Inside

Importing a Car to France and Getting it Registered

The information you need if importing a new or used car or motorcycle to France. Where to get the certificate of conformity (proof of homologation), where to take the vehicle and how to get a UK or mainland EU or US car onto French plates.

In this section:

Importing from Within the European Union
Importing a Vehicle From a Non-European Union Country
The DREAL
Obtaining a Certificate de Conformité

The immatriculation is a vehicle's registration. The details of a vehicle's registration are carried in the Certificate d'Immatriculation (previously called Carte Grise; grey card).

Before being able to register a foreign vehicle in France and receive the Certificate d'Immatriculation registration document, the vehicle must conform to the French road standards. The simplicity of the process can vary depending on the make, age and country of origin of the vehicle. Below are the basics of the process that can be expected.

The process is different (and can be simpler) for classic and collectable vehicles; it can be far more complicated for modified vehicles. Please enquire at the Préfecture.

Using a Foreign Car in France

It is not obligatory to register a foreign vehicle in France unless the owner is resident in France. A resident is someone who is domiciled in France for more than six months (183 days) per year, or who is employed in France.

EU legislation

Under EU law, a private vehicle may be temporarily imported and used on French roads for up to six months in any 12 months. The vehicle must be re-registered in France if it is owned and used by a resident of France.

It is against the law for the resident of an EU country, while living in that country, to drive any vehicle registered in another EU country. So a person who is a resident of France may only drive a French-registered car while they are in France (with the exception of cross-border workers).

An EU-registered vehicle must satisfy the legal roadworthiness requirements of its country of registration to be legal to drive elsewhere in the EU.

Importing from Within the European Union

No duty is charged on a used vehicle imported for personal use, provided that VAT has been paid in the EU country where it was bought, that the vehicle is at least six months old (date since first registration) and has driven at least 6,000 Km prior to entry into France.

For a new vehicle bought in another EU member state, the TVA must be paid in France unless the French Fiscal Services are provided with the original receipt stating that VAT has been paid and, and there is proof of a valid foreign registration of the vehicle. (A new vehicle is one that was first registered less than six months before or has not driven more than 6,000 Km.)

Take the vehicle's original registration documents and receipt of sale to the Centre des Impots. A fiscal certificate (Quitus Fiscal) or tax clearance form is issued. In some instances, there are customs and Tax charges payable, depending on the age/mileage of the car.
There are two ways to identify that the car is of a recognised type in France or in the EU. Either by the identification number given by the manufacturer for cars produced in series (Certificate de Conformité Europeen) or with a “Attestation RTI" (Reception à Titre Isolé) from DREAL.
If the car is more than four years old it will need to pass a côntrole technique, the French roadworthiness test (similar to the MOT); this must have occurred less than six months previously (two months if a contre-visite or re-test is required). Roadworthiness certificates from other countries are not acceptable as an alternative - the car must pass a French côntrole technique.
Apply to the motor registration department at the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture for the form: Demande de certificat d'immatriculation d'un véhicule. This initiates the process of registration. A dossier will be opened.
- The form (Cerfa form n°13750) to register a used car can be downloaded: Click here (PDF in French)

Supply:

Proof of identity
Proof of residence/address (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bill, insurance certificate)
A copy of the foreign registration certificate
Copy of the Certificat de Conformité Europeen (issued by the manufacturer or their agent) or an Attestation RTI
A copy of the certificate of purchase and customs clearance certificate (issued by the Centre des Impots)
Côntrole technique certificate if required

There is a fee due based on the CV engine power of the vehicle.

The Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture will detail where the documents should be sent. The DREAL (Directions Régionales de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement) might ask for additional documents.

The car owner is notified when they should return to the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture, where the registration document, and new registration number are issued.

Next, new number plates (plaques d'immatriculation) must be ordered, made and fitted.

Information from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on relocating to France and bringing a used vehicle: Click here (in French)
Information from the French government on importing a used car from outside France: Click here (in French)
Information on how to register a car from the UK: Click here (in French)
General information on how to import a car to France: Click here (in French)

Importing a Vehicle From a Non-European Union Country

No duty is payable on a used vehicle imported for personal use, provided that all customs fees and taxes due were paid in the country of origin and that the vehicle has belonged to the registered owner for over six months, and that they were resident outside the EU for at least 12 months.

