- International Shipping A Car France From Usa
- Export Your Car To France From The United States(Usa)
- Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Cost & Time Examples For Shipping A Car To France
- Required Documents For Car Shipping To France
- Popular France Car Shipping Destinations
- Custom Duty Calculations For Car Shipping
- Documents Required For Car Transport
- Transporting A Car, Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To France
- Examples Of Heavy Equipment And Oversized Cargo We’re Able To Transport
- Overseas Car Transport Methods Offered Through A1
- Other Services - Transporting A Car To France
- Related Information

International Shipping a Car France From USA
Export your car to France from the United States(USA)
Shipping A Car To France.
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Most cars shipped to France from the United States cost between $1,800 and $4,100.
- If you’re shipping from the West Coast, it usually costs around $1,000 to first ship the vehicle to a port in on the East Coast for delivery of vehicle to France.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to France
To/From | Ground | Ocean | Days |
---|---|---|---|
San Jose, CA to (California port) to Le Havre | $200 | $1,300 | 5+30 |
New York, NY to (New York port) to Le Havre | $275 | $900 | 5+12 |
Boston, MA to (New York port) to Fos-sur-Mer | $400 | $1,200 | 5+12 |
Las Vegas, NV to (California port) to Le Havre | $450 | $1,300 | 5+30 |
Seattle, WA to (California port) to Le Havre | $550 | $1,300 | 6+30 |
Detroit, MI to (New York port) to Le Havre | $575 | $900 | 6+12 |
Atlanta, GA to (New York port) to Fos-sur-Mer | $700 | $1,200 | 6+12 |
Denver, CO to (California port) to Fos-sur-Mer | $775 | $3,400 | 7+30 |
Memphis, TN to (New York port) to Le Havre | $800 | $900 | 6+12 |
Dallas, TX to (California port) to Fos-sur-Mer | $1,025 | $3,400 | 7+30 |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Shipping a International car internationally can seem like a daunting process, but with the right information and a reputable car transport company, it can be done in a smooth and efficient process.
The great news is there are a variety of resources and tools at your disposal, the website for the French Embassy in Washington being by far the most helpful (http://www.ambafrance-us.org/spip?article782).
The most general rules apply to private vehicles, which consist, for all intents and purposes, of motor cars designed to transport people, and also include motorcycles. Other rules and restrictions apply to vehicles for other purposes, such as trucks.
Call Us Today 1-800-518-8708 Or Fill Out The Form On The Upper Right Hand Side Of The Page For A FREE Quote
Important Information to Note.
- Customs duties are due for ALL vehicles that are imported to Francefrom USA, and must be paid at the port of entry
- A Value Added Tax (VAT) will also be assessed and that is a uniform applicable rate of 19.6% (also collected at the port of entry by the French Customs and Excise Service)
Required Documents For Car Shipping To France
- Original title with VIN.
- License plate numbers.
- Inventory or packing list.
- Proof of residence.
- Registration card.
- Original title.
- Purchase invoice.
- Customs entry certificate (#846 A)
Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.
Get my free quote now or call us to do it for you:
Popular FranceCar Shipping Destinations
- Bordeaux
- Grenoble
- Le Havre
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Montpellier
- Nice
- Nantes
- Paris
- Rennes
- Saint-Étienne
- Strasbourg
- Toulouse
Custom Duty Calculations for Car Shipping
Unlike many countries, where the customs duties are varied and therefore hard to determine ahead of time, France offers a simple formula, so you can be prepared as to what to expect. Please note, that these results are only estimates, and you should always verify directly with French Customs before shipping your vehicle.
All of the percentages listed below are based on the value of the imported vehicle, verified by either a commercial invoice showing transaction value (tax excluded), plus (if applicable) the cost of transport and insurance, and the value of any equipment incorporated in the vehicle.
- Automobiles: 10% Customs Duty.
- Motor Homes: 10% Customs Duty.
- Motorcycles: 9% Customs Duty.
- House Trailers/Trailers: 5.3% Customs Duty.
If you cannot provide a commercial invoice showing the value of the vehicle, the value will be assessed by a publication similar to Kelley Blue Book, or the manufacturer’s selling price of your vehicle.
Call Us Today 1-800-518-8708 Or Fill Out The Form On The Upper Right Hand Side Of The Page For A FREE Quote

