Car import agency in France

Publié par Eplaque-2 min de lecture ⏳

Le 22/11/2021-Mis à jour le 21/08/2023

Importing a car in France, or in any country as a matter of fact, can be rather complicated. When one doesn’t speak the language well, or not at all mess, this can become mission impossible. Can we contemplate availing the services of a car import agency in France? Definitely, since there are several companies specialized in vehicles import.

What services do car import agency in France offer?

It depends on what you exactly mean by “car import agency”. Do you want the company to simply take care of the logistics part of importing a car? Do you want the agency to take care of the car registration in France, included or not IVA (individual vehicle approval)? To find a company that offers an all in one package (find the car abroad, import and register it)? The good news is anything is possible. You will find businesses that are specialized in all those tasks. So whether you want to find a rare car from the United States, the United Kingdom or Japan, or just register the car you brought with you in France, you will find a way.

Registrar of imported vehicles

Shipping a car to France

If you simply want to ship a car from abroad to France, the best is to liaise directly with a transportation company. Typing those keywords in Google will help you identify the companies offering this kind of service. It can include customs clearance (846A certificate).

Selling a car in France: paperwork

Registration of an imported car

If shipping is not an issue, you might want the assistance of a car import agency in France to register your vehicle. Indeed, the procedure can be complicated. If the car doesn’t have a European certificate of conformity (e-COC), it will have to go through an individual vehicle approval procedure. On top of a visit to your DREAL or DRIRE, you might have to go through extra tests at the UTAC.

Some companies are specialized in such dealings. They will ensure compliance of your car with French standards, and go through the procedures for you. For most American cars, it will cost around € 5,000 just for the approval (homologation). If you already have the documents but you don’t know how to submit your file to the ANTS, we can help. Our agency is specialized in local and imported cars registration. Email us for info or kicking off the procedure by clicking the button below:

Register an imported car in France, in English

Car import agency in France with “all in one package”

If you are considering buying a car that can almost be found abroad only, you will want to deal with a “mandataire importation”. They will act on your behalf to import the car, register it in some cases. Some companies are specialized in certain markets (vehicles with plates from Germany, United States, Japan, etc.). Others work all around the world. You might want to specify your criteria to narrow down the list of companies that can assist you. For example, if you want to import a car from Japan.

How much will I cost?

The subject is so vast that it’s impossible to say. We have a page regarding car registration costs in France, that provides information about the price of a registration itself. You will have to add on top of this homologation fees if no COC, duties if the car comes from outside the EU, etc. Don’t hesitate to send an inquiry to a car import agency in France before taking a decision, so you have a good idea of the costs before taking any commitment.

Une question ?

Nous vous répondrons dans les meilleurs délais.

Les questions des utilisateurs

Almin R
9 mai 2025
Hello, I have a car whit Monaco car registration documents. Can you help me to issue the Carte Grise (France)? After this I will Export the car from France, but for Export I need the Carte Grise.
- Eplaque
  12 mai 2025
  We can take care of the registration certificate provided that you have a legal address in France and you hand us over all the required paperwork, such as the "Certificat pour Obtention de la Carte Grise en France" (CPOCG). You'll find more about it on https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/themes/transport-and-mobility/vehicle-registration/printouts-from-the-number-plate-database/how-to-apply-for-a-certificate-for-registration-abroad
Pierre ROBINET
27 janvier 2025
Bonjour, je cherche a importer mon Camper achete et enregistre en Thailande en France. Je souhaite bien entendu payer toutes les taxes necessaires mais j'aimerai etre accompagne dans les demarches et connaitre la procedure, notamment les papiers requis de la thailande? Pourriez vous me contacter.
- Eplaque
  27 janvier 2025
  Malheureusement notre service est limité à l'immatriculation.
Kelly Bruce
18 novembre 2024
Hello, We have a UK registered Renault Trafic minibus currently in France. Rather than bring it back to the UK as the 6 months maximum time limit has nearly expired we have now decided to register it in France. We have the COC and I believe most of the paperwork but it has not yet been registered with French customs. Can You help with this ? Kind regards, Kelly
- Eplaque
  19 novembre 2024
  We are not a car import agency; we deal with registrations only, sorry.
Jack
23 octobre 2024
Hi I have a 2014 VW Passat worth £2800 I would like to export it to France, currently it is in the UK and registered here in my name. I don’t live in France but my family do and I would like to take the car there and leave it there for when I visit.
- Eplaque
  23 octobre 2024
  You would have to register it on their name. We can handle the registration process for you, but our services don't include the gathering of the paperwork.
Jonathan Bostock
16 octobre 2024
Good morning,

We have a 2001 Porsche Boxster S. We have notified DVLA that the vehicle has been exported. We have a Certificate of Conformity. We have the bill of sale. The vehicle is currently located south of France.

