The Independent Home Seller

The Independent Home Seller , VDI or Commercial Agent exercising a full-time or part-time professional activity, has a special status as an independent worker. Discover all the advantages and meanings of the VDI home profession and the multiple facets of this profession, also called network marketing .

Key points:

• A VDI is 100% independent.
• No inventory to manage
• Very little initial investment

"At SNO ETERNELLE, we believe in the power of 100% natural cosmetics and mountain treasures to take care of yourself, but also in the strength of sharing and transmission. This is why our direct sales distribution method (VDI) is so important to us: it allows us to create unique links with you and support you on a daily basis."

 
Raphaelle Sjöström. Founder of SNÖ Eternelle

What is a VDI?

Direct selling involves selling products or services to private customers in a location not intended for commerce. It has been represented by the FVD (Direct Selling Federation) for over 50 years.

The VDI cosmetic salesperson organizes private sales workshops at home and sometimes in works councils or with partner organizations. He or she works at his or her own pace to supplement his or her income or full-time .

Who can become a VDI?

Almost everyone! Whether you're looking for extra income, retraining, looking for a job, a student, retired, or a stay-at-home parent: home sales are suitable for every situation!

• No diploma is required
• Be of legal age
• Be affiliated with French Social Security (to benefit from VDI status in France)
• Not having been convicted
• Not be subject to personal bankruptcy or a prohibition on management
• Do not exercise a regulated activity excluding the practice of another activity (Lawyer, bailiff, etc.)

Becoming a VDI: choosing between 2 statuses

The VDI contract exists in three different forms. Discover the specifics of each:

	VDI Agent	VDI Buyer Reseller
Report to the company	• No subordination relationship • “Distribution approval” contract.	• No subordination relationship • “Distribution approval” contract.
Responsibilities	• The company manages inventory, sales administration, collection, invoicing and logistics. • The VDI takes orders directly from customers	• The VDI buys its stock and resells it directly to customers • The company delivers the VDI from its stock and sets the maximum recommended resale price.
Stocks	No stock	Stock to manage at home
Financial risk	Very low: no investment or very low	Important: purchase of stock from the company
Remuneration	Commissions paid by the company	Profit margin on sales
Taxation	• Tax regime: micro-BNC if gross annual commission amount < €77,700. • VAT exemption if the turnover of the previous year (N-1) < €37,500. • CFE: exemption if gross annual remuneration < 16.5% of the annual social security ceiling (€7,772 in 2025).	• Tax regime: micro-BIC if gross annual commission amount < €188,700. • VAT exemption VAT if turnover N-1 < €85,000. (start of 2025) • CFE: exemption if gross annual remuneration < 16.5% of the annual social security ceiling (€7,772 in 2025).
Declaration & Registration	• Online registration application on the INPI business formalities counter website	• Online registration application on the INPI business formalities counter website
Status	• VDI agent or commercial agent registered with the RSAC	• VDI buyer-reseller or trader registered with the RCS

To make your declaration of commencement of activity as a VDI (Independent Home Seller) , you must go through the Single Window for Business Formalities , managed by the INPI, since February 2024

Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the INPI procedures website (e-procedures portal) and log in via FranceConnect or an INPI Connect account procedures.inpi.fr .

2. In your personal space, locate the “Businesses” section. You will need to choose the option “submit a business creation formality”

   • It is in this tab (or this section) that you will begin the process of declaring your VDI activity.

3. Then follow the form step by step:

   • Select “Sole trader” .

   • Fill in the requested information (identity, status, activity, etc.) according to your situation (agent or buyer-reseller).

   • The “Activities” tab is particularly important: this is where you indicate that you are “VDI” (home sales), with the start date, description, categorization, etc.