This step by step guide walks through the process of importing a motorhome into France from within the European Union. Also available to non-residents.
– Certificate of conformity.
– Purchase receipt (if from a private seller, I will draft the invoice).
– Current registration certificate (unless new).
– Safety inspection test dated within the last 6 months from country of origin (unless new).
– Driving licence + International driving permit.
– Passport.
– Proof of no claims discount.
– Proof of address in France or KBIS certificate.
– Temporary plates & temporary registration document.
– VAT clearance certificate.
– Insurance.
– Permanent plates & permanent carte grise registration document.
– Organisation of conformity inspection (if requested by the authorities).
Applying for a VAT clearance certificate takes ~2 weeks. VAT is only normally paid in France if the vehicle is less than 6 months old or less than 6 000 km.
– Proof of address or KBIS certificate.
– Registration certificate (or certificate of conformity if new).
– Proof of no claims discount.
– Driving licence + International driving permit.
Temporary plates can be issued within 24 hours but if the authorities choose to review the foreign documents it takes on average 3-5 weeks (delays beyond this are common). Temporary registration (sometimes called “WW”) lasts up to 4 months, if the process takes longer the vehicle will have to be stored until complete. Physical plates can be ordered online and delivered to me to forward on in 3-5 days. If you have all the documents in place you can skip the temporary application and apply for the full carte grise registration.
– Purchase receipt.
– VAT clearance certificate.
– Current registration certificate (or certificate of conformity if new).
– Engine power & CO2 emissions are also required (normally listed on the registration certificate / COC).
– Passport.
The vehicle can then be legally driven whilst organising the next stage, the full carte grise.
Insurance certificate and certificate of conformity is now mandatory in addition to the documents for the temporary registration. Approximately 3-5 weeks to issue (delays beyond this are common). It will be sent to your French address then redirected to me to arrange delivery to you.
– Proof of insurance.
– Certificate of conformity.
– Purchase receipt.
– Current registration certificate (or certificate of conformity if new).
– VAT clearance certificate.
– Passport.
Note: If the certificate of conformity is rejected as incomplete then an inspection test can be mandated to obtain a “Réception à Titre Isolé (RTI).” This is organised by department and the location of the test centre will be according to your French address. Timing on this is unknown, authorities say up to 3 months.
– Care grise tax normally around 500 EUR
– Additional Import tax if over 3500kg (both these amounts can be confirmed with vehicle power & CO2 emissions).
– VAT at 20% of purchase price if requested, normally for new vehicles only.
– My import service fee
Things in France very much go at their own pace. Delays are longest in the summer holiday months but waiting times can significantly lengthen unexpectedly at any time. It is impossible to pressure or rush authorities as they simply come back with a firm “non” and we have to wait patiently for the various applications to move forward.
This import method is only appropriate for clients with a specialist vehicle requirement or those with at least 6 months lead time and flexible trip dates. Whilst every effort will be made to the contrary, there is no absolute guarantee that your chosen vehicle will pass all the various hurdles.
