Car Shipping to France

Ship Cars to France - Get Instant Rates

Q: How much are the import duties on cars in France?

As of 2025, the import duty on cars to France is 10% plus 19% VAT. However, when importing classic cars over 30 years old, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5%. Destination charges are approximately $600 and depend on the receiving import agent in France.

Ship cars to France with a reliable US partner using container shipping and air freight. Since 2007, we've delivered thousands of cars to France from auctions and dealers for retail and wholesale importers.

Save big by using our consolidated container service from California, Florida, and New Jersey. Get instant car shipping rates to Le Havre and other ports in France using our car shipping calculator.

Frequent Importer? Request wholesale container shipping rates below.

West Coast Shipping

Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car to France?

With decades of expertise in international car shipping, we've helped thousands of customers ship their dream cars to France. Our comprehensive door-to-door service includes:

Expert car shipping services via container, RoRo, or air freight
Weekly container consolidation saving up to 50% on shipping costs
Complete customs clearance and documentation handling
Nationwide vehicle pickup from all major US cities
Door-to-door delivery through our trusted partners in Europe
Specialist knowledge of French import regulations and requirements

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

With nearly 2 decades of experience in loading containers, we make sure that your cars are safely secured for their journey overseas.

Our team works closely with US Customs to clear cars for export.

For a seamless car import experience, we work with reliable partners worldwide to ensure your cars arrive safely and are properly cleared with import customs.

AIRPLANE

Need your vehicle fast? Air freight delivers in just 3-10 days, making it the quickest shipping option—significantly faster than container or RoRo shipping. Exact timing depends on customs and documentation.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles—running or non-running—and offer cost-saving consolidation shipping. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. Note: This method is only available for oversized cars

FRENCH CAR IMPORT COSTS

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to France?

Base shipping costs to France include:

$1,050–$1,800 for port-to-port container shipping
Destination fees starting at $600, depending on the receiving agent in France
Import duties of 10% plus 19% VAT

Additional considerations:

Our container consolidation service saves up to 50% on shipping costs
Door-to-door service includes all handling and documentation fees
Optional Cargo Damage Protection is available for added peace of mind

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”

Alexander

San Francisco, California

Protect Your Car During Shipping to France

Protect your vehicle during international shipping to France with Cargo Damage Protection. This coverage safeguards your car from its arrival at our warehouse through overseas delivery by our trusted agents. Most standard auto insurance policies don't cover international shipping. If you decline Cargo Damage Protection, please note that our liability is capped at $500 per the Carriage of Goods at Sea Act.

Wholesale Car Import & Export Solutions

We provide high volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers and event organizers turn-key shipping solutions for their vehicles.

End-to-End solutions between the US and the world
Vehicle collection & export clearance
Private warehouses in CA, FL, NJ
Vehicle and parts consolidation
Use our carrier bookings or your own
Ability to choose your own import agent when shipping dedicated containers
Expedited Air Freight options

Required Documents to Ship Cars to France

Essential Documentation

Original Bill of Lading
Bill of Sale
Original Vehicle Title or Lien Release Letter (if applicable)
Completed Online Shipping Form
Copy of Passport (for international citizens)
EIN Letter (for US citizens)

Vehicle Age Requirements

Vehicles 25 years and older: Exempt from DOT and EPA regulations if unmodified.
Vehicles under 25 years: Must comply with US safety and emissions standards.
Factory-built race cars: No age restrictions apply.

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

Base Import Costs

10% import duty for cars
19% VAT applied to the total value (vehicle cost + shipping + duty)

Additional Fees

Terminal Handling Charge: Varies by port in France
Customs Inspection Fee: If applicable, based on vehicle type and condition

Duty Exemptions

Vehicles over 30 years old: No import duty, and VAT is reduced to 7%
Returning US-built vehicles: Duty-free if previously exported

Calculate Cost

Car Shipping Process to France

Shipping cars to France from the USA is a straightforward process when working with experienced professionals. At West Coast Shipping, we handle every step to ensure your car arrives safely and on time.

Transit Times for Car Shipments to France:

2 weeks for customs clearance and container loading in the USA
An additional week for shared container service
2–3 weeks sailing time from the East Coast to Le Havre
5–10 weeks sailing time from the West Coast to Le Havre

Car Shipping Services to Germany:

Container, RoRo, and Air Freight options
Secure container loading with crating options available
US export and French customs clearance handled by our team
Short-term and long-term secure storage options available

Registering Your Car in France

Importing a car to France requires several key registration steps and documentation to ensure compliance with local laws.

Essential Documentation

Original bill of lading
Bill of sale
Original vehicle title or foreign registration
Customs clearance certificate
Vehicle insurance certificate

Import Car Restrictions

Vehicles 25 years and older: Exempt from DOT and EPA regulations if unmodified.
Vehicles under 25 years: Must comply with France safety and emissions standards.

Vehicles Over 30 Years Old

Classic cars are eligible for reduced VAT at 7% and are exempt from import duties.

Our team will guide you through the entire car registration process in France, ensuring compliance with all local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping to France

The average cost to ship a car to France from the USA ranges between $1,050 and $1,800 per car.

This port-to-port shipping cost does not include vehicle collection, destination fees, import duties, and cargo damage protection. The most affordable destination port in France for container shipping is Le Havre.

Get an instant rate using our car import calculator.

Vehicles typically take 30 to 45 days to sail from the US to France, depending on the coast they sail from. Cars shipped from our facilities in NJ and FL would arrive faster than cars shipped from our California warehouse. Container loading and customs clearance typically adds about 2 weeks to the process.

Yes, France ranks among the top destinations for classic cars exported from the United States. When importing classic cars over 30 years old to France, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5% instead of the standard 19%. We have extensive experience shipping valuable classic vehicles with the proper care and protection they require.

Required documents include: Original vehicle title, Bill of sale, Power of Attorney form, and a completed Online Shipping Form. International residents must also provide a copy of their passport. US citizens need to provide a copy of their EIN Letter. If there is a lien on the car, a lien release letter is also required.

As of 2024, the import duty on cars to France is 10% plus 19% VAT. However, when importing classic cars over 30 years old, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5%. Destination charges are approximately $600 and depend on the receiving import agent in France.

If you are moving to France, you can potentially avoid paying import duties entirely if you meet the following requirements: lived outside the EU for at least the past 12 months, plan to permanently move to France, plan to register the vehicle in your name, owned the vehicle for at least the past 6 months, and will not re-export or sell the vehicle within 12 months. Students are exempt from this form of customs clearance.

To register your newly imported car in France, follow these steps: Obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the car manufacturer, get the car inspected at an approved technical control center, collect necessary documents (proof of identity and address, proof of ownership, CoC, technical inspection report, customs clearance certificate), complete form cerfa n°13750, submit all documents to your local prefecture or online via the ANTS website, pay the registration fee and taxes, and receive your new French registration card (carte grise).

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Ship Cars to France - Get Instant Rates

Car Shipping Rates to France

Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car to France?

Export Locations

INTERNATIONAL CAR SHIPPING:

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

SHIPPING CONTAINER

RORO VESSEL

Have Questions?

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How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to France?

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SHIPPING TIMES FROM USA

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Protect Your Car During Shipping to France

Wholesale Car Import & Export Solutions

Required Documents to Ship Cars to France

Dedicated Export Team

The French Car Import Process