Looking to register in France.
- Eplaque
  17 octobre 2024
  You'll also need an individual approval from the DREAL of your region, and a 846A certificate from customs (unless you moved recently to France, this import is subject to 20% VAT and 10% duties).
Tony
15 juillet 2024
Hello, I am interested in importing a Tesla model 3 from the UAE which I have owned since 2022. Can you advise on approximate fees for the registration.
- Eplaque
  16 juillet 2024
  Well, the registration taxes are only EUR 13.76 since it's an electric vehicle. There will be extra costs for individual approval + duties and VAT to pay (30% of the market value of the car in France) though.
mark
3 juillet 2024
temp. exportation to uk for repair private voiture

Fees ?

Cdt.
- Eplaque
  4 juillet 2024
  As far as we know there is no such thing as temporary exportation. If the car needs repair, it can go and come back. The same way we can travel abroad with a car without making any declaration.
Colin Owen
24 avril 2024
Hello

I am interested in importing a used car from the U.K. to France I would re register it . My problem is I have read that Duane’s often place their own value on imported cars irrespective of U.K. dealers official headed receipts, if this is true I would not proceed . Can an import agent help
- Eplaque
  25 avril 2024
  The rule is that duties and VAT are calculated on the market value of the vehicle. If the receipt has a too low amount, then yes they will place their own value.
Thurain
21 février 2024
Hi, I have a classic car Fiat 500 that is in Australia and I want to ship it and have it registered in France to be kept at my holiday home. We have left Australia and live in Singapore but can't bring the car to Singapore so would like to leave it in France to use when we are there. I would like a full service to help ship and get it registered properly so I can drive it. it is a 1969 RHD Fiat 500L. May Thanks
- Eplaque
  22 février 2024
  Unfortunately our service is limited to the registration itself.
Michael
20 février 2024
I have a vehicle that I have owned since October 2009. The vehicle was made in 1975. The vehicle is in Australia where it was last registered for normal road use 2010/2011. I have an Australian Safety conformity Certificate from 2010 obtained in Queensland. Required to import the vehicle from Victoria where I purchased it. I have moved to live in France permanently. I applied for a Card Vitale in Feb 2024. I have a Card SeJour as a result of Brexit. I am a British Citizen. I also have Australian Citizenship. I plan to import the vehicle into the Port of Lyon. I am hoping for duty and tax exemption. My question - Do I need to obtain a customs form 846A in advance of the vehicles arrival in Lyon ? or is the Form 846A part of the clearance formalities ? - thank you in advance
- Eplaque
  21 février 2024
  When shipped by boat, we don't know whether clearance is mandatory to release the car from the port, sorry. When it comes by road, you have to go the closest customs office to clear it. In that case no special notification is required. For more info: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/services-aide/infos-douane-service
Sefton
4 janvier 2024
I’m have a uk registered car in France and want to get it on the french register. Can you help me get the customs form 846A?
- Eplaque
  5 janvier 2024
  No, our services are focused on car registration processes.
Paul Slevin
4 janvier 2024
Hi,

I want to buy a used camping car in Germany and import it to France. I am a French resident. Can you help, what do you need and how much does it cost including taxes etc.

Thanks.
- Eplaque
  5 janvier 2024
  We cannot say with such a generic info. To know more, contact us: 01 84 80 28 27 or contact@eplaque.fr
Dominic Jackman
24 novembre 2023
Hello, I'm interested in buying a specific car from outside of the EU that is hard to find in France. (I like in Framce).
The car is a Suzuki Jimny jb74 GLX from someone like this

Is this possible and can you help. If so what are the likely costs. Many thanks

Dom
- Eplaque
  24 novembre 2023
  Unfortunately our services are limited to registration.
0680741489
15 septembre 2023
Hello. I came from Russia on a D visa by my car. I read on forum that registration of cars with Russian license plates is difficult due to sanctions. Can I contact you for help?
- Eplaque
  18 septembre 2023
  You can contact us, as "second line" support I don't have info about that, they will be able to tell you what the situation is like : 01 84 80 28 27 or contact@eplaque.fr
Rick DuBois
12 septembre 2023
Hello, last year I sent my car from france to Australia. And now I would like to send it back from australia back to france.

