Import Car from France to USA

Importing a Car from France to the USA? Car imports from France to the USA start at a cost of $2,450 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in France, and your final destination in the USA. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about importing cars from the France to the USA.

France to US Vehicle Import Checklist

Determining Vehicle Eligibility for Import to the USA

Conforming vs. Nonconforming Vehicles

France to US Car Import Costs & Time Frame

France to US Vehicle Import Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and France

Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage

Driving Your Vehicle in the United States

Other France/US Shipping Options

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

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

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

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

These questions and more will determine the costs to import the vehicle to the US, whether your car is eligible for import to the United States, and finally, whether you will need to go through additional steps to make your vehicle eligible for import. In some cases, such as temporary import for racing or other purposes, the usual standards may not apply. CFR Classic can help you through the process of determining what will be required to import your vehicle.

Generally, if a vehicle already meets the requirements for import to the United States, it is because that model was originally designed for export and sale in the United States, or was manufactured in the United States for domestic sale. As such, nonconforming vehicles are required to be modified to meet all applicable FMVSS and EPA emissions standards.

Things to Consider

Taxes & Duties for Importing Cars to the United States

Generally, foreign-made vehicles imported for personal use or sale are dutiable at the following rates:

Duty rates are based on price paid or payable, and most Canadian-manufactured vehicles are duty-free. If you are a resident of the United States returning to the country from travel, work, or study abroad, you may apply your $800 CBP exemption, and those of accompanying family members, towards the value of the vehicle under the following circumstances:

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to the United States, fill out our free quick quote form. We guarantee a response within 24 hours.

Import Car from France to USA 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 the States, 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.

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 shipping 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.

Departure Ports – France

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car shipping to the United States, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. Here are the French ports we can import your vehicle from:

Before importing your vehicle to the United States, 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.

Before driving your vehicle in the United States, ensure that both you and your vehicle comply with US licensing and registration laws. Requirements differ based on your citizenship status and the length of your stay in the United States.

Your imported vehicle should bear the International Registration Marker, and you may wish to consider acquiring an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you are a foreign national. France is a party to the Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949, meaning that French citizens can acquire an IDP and use their driver’s license in the United States.

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.

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