Shipping cars to France

Need to ship your car to France? We are here to help you. Just send us your details and we will get you free quotes from the best car shipping companies for shipping a car to France.

Importing a car into France

The French have very definite rules concerning the import of a car from outside the country. You can take a car into the country provided you stick to their rules. Rules vary for a temporary import.

The French have strict standards about safety and environment. You have to look out for all the rules and think of compliance even before you decide about shipment of the car.

Taxes upon entry

Import tax is imposed on privately owned vehicles and motor homes, whether used or new and depending on the country of origin. Usually it is 10%. There is a value added tax too of 19.6 % of the price of the car imposed by the customs. If the car is being taken in through another member country of the European Union, the customs import tax will be waived because it is the same in that other country too. Only VAT will be imposed by the French Internal Revenue Service, not the Customs.

The price invoice of the new vehicle or a seller's certificate indicating the price in a second-hand vehicle is a necessity. Deductions may be made by the officials considering depreciation value.

Documents necessary at French Customs

The registration of the vehicle obtained at country of origin
An invoice when applicable.
A T1 declaration if the vehicle has come through another European member country
A movement certificate EUR.1 if the original country of manufacture has a trade agreement with France.

What you are given after paying taxes

You get a copy of the import declaration which allows you to take the vehicle into France. A receipt for the taxes that you paid (Import and Value added taxes) will be given to you. Your entry will be vouched for further by the Customs Entry certificate No. 846 A.

French Customs Rules for driving in France

Registration of your vehicle in France is a must. It is known as immatriculation. Applications are made to the local Prefecture after your entry. When you receive your car from the port of delivery, you are strictly instructed to complete your registration within four months and also to secure a French domestic license plate. The license, vehicle registration document (V5) and certificate of motor insurance will have to be carried by you always. You may have to carry your passport if your photo is not on the license. Fines are imposed on the spot. Your claiming that these vital documents are at home may not see you through. Ensure that you get a receipt for the fine.

Vehicles drive on the left side. The metric system is used so your distance will be in kilometers and speed in kilometers per hour.

Registration
For the registration, you have to produce a certificate of Intra-Community Acquisition from the local tax collector (because you have paid Value Added Tax) and the Customs Entry Certificate No 846 A.

The French Safety and Environment Standards

Your vehicle has to conform to the French Safety and Environment Standards. Normally you would be informed prior to shipping on the required standards. The vehicles manufactured elsewhere do not conform to French requirements. They have to be modified, sometimes involving a large expenditure. If this has not been complied with, the vehicle may have to be exported. Within the grace period of four months, the vehicle must be registered and conform to the French standards or it goes out along with the imposition of severe penalties. Temporary Importing
Tourists can import their car temporarily. They can use their own license, registration and insurance. They can drive their own vehicle if over 18 and the vehicle need not conform to the French standards. French residents cannot use them. The car cannot be sold or rented or disposed of otherwise in France. They can stay anywhere in the European Union countries for six months altogether, including the stay in France. When this period is over, the car must be exported. Repairs on the vehicle in France will invite the VAT.

Special clearance is provided to students, trainees and temporary employees in France with the conditions allowable for temporary importing but for one year from entry.

The Vehicle Shipping
Now that we have become familiar with the French rules, let us think about shipping a car to France .

Actions to be taken when handing over the vehicle for shipping

Your automobile keys may have to be handed over to the company. Keep the originals and give a newly made spare set for all the locked portions of your vehicle like the ignition, glove compartment, boot and gas cap to the company.
Permit the company to have the copies of your license, registration and title and the creditor's declaration of knowledge of the car shipment to France (if they are involved with the financing), a photo identification card of any person you are allotting to take the car to the company or delivering for you.
Get the full communication details of the company, phone numbers and e-mail ids to track the movement of your car and its then status. Your worry is less when you keep tabs on it.

Preparation of the vehicle for transport

If the vehicle is moving through a cold area, it would be advisable to protect it. The radiator and battery liquids should not be allowed to freeze.
The fuel tank should be only half-full or have just enough to permit you to reach a fuel station. As the gasoline is combustible, this would be a precaution against mishaps. Vehicles with propane tanks need to contact their service station and shipping company with the details.
Nothing of value should be left in your car in transport. Make doubly sure that personal documents of value , original certificates of registration, original license and the like are not kept unawares in the car. You may lose them in transit and you cannot hold the company responsible for it. They had already warned you.
Any item which is not secured safely in the vehicle must be removed. This would include the clearing out of your glove compartments, removing CDs and cassette decks. Car phones must be removed. Infant seat which is well mounted and spare tires are permitted.
The car must be in superb working condition. Brakes must be effective and the tires in good running condition.
Low ground clearance of the vehicles would mean making suitable arrangements to reduce any possible damage during the transport. A 6-inch ground clearance is needed.
If any leakage of fluids is noticed, correction must be made before handing over.
The height of the car must be checked. If more than the prescribed height of seven feet, this fact must be relayed to the shipping company for consideration.
Any golfing clubs, guns, fire extinguishers and all loose items must necessarily be removed.
The alarm systems if any, may be pointed out to the company. If possible, they should be disconnected. Those that can help may be left after instructions to the company representative.
Antennas should not be sticking out. They must be retracted.
The vehicle must be clean.
The superb condition of the car needs to conveyed to the company representative and the fact is established by signing on a bill which the company provides.

What the shipping company does

They would discuss in detail about the following items

The expenditure involved en route i.e. in the shipping, transport and the customs.
Where the vehicle is to be collected
The destination
Whether you want a door-to-door delivery
Whether you want a closed container service or an open one is sufficient
The certificates required at the port of leaving and entry
The necessity of the shipping insurance

Why shipping insurance is needed
During the process of shipping a car to France, the car may be left waiting in warehouses or other shelters which are not within the control of the company. This may be the situation on the ship too. The insurance is a precaution taken by the company to cover damages to the car in transit. Damages exceeding $500 will be covered by the insurance.

Insurance can be of two types. An all-insurance covers breakages and damages from the starting point to the finishing one. Some offer another kind of insurance for the coverage during the shipping which includes fire, theft or loss.

Payment in advance, not at the point of delivery

The car shipping companies inform you about the possible expenditure and negotiate with you for a deal which satisfies both parties. They start their work only after you make your payment in full. It is a contract of trust and you are open to complain should there be any fault on their part. You are signing bills at the beginning when you hand over and when you have your car delivered. The company representative checks the car for its operating condition when you hand over. Only if convinced will the company ship your car. You check it when delivered to confirm the operating condition then.

Take the first step towards shipping a car to France by filling out our online form. You will then receive upto 7 FREE personalized quotes from the top shipping companies. The quotes are 100% non-binding on you. We offer this service to you to help you decide the best car shipping company for shipping a car to France.

Links:

http://www.ambafrance-us.org/intheus/customs/5000.asp
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/
http://france.shipping-international.com/customs
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/car/rules/interps
http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm