needless to say, speaking the local language will help.
With France Contentieux, there are no misunderstandings: our experts speak the local dialect and adapt to the cultural and commercial specificities of different countries to guarantee you optimal debt recovery.
"Why is it so expensive?" Because between certified translations, unforeseen legal fees and constantly fluctuating exchange rates, the bad surprises keep piling up. Not to mention countries where legal proceedings can extend over several months or even a year, with the associated costs escalating at breakneck speed.
Our tip : At France Contentieux, we always give priority to the amicable collection solution first, not only because it's quicker, but also because it's much less expensive than legal action.
Has your receivable in Turkey lost 20 % of its value because of the pound? Our teams are responsible for anticipating and assessing the financial risks specific to each country, in order to maximize the chances of recovering your receivable while minimizing the economic impact.
Did you know that over-aggressive collections can cost you 3 future contracts? We did. That's why every action scrupulously complies with international regulations, such as RGPD in Europe so as not to impact your company's image and reputation. Because an unhappy customer today can become a partner again tomorrow.
If you want to recover your international receivables in the best possible way, you need to know the methods and strategies adapted to each country. With France Contentieux, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all method, but rather a tailor-made approach to each case with a single goal in mind: maximize recovery.
The first step will determine the rest: detailed analysis of the claim.
Feasibility study and recommendations : After this analysis and evaluation phase, we have all the information we need to choose a collection option: "Amiable? Judicial? A surprise visit to the debtor's office? Each option is weighed against your interests and the realities on the ground.
Visit Amicable collection is often the first step in debt recovery, especially in international markets where the relationship aspect is essential. Ultimately, our aim is not only to recover your receivables, but also to preserve the business relationship with your debtor.
When amicable collection fails, it's time to take legal action. judicial phaseIn Norway, on the other hand, the system is ultra-fluid and legal procedures are simplified. In the United States, each state has its own laws, which complicates procedures. In Norway, on the other hand, the system is ultra-fluid and legal procedures simplified.
Our specialist lawyers are fully conversant with the courts and the pitfalls to be avoided. They file complaints, monitor proceedings and represent our customers in court if necessary. Their mission? To save you time... and money.
In certain (fortunately very rare) cases, international debt collection can evolve into complex litigation. Rather than getting bogged down in endless litigation, it is often more appropriate to rely on neutral mediators (CCI or UNCITRAL). The result? Solutions in 3 to 6 months instead of 3 years.
Example "Is your customer disputing 30 % of your invoice amount? We first secure the 70 % not in dispute, then negotiate the rest. A pragmatic approach successfully tested in 12 different countries."
These different stages and strategies are, of course, implemented in strict compliance with legal obligations.
By adopting a strategic, well-planned approach, amicable debt collection is a powerful tool for recovering receivables while preserving healthy, lasting business relationships.
For over 50 years, we've been deciphering the subtleties of international debt collection. Imagine having to negotiate with a debtor in Germany, seize property in the United States or understand commercial practices in Italy... That's exactly what we do every day!
Did you know? The wrong collection procedure can multiply costs by 5. With us, every decision is based on a transparent risk/benefit analysis.
For a international collections successful, human expertise is essential, but the right technological tools are also needed to ensure optimal receivables management and procedures.
Our tools are multilingual, enabling our staff and our network to work, send letters and send reminders.
Our debt management platform centralizes all the information you need to optimize your collection process. You can also follow the progress of your collection files in real time, and talk to our teams.
Successful collections require reliable local contacts. Our strength lies in our network of carefully selected, trusted partners with whom we have built up a proven track record.
France Contentieux is a member of prestigious international organizations such as the FENCA (Federation of European National Collection Association), ECA (European Collector Association), and the LIC (League International for Creditors).
Our aim is simple: to simplify and centralize your international receivables management through a single point of contact.
At France Contentieux, we are committed to providing you with transparent of each case, whatever the country or complexity of the recovery.
With real-time monitoring and regular reports, you'll have complete visibility of your receivables. Best of all, all you have to do isa single point of contact at France Contentieux, regardless of the countries involved in your receivables. This greatly simplifies communication, allowing you to concentrate on your core business while we take care of your international receivables.
International debt collection is the process of recovering unpaid debts from debtor customers in other countries. It includes both amicable (negotiations and payment reminders) and judicial (recourse to local courts) approaches to force debtors to honor their obligations. This type of collection requires a good knowledge of local laws, legal systems and business practices specific to each country.
Local companies or specialized international debt collectors know the specific regulations of each country and are able to adapt their methods to maximize the chances of success.
Membership of professional associations such as FENCA, ECA and LIC enables us to work with organizations concerned with compliance with the laws and regulations governing the debt collection business. Any collection company belonging to these organizations is committed to an ethical and legally compliant management process.
The sums collected by our partners are transferred to our services on a monthly basis, so that we can also return the receipts to you on a monthly basis.
This will depend on the method used and the country concerned. Amicable collection is generally less costly, with fees based on a percentage of the debt recovered. Judicial collection, on the other hand, involves additional costs, such as legal fees, court costs and translation costs. Before initiating proceedings, it is important to carry out a risk and cost assessment to determine the chances of success and the appropriate course of action.
The duration of international debt collection depends on a number of factors, such as the debtor's country, the amount owed, and whether the process is amicable or judicial. For example, while amicable collection can often be settled in a matter of weeks or months, legal proceedings can take several months or even years, depending on the local legal system and the complexity of the case.
There are two main methods for recovering an international debt:
