Shipping a Car to France

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You can ship a car to France from the U.S. in a relatively straightforward manner. Unlike many other countries, France has a set of easy-to-follow processes for importing a vehicle. France also has relatively low import tariffs compared to other countries, which means that you can import a car to France without having to worry too much about the cost implications.

Car Shipping Services to France

Typically, car shipping companies take between three and four weeks to ship a car to France from America. US shipping companies offer car transportation services to several major cities in France, including Bordeaux, Chantilly, Lyon, Marseilles, Toulouse and Paris. Your car will, typically, be transported either in a container or on board a Roll on Roll off shipping (RoRo) vessel.

Container Shipping and RoRo Shipping

Container shipping is the safer of the two options, since your car will be transported securely in a container of its own. Some shipping companies will allow you to pack personal goods and household items in the same container, as long as the additional items fit in the container securely. However, RoRo is the cheaper of the two options for shipping a car to France. With RoRo shipping, your car will be driven on broad a RoRO vessel, parked on an open car deck and transported to France, where it will be driven off the ship and handed back to you.

Documents Required to Export a Car to France

Shipping companies require the following items in order import a car to France.

A copy of your vehicle registration and title.
A properly notarized statement from your bank or creditor authorizing transport of the vehicle to a foreign destination.
A photo ID.
A letter authorizing your agent to pick up your car in case you are unable to receive it personally in France.
Your car keys.

Customs Formalities

Regardless of the method you choose to ship your car, the customs formalities upon arrival in France remain the same. Individuals importing a car to France are required to pay a customs duty of 10 percent of the value of the car, and a value added tax (VAT) of 19.6 percent. You will also be required to show proof of ownership of the vehicle, title, the original bill of sale and the bill of lading from your shipping company.

Registering Your Car in France

When importing a car to France, you will be required to register the vehicle in the country using a process known as ‘immatriculation.’ In addition, you will need to obtain a Grey Card, or ‘Carte Grise,’ from the Prefecture where you will be living. You will have four months after the car enters France to complete the required formalities. If you plan on shipping a car to France and are uncertain about how to do it, you can ask your shipping company to help you with the necessary paperwork and custom formalities.

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