What services can you offer?
- Eplaque
  13 septembre 2023
  Actually we are not a car import agency, that page is just describing what kind of service you might find here and there. We do provide an online car registration service, however.
Genesis Reyes
12 septembre 2023
Hi team, I have a used car that I need to ship from Panama to France. I plan to send it through the port of Belgium as it is the most economical route but I want to confirm with you if after if I'm doing cutoms clearance in Belgium once the car arrives there, I still need the 846A form to register the car once it arrives in France? I look forward to hearing from you.
- Eplaque
  13 septembre 2023
  No. When goods are cleared in any EU port, they are cleared for the whole European union. In the context of car registration, you'll have to provide them with a copy of the the Belgian customs certificate instead of the French 846A. BTW be very careful with that document, from what I heard it's nearly impossible to get a copy when lost.
Tim
13 août 2023
I am based in Qatar, UK national but temporary resident as primary home in France.I would like to import my Volvo (hybrid, manufactured in EU) to France when I leave Qatar next year. What would be the import charges? Also what is the time period before you can sell?
- Eplaque
  18 août 2023
  It's 20% VAT and 10% duties based on the market value. Beware that although manufactured in the EU, the car is unlikely to have a COC, therefore you'll need a (costly) individual approval to register the car (few thousands euro). Ecological tax might also be costly (the more recent and the more CO2 emissions, the more tax you'll pay). Once registered you can sell it anytime you like.
Linda chandler
12 juillet 2023
Hello,

I have a UK van that I want to register in France. I live in france, have been resident for the last 18 years, so have proof of residency etc. The vans been here for a while, as we couldnt afford to get it fixed, it had a few problems, exhaust etc. but is now ok, was given driven over to us by family, I have the original purchase documents, I just need to get a Quotas Fiscal? (think I can go to my local tax office for this) I have control technique, how do I get a VAT certificate, its asking me online for a Vat certificate 846A from douanes, but I dont have one, what do i do about this?
- Eplaque
  12 juillet 2023
  Since Brexit UK vehicles must get a 846A certificate from the customs office (just go to the closest one). You'll also need an RTI (individual approval).
Alison horace
9 juillet 2023
Dear team

I will import my car from dubai. I will be moving to France to live. I can get the car shipped but need a professional to handle the registration. Many thanks
- Eplaque
  10 juillet 2023
  We can handle the registration, but we do not provide assistance to go through the procedures needed to get the required paperwork.
Kadder
13 février 2023
Bonjour, Je suis Français et je vis en Allemagne depuis déjà plusieurs années. Je souhaite me réinstaller en France à partir du 1er mars 2023. J'aimerais avoir recours à vos services pour importer mon véhicule, pourriez-vous m'indiquer les démarche à suivre ? Cordialement,
- Eplaque
  14 février 2023
  De notre côté nous ne pouvons que traiter votre dossier une fois les pièces rassemblées. Vous trouverez la marche à suivre dans notre dossier sur l'immatriculation d'un véhicule importé. Pour un véhicule d'Allemagne, cela consiste en bref à obtenir le quitus fiscal et le certificat de conformité du véhicule.
Kadder
13 février 2023
Bonjour,

Je suis Français et je vis en Allemagne depuis déjà plusieurs années.

Je souhaite me réinstaller en France à partir du 1er mars 2023.

J'aimerais avoir recours à vos services, pourriez-vous m'indiquer les démarche à suivre ?

Cordialement,
- Eplaque
  13 février 2023
  Cet article fournit des infos sur le secteur, nous sommes un prestataire privé cartes grises. De ce fait, notre rôle se limite à traiter les dossiers, nous n'intervenons pas dans l'obtention des justificatifs comme le quitus ou le COC.
Subhani
30 janvier 2023
Can i buy car from algeria and import in to france what it will be cost ?
- Eplaque
  30 janvier 2023
  Beside transport, it will cost 30% on the value of the car in duties and VAT + individual approval costs, which are not easy to predict. During registration you'll also have to pay, on top of usual taxes, a malus ecologique that can be hefty if the car emits a lot of CO2 and is very recent.
Richard Dunford
16 novembre 2022
Bonjour,

Je veux acheter une voiture d'occasion en Allemagne, la conduire chez nous en France et ensuite l'immatriculer en France. Il aura un certificat de conformité et un TÜV valide.

Pourrions-nous vous employer pour gérer l'immatriculation, la carte grise et la nouvelle plaque d'immatriculation ?

