Importing a motorhome into France from the EU
We have a service to navigate you through the import process. Also available to non-residents.
The Documents Necessary to Import a Motorhome
Certificate of conformity
Purchase receipt (if from a private seller, we will draft the invoice)
Current registration certificate (unless new)
Safety inspection test dated within the last 6 months from an EU country (unless new)
Driving licence + International driving permit
Passport
Proof of no claims discount
Proof of address in France or KBIS certificate
The Service
You will be guided step-by-step through each of the various hurdles including checking the documents, VAT clearance, import taxes if appropriate, insurance plus temporary and full registration documents.
If the French authorities want to inspect the vehicle (depending on conformity status and import country) we will also navigate you through this. No matter what is thrown up, you’ll have the help to overcome it.
What Are the Costs Involved?
Carte grise tax
Normally around 500 €.
VAT
Not normally due if the vehicle is older than 6 months, greater than 6,000 km, or if the purchase invoice attests to it already having been paid.
Insurance
Normally around 1,500 € per year.
Import service fee
1,800 € for most vehicles. Complex cases will be quoted individually.
Points to Consider
4 months process on average but continued use during that period is normally possible.
Converted or modified vehicles are desperately challenging to import — best avoided.
For all intents and purposes the vehicle should be from a leading EU manufacturer with a full certificate of conformity.
Anything outside the EU is fundamentally a different process altogether.