Documents Required for Car Transport
- Current registration of the vehicle
- A commercial invoice, if available
- You should receive a copy of the import declaration, a custom entry certificate, and a receipt upon clearing Customs
- You are required to register your vehicle in France within 4 months of the vehicle arriving
Start your planning early and make sure to verify any changes in policy before you begin, but if you follow the steps and instructions listed above, you should have an easy go of it.
How to register your vehicle in France.
Transporting A Car, Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To France
It’s not easy shipping heavy equipment and oversized cargo on your own especially if it must be shipped all the way to France. That’s why A1 Auto Transport has been helping people with their national and international transports for decades. With our access to state of the art transport equipment and the most modern international shipping technology, our highly trained employees are capable of shipping all types of cargo anywhere in the world.
Examples of Heavy Equipment and Oversized Cargo We’re Able to Transport
- Tractors
- Combines
- Farm Equipment
- Backhoes
- Excavators
- RVs
- Industrial Equipment
- Bulldozers
- Dump Trucks
- Forklifts
- Hydraulic Equipment
- Oversized Engines
- Pile Drivers
- Harvesters
- Large Engines
- Yachts & Pontoon Boats
- Cranes
- Large Trucks & Heavy Vehicles
- Engineering Equipment
- Agricultural Equipment
- Mining Equipment
Anytime you purchase car shipping services through a licensed transport company, you are assured to be provided with at least the state minimum of insurance coverage. A1 offers additional insurance packages if you wish for more protection.
Overseas Car Transport Methods Offered through A1
A1 Auto Transport has four methods of transport for shipping heavy or large cargo overseas. The methods available to you depend on the type of heavy equipment or oversized cargo you plan on transporting to France. Our professionals will help you with your choices when you call in to schedule your shipping process but below is a little insight on all of our international shipping options.
- Container Transport- This transport method is our most expensive option. However, it provides the utmost security. Your cargo is protected from outdoor elements such as inclement weather since it is shielded by walls and a ceiling.
- Flat Rack Shipping- Your cargo is fastened to a metal frame or flat rack then placed atop the ship. This extra security prevents the cargo from moving and shifting during its transport.
- Lift On/Lift Off (LoLo)- This method is recommended to those with inoperable vehicles as well as those with crated heavy equipment. A crane is used to lift the cargo onto and off of the ship carefully.
- Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo)- Those that have operational equipment and cars can take advantage of our open-air service, which is the cheapest shipping option we offer. If the country's seaports do not permit RoRo imports, this method is often combined with ground transport.

