Import Car from USA to France

US to France Vehicle Import Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Vehicle Import Approval

US to France Car Import Costs & Time Frame

US to France Vehicle Import Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and France

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in France

Other France/US Shipping Options

Are you ready to get started importing a car from the USA to France?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to France.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to France can be found here.

As you engage in the vehicle import process to France, some of the most important questions to consider include:

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for import to France. You should never assume your scenario is the same as someone else’s.

Some vehicles such as used cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for newer vehicles for import into France.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to France, fill out our free quick quote form.

Upon arrival of your vehicle import to France, the vehicle must be declared in Customs.

You’ll need the following documentation:

Taxes & Duties for French Car Imports

Prior to importing a vehicle from US to France, verify your vehicle’s specifications and compliance with French requirements. If you are importing a vehicle to France from the USA, your car will be subject to local customs duties as well as a value added tax or VAT of 19.6% levied by the French government.

However, in certain circumstances you might be able to gain exemption from paying customs duties and taxes.

Import Car from USA to France can be performed using a shared container, a sole container or a roll-on/roll-off service.

Roll-On/Roll-Off – Vehicles are loaded onto a ship that contains a cargo area built like a very big parking garage. This option tends to be cheaper as other than the shipping charge, you are required to pay only port charges and customs clearance charges.

Transits tend to be faster than with the shared container service as the vessels depart on a weekly basis.

Shared Container Service – This method requires multiple vehicles to be loaded into one container. While there are more fees involved than with the roll-on/roll-off shipping method, due to the fact that the container must be processed, these charges are shared between the various clients who are using the container. Such fees include a trucking charge, terminal handling charge, customs clearance and charge for unloading the vehicles at a bonded warehouse.

One disadvantage is that you might face a longer wait before your vehicle can be shipped, as the container must have a full load before departing.

Full Container Load – You have the added benefit of a fully enclosed container, just like our shared container service, but the 20 ft container is dedicated solely to your vehicle. Since there’s no wait for other cars to be loaded, you’ll enjoy a shorter wait before departure. However, additional terminal handling fees and other charges won’t be shared with other vehicle owners.

Our most selective customers prefer the high level of safety and expediency offered by our dedicated container shipping. When your vehicle is received, we’ll photograph and document the vehicle’s condition as well as the loading process. Your vehicle will be loaded using our modern steel loading system, which is not only environmentally friendly, but doesn’t rely on outdated wood ramps and nails, which can damage your vehicle.

After your car is loaded onto your own private container, it is locked and secured. This will ensure no one gains access to your car before reaching its final destination. Since the vehicle is fully enclosed in a secure container, we invite our clients to pack and transport other items inside the vehicle. However, everything must be loaded securely, as we won’t be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.

Once your vehicle reaches its destination in France, our agent will unlock the container, document the vehicle’s condition and photograph the entire unloading process. Every step of the shipping process is not only handled carefully but documented for your peace of mind.

Compared to our roll-on/roll-off shipping option, enclosed container shipping is not only more secure, but much faster due to frequent departures each week.

Sourcing Vehicles – Overseas clients who wish to buy a vehicle can turn to our long list of car buyers developed in our nearly thirty years in the auto industry, who can find and purchase vehicles for an additional fee or commission.

Other Services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Destination Ports – France

Here are the France entry ports where your vehicle can be imported.

Before importing your vehicle to France, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement.

We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.

After customs clearance, the service will give you:

• a copy of the customs declaration;
• a receipt;
• a certificate of clearance No. 846 A: you must present this certificate, which justifies that you paid the duties and taxes, to the prefecture where your vehicle will be registered.

You’ll have a month following importation to register your vehicle and obtain a certificat d’immatriculation or registration certification.

For more information on the new Vehicle Registration System (SIV), visit the website of the National Agency for Secured Securities.

Importing a Car from the US to France
Importing a Car from France to the US
Car Shipping from USA to France
Car Shipping from France to USA
Cargo Shipping from the US to France
Cargo Shipping from France to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to France
Moving Household Goods from France to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

Back to Top.