The process is as follows:

Take the vehicle's original registration documents and receipt of sale to the Centre des Impots. A fiscal certificate or tax clearance form is issued. There are customs and tax charges payable, depending on the age/mileage of the car. A certificat de dédouanement 846A is issued.
Apply to the motor registration department at the local Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture for a demande d'immatriculation. This initiates the process of registration. A dossier will be opened.

Supply:

Proof of identity
Proof of residence (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bill, insurance certificate)
A copy of the foreign registration certificate
Copy of the attestation de conformité (issued by the manufacturer or their agent)
A copy of the certificate of purchase and customs clearance certificate (issued by the Centre des Impots)
French Côntrole technique certificate if the car is more than four years old; this must have occurred less than six months previously (two months if a contre-visite or re-test is required).

The applicant will have to complete a déclaration de mise en circulation and a form for additional information about the vehicle. Your dossier will be sent to the DREAL, which will send notification by mail when to present the vehicle for examination at the DREAL testing centre.

If it passes the test, the DREAL will issue a statement of approval. Take the statement of approval, the Carte Grise and new registration number to the local Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture. All that remains is to have new number plates made and fitted.

More information from the French Ministry of Foreign Afairs: Click here (in French)

The DREAL

The DREAL (Directions Régionales de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement) replaces the DRIRE (Directions Régionales de l’Industrie, de la Recherche et de l’Environnement). DREAL is the authority responsible for vehicle testing imported cars before they can be registered in France.

Go in person to the DREAL.

To find a regional DREAL office: Click here and select your region (in French)

Take:

The vehicle
Proof of identity
Proof of residence (property title deeds, rental contract, utility bill, insurance certificate)
A copy of the foreign registration certificate
A copy of the certificate of purchase and customs clearance certificate (issued by the Centre des Impots)
Driving licence
Cheque book to pay the fee

The vehicle will be inspected and verified that the make, year and chassis number correspond to French homologation standards, la fiche d'homologation. This process can take two or three weeks. If the car conforms to these standards, there will be a fee to pay, varying on the vehicle.

Note: Even if the vehicle is homogene, there are certain things that may need changing because, for example the engine you have does not have the same number as the one in the French homologation fiche, or the optics are not the same, meaning the headlight casings of a right hand drive car will need to be reset or replaced to accommodate driving on the left.

It may therefore be required that changes are made and the vehicle be returned to the Service des Mines to be re-inspected and approved. The vehicle may be driven in the interim.

Écotaxe for High Emissions Vehicles

From January 2008 a penalty tax (écotaxe) is due on any car with high emissions - over 160 grams of CO₂ per Kilometre. It is a one-off payment and applies to the following:

Any new vehicle registered in France from 1 January 2008,
Any used, privately owned vehicle imported and registered in France from 1 January 2008.
Note: In this case - a vehicle bought and registered abroad and then imported into France - the amount of tax reduced is reduced by 10 percent for each year from the date of first registration

Further information on the additional tax (Malus): Click here (in French)

The écotaxe penalty is paid at the point of first registration of a new vehicle and applies to emissions as follows:

€200 for vehicles with emissions from 161 to 165 grams of CO₂ per Kilometre
€750 for vehicles with emissions from 166 to 200 grams of CO₂ per Kilometre
€1,600 for vehicles with emissions from 201 to 250 grams of CO₂ per Kilometre
€2,600 for vehicles with emissions over 250 grams of CO₂ per Kilometre

ADEME (Agence de l'Environment et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie) provides comprehensive information on vehicles and their emissions (in French) with calculation tables and reference information.

For a full list of CO² emissions per vehicle make and model: Click here (in French)

Obtaining a Certificate de Conformité

Note: It might not be possible to issue any Right Hand Drive vehicle built before April 1997 with a Certificate of Conformity. Vehicles before this date and back to August 1978 can instead be issued with a National Type Approval Certificate.

Contact the manufacturer's representative (some contacts below) to establish the fee (if any) and documents required.