Other Services - Transporting a Car to France
Related Information
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- Shipping a car from the USA to France - What is the cost?
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Frequently Asked Questions
France has several important ports both in the north and south, we have highlighted some of the most prominent ones as follows:
Paris Port: This port not only manages huge river traffic spread across 300 km of navigable waters. It is a major inland container shipment port, the first of its kind to be established in the country, in 1970, and its connection with the intensive river network makes it one of the most important shipment centers in Europe. The port has capabilities of handling both cargo and passengers, and it deals with 130,000 TEUs of container traffic every year by one estimate. Moreover, it is connected with the rest of France via five transport modes: waterways, sea, roads, rails, and pipelines for oil.
Le Havre Port: This port is the second-largest maritime commerce center of France and is managed by the Grand Port Maritime du Havre, a state organization based in the city of Le Havre. The overall tonnage is impressive, and the dense traffic of vessels makes it the largest container seaport in France. Apart from a huge influx of container ships, the port also handles a massive input of cruise ships and passengers.
Fos-sur-Mer Port: Situated on the Mediterranean coast, the port is present to the northwest of Marseille. The coastal city nestles a major container shipping center which is managed by the Autonomous Port of Marseille. The port manages a variety of cargo including methane/natural gas and steel, and container shipping and roll-on, roll-off is also very common, making it the perfect destination point to ship your car to France
Marseille Port: This is a major maritime port in France and handles both cargo and passengers. It sees a traffic of 88 million tons in containers and cargo every year which is managed by two administrative divisions of the port. It is the largest seaport in the country and the second biggest in the entire Mediterranean region. Not only is it historically significant but also forms an important commerce center for the modern Republic.
Lyon Port: Also known by the name of Édouard-Herriot, the Lyon port is largely a cruise port on the Rhone-Saone channel but also handles a fair amount of goods. By one estimate, the port handles about 12 million tons of cargo every year and this includes a huge proportion of edible items – mostly carbohydrates, which take up about 3 million tons of the port’s goods traffic.
This is merely the prelude of the actual list, your car shipment from the USA will most likely arrive at Le Havre or Fos-sur-Mer, unless you choose to have it delivered elsewhere.

With maritime shipping, it is impossible to give an exact cost estimate to ship a car to France because there are several shipment options, variable route distances, and even the transport costs can vary with market fluctuations, i.e. the cost of fuel.
But for your reference, we’ll suggest that you keep a range of $1,800 to $4,100 in mind.
This cost range is based on container shipping cost estimates; roll-on, roll-off shipment is cheaper in comparison.
Just take a look at the cost variables and see how you can minimize your shipping costs.
The shipment time frame depends largely on the maritime shipping distance which is dictated by the route selected for shipping. For instance, the distance between the California port and Le Havre port takes about 30 days to cover.
In contrast, the distance between the New York port and Fos-sur-Mer port can be covered in merely 12 days. This is only one side of the picture, of course, you also need to factor in the overland travel for transport and delivery.
Then you'll need to spend some time going through customs clearance and vehicle registration which will be easier if you have all the documents ready beforehand.
Even at the earliest, it will take over a month for your car to arrive in France and then going through the rest of the process.

Considering that your car complies with the EU emission standards, there isn’t much you need to be worried about when importing your car from overseas. However, some preparations are still necessary and these include cleaning the car thoroughly, both the interior and the exterior.
You also need to clean the undercarriage to rid it of any foreign soil so that no bio-contaminants are introduced into the Gallic land (seeds, spores, cysts, etc.) For this, most people prefer steam cleaning the undercarriage, but you have other options as well.
If you plan on using the roll-on, roll-off shipment option then you’ll need to ensure that none of your personal belongings are inside the vehicle, including any valuables. Plus, you’ll have to fill up ¼ of the tank with gas, but no more than that.
There’s an easier way around this, especially if you’re too busy planning your move and managing your business: you can get experts from the A1 Auto Transport to handle the whole process for you.
There are primarily two options when shipping a car from the USA to France.
The first one is container shipping or closed-air shipment. This method involves sealing the car inside a shipment container and then transporting it overseas. Once the shipment arrives at the destination port, the container is unloaded, opened, and the car undergoes import processing and customs clearance.
This works well for non-runner vehicles (i.e. if you’ve purchased a new car from the USA and want to import it to France), plus you can have your personal effects inside the car. The extra protection afforded by the container also comes with a bigger price tag.
In contrast, the open-air shipment method or roll-on, roll-off shipment involves driving the car on board, as-is, fastening it with the deck, and then transporting it across the selected route. In this case, you can’t have your personal effects inside the car, for obvious reasons, and of course, it only works for runner vehicles (they need to have ¼ of their tanks filled with gas).
This is the cheaper of the two options and works well for most people since it is adequately reliable.