Si oui, de quelles informations avez-vous besoin pour fournir un devis pour ce service ?
- Eplaque
  17 novembre 2022
  Oui. Le tarif des frais de dossier pour l'immatriculation d'un véhicule importé est de 50 €. Il faudra ajouter à ce montant les taxes d'immatriculation, que nous percevons au nom du fisc français. Pour les calculer, vous pouvez utiliser cet outil très simple : https://www.eplaque.fr/carte-grise/prix-carte-grise.html
E Thompson
17 octobre 2022
Halo,

Can you please contact me about registering my car in France , I have French residency
- Eplaque
  18 octobre 2022
  Sure, drop us an email at contact@eplaque.fr and we'll get back to you.
Al amine
14 octobre 2022
Hi can you please contact me
- Eplaque
  16 octobre 2022
  Sure, drop us an email at contact@eplaque.fr and we'll get back to you.
Yahiaoui
14 octobre 2022
Do you 3xport from UK ti algeria
- Eplaque
  14 octobre 2022
  We don't offer such service, sorry.
Mikhail
6 octobre 2022
Hi, I'm British living in France. I have a Swiss Legitimation Card and a French 1 year visitor visa but no French residency yet due to the short work contract with UN in Geneva. I look to purchase a used (2-5 years old) car in Germany - e.g. BMW X3, Volvo XC60, up to 30K-35K.

I can find and collect the car, but I need you help to:

- guide me through the process and paperwork in Germany

- complete everything needed for registration in France

Is it something you can help with and what will be the cost?

Thanks
- Eplaque
  6 octobre 2022
  We can only assist about the car registration process, you'd have to find a car import agency to deal with the German process, sorry.
Kei
20 septembre 2022
I would like to import my BMW Z8 to Monaco, which I bought privately in the US and brought it to the UK in 2012. I already brought the car and am trying to register my car here. But the process is very complicated, especially to my case. Can you help me to do this?
- Eplaque
  21 septembre 2022
  Unfortunately no, because Monaco has its own registration system. We only operate in France.
Mrs Rolande Urwin
17 juin 2022
I'm wanting to import my 2018 Isuzu D-MAX pick-up truck to France. Approximately how much would it cost? I believe their is a malus tax?
- Eplaque
  20 juin 2022
  This is a complex matter. We have written an article about the cost of registering a foreign car, however it's mainly about estimates, since prices vary with the car specifics. About the malus, you will have to pay according to the 2018 rates (google "malus ecologique grille 2018"), minus 10 % per year of registration.
wong.william@me.com
15 juin 2022
Hi, I am setting up a societe civile -registered in French register (purposed to enable me to buy a leisure vehicle in France). I would like to import a new German camper van and registration this vehicle in France and pay VAT in France. Can you help me with this registration ? And how much it will cost ? Assuming I have the EU required papers like Certificate of conformity & tax clearance certificate for registration. Can you help ?
- Eplaque
  15 juin 2022
  Yes, we can help when you have gathered all the documents (quitus fiscal and COC). To handle the file it is EUR 50 + registration taxes collected on behalf of the French state.
Blair Dunlop
28 mai 2022
Hello, we are looking to import a Landrover defender 1986 to France from the UK. We have an address in France. Please could we request a call back.
- Eplaque
  29 mai 2022
  The website moderation team does not handle customer files, please contact our agents: 01 84 80 28 27 (toll free) or contact@eplaque.fr
william blake
28 mai 2022
I have a uk registered car in france. which I purchased in dec 2021 in the uk for £400 needing repair and brought it in to france at the end of December . I now want to register it in France. Do I contact my local customs office and declare it, and pay for the 846a? Is this a problem. If I can get the 846a, I have coc from uk. Can you then do the registration?
- Eplaque
  29 mai 2022
  Yes, customs for the 846A. Since the car is from the UK, you'll also need an "RTI". We can register your car once you gathered all the necessary paperwork, indeed.
Trevor hale
13 mai 2022
Hi I'm looking to buy a 40 year classic car ie lotus,in uk to bring to france as a resident here how do I get customs clearance can I do it?do I just arrive at the French port with the car,or do I need an agent.
- Eplaque
  13 mai 2022
  You can go personally to any customs office as soon as the vehicle arrives in France.
ioannis
4 mai 2022
Hi i bought a car from Paris. I want to travel it to Greece.

i need temporary plates or a temporary insurance and a green card.

can you offer it to me ?
- Eplaque
  5 mai 2022
  Is it a new or second hand car?
Nick Maslenkov
2 mai 2022
Dear …
My name is Nikolay xxx. I would like to understand the procedure of customs clearance and car registration in France. Will you be able to help me with this?
•Car: Volkswagen Tiguan
•VIN: xxxxxxx
•Produced in Russia