Audi/Volkswagen
Tel: 03 23 73 81 77
Call to obtain a form and return it with registration documents and payment.
BMW Homologation Department
BMW France Service Homologation,
3, Avenue Ampere,
Montigny le Bretonneux
78886 St-Quinten Yvelines CEDEX
Tel: 0825 000269
Call to obtain the relevant form and documents.
Citroën
Attestation CO10 (Service Attestation Technique Citroen Immeuble Colisée)
12 Rue Fructidor
75835 Paris Cedex 17
Tel: 01 58 79 71 48 or 01 58 79 70 29 (14:00 to 17:00)
Send copy of registration document (both sides). Invoice/purchase contract confirming that you own the vehicle. Information on manufacturer's plaque. Number of speeds. Number of seats. Proof of your identity (passport or similar). Payment made payable to Automobiles Citroen to cover administrative fees (approx €100+, ask for the exact amount).
Chrysler Daimler Mercedes
Service Homologation
Parc de Rocancourt
BP 100
78153 Le Chesnay Cedex.
Tel: 01 39 23 56 00
Send (both sides) copy of registration document.
Fiat, Alfa Romeo & Lancia
Tel: 01 30 16 70 00
Call to obtain form - ask for "service homologation".
Ford
34, Rue Croix de Fer
78122 St Germain en Laye cedex
Tel: 01 61 01 61 01
Send both sides copy of registration documents. Information on manufacturer's plaque (could be found on the radiator). Bill proving adjustment of lights to French standard. Payment to FMC Automobiles SAS
Honda
Service Homologation
Honda France
Parc D'Activités Parisest
Allée du 1er Mai
BP46 Roissy Bourbour
77312 Marne la Vallée Cedex 02
Tel: 01 60 37 30 00
Write or call to obtain form
Land Rover/Range Rover
Land Rover France
Service Homologation
34 Rue de la Croix de Fer
78127 St-Germain-en-Laye Cedex
Tel: 01 61 01 62 61
Fax: 01 61 01 62 63
Call to request a form. Then send copy of registration document. Information on manufacturer's plaque on vehicle. Type of bodywork. Number of doors. Number of seats. Tyre dimensions. Owner's name, and address in France. Bill or attestation from garage (if relevant). Payment made to Land Rover France SA.
Mazda
Mazda Automobiles France SAS
ZI Moimont 2
1 rue Eugene Pottier Marly-la-Ville
95476 Fosses Cedex
Tel: 01 34 72 13 00 Fax: 01 34 72 27
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi France
3 Avenue Hoche
75008 Paris
Tel: 01 34 35 84 00
Call to discuss the request for a certificat de conformité (some telephone agents speak English).
Opel, Vauxhall
1 Avenue du Marais
95100 Argenteuil
Tel: 01 34 26 30 00
Call to obtain form to fill and return it with registration documents and payment.
Peugeot
Automobiles Peugeot?
75 Ave Grande Armée
75116 Paris
Tel: 01 40 66 55 11
Send a copy of purchase invoice, or if second-hand, a hand-written private sale document and if UK registered, a copy of UK V5. Payment.
Porsche France
122 Ave du General-Leclerc, Boulogne Billancourt, , France
Tel: 0820 800 911,
Fax: 01 55 19 91 11
Call for instructions
Renault S.A.S
Service attestations
860 Quai de Stalingrad, 92109 Boulogne Billancourt
Tel: 08 10 28 22 82
Suzuki
Suzuki France SA
Servive Après-Vente Auto
BP 136
78196 Trappes Cedex
Write to request a certificate, enclosing a copy of your registration document.
Triumph (motorbikes only)
Jean Louis Picot
Triumph France
19 Rue Georges Bidault
Roissy Bourbourg
77437 Marne La Vallée Cedex 02
Tel: 01 64 62 38 38
Write with a copy of the registration document. There may be a charge.
Toyota
Toyota France
Service Homologation
20 Bld de la République
92420 Vaucresson
Tel: 01 47 10 81 00
Fax: 01 47 10 81 81
Call to request appropriate forms. Vehicle details and copy of registration papers are required. There is a fee payable.
Volvo
Volvo Automobiles France
Service Homologation
34, rue de la croix de fer
78128 Saint-Germain en Laye
Tel: 01 61 01 62 59
Fax: 01 61 01 62 63