You need to have the following at hand when importing your car from the USA to France:
- The original certificate of title alongside the VIN (vehicle identification number)
- Documented evidence verifying the license plate numbers assigned to your car
- Inventory list
- Bill of lading
- Freighting bill
- Documented proof of residence in France, i.e. if you relocated for work/business
- Vehicle registration documents
- Bill of sale/invoice detailing the specs of the car and its price
- Certificate #846 A (for customs entry)
Sure, here’s how it all works:
- Research – start with fact-finding, you need to discover how things work in practicality, look over the internet entries and check out people's experience to understand:
- Import regulations on cars in France
- Whether or not your car complies with those regulations
- Can your car be made to comply via modifications if it does not do so as-is?
- Common problems with shipping cars to France
- How to get things done fast
- And so on…
- Documents – next, you need to gather all the necessary documents, paperwork, and necessary info/bills for your car import:
- The original title of the car
- Vehicle identification number
- License plate numbers
- Inventory list
- Lading bill
- Freighting bill
- Sales invoice
- Vehicle registration documents
- Proof of residence
- Customs entry #846 A form
- Understanding the costs – you also need to do detailed research about the cost variables to understand what it is exactly that you're paying for and how you can minimize your shipment costs:
- Freighting charges
- Insurance dues
- Car preparation fee
- Wharf charges
- Delivery/transport dues
- Customs duties
- Value-added tax (VAT)
- Import processing fees
- Customs broker’s fee
- Logistics services charges
- Vehicle registration charges (in France)
- Before shipping – you’ll have to fulfill a couple of requirements before you can ship your car, these include:
- Cleaning the exterior and interior of the car
- Making sure that none of your personal belongings are inside the car
- Filling up the gas tank up to ¼ of the full capacity
- Selecting the departure port
- Selecting the destination port
- Selecting between container shipping and roll-on, roll-off shipping
- Selecting a car shipping services provider – lastly, you need to find a company that offers international car shipping services and deals with France as well. A1 Auto Transport does both and ensures complete customer satisfaction throughout!
- Transporting the car to the departure port
- Overseas shipment
- Arrival at the selected port
- Import processing & customs clearance
- Vehicle registration
- Putting on the number plates
Customs duties and taxes must be paid for vehicles imported from the USA at the port of entry, the former is applicable for all vehicles and is based on the actual value of the car. The customs department will decide whether or not your car qualifies for a tax exemption.
Usually, a value-added tax or VAT of 19.6% is also payable, collected by the concerned authorities (i.e. French Customs and Excise) at the port of entry.
Once your car goes through customs clearance and the tax payments have been made in the full, you can register it with the French authorities.
The customs duties for vehicles being imported to France are extracted based on the actual value of the vehicle and a predetermined percentage that applies to various categories. This is part of the job of customs officers – they need to ensure that the cost/value of the car as detailed on the papers is in reality the same.
After proper verification, the department will extract customs duties based on the following percentages:
- 10% for automobiles
- 10% for motor homes
- 9% for motorcycles
- 5.3% for trailers
For a fair estimate, you must provide the original invoice of sales for the said vehicle, otherwise, the value will be assessed via available resources, i.e. data from the manufacturer’s catalog or publications listing estimate prices.

Yes, it is possible.
Certain conditions qualify for tax exemption when importing cars to France:
The first case is for those who’re bringing their vehicle over for the holidays. In this case, you’ll need to make an upfront deposit and take it back when your stay comes to an end and you leave France.
If you’re a USA citizen relocating to France, you may import the vehicle to the country as part of your personal effects (i.e. the stuff you are allowed to being as part of your relocation). In this case, you’ll still have to pay the customs duties but VAT will be waived. Also, for this to apply, you must’ve owned the car for 6 months prior to the move.
EU citizens who previously resided in the USA and were the owners of their cars for at least 6 months, can bring the car to France tax-free, but this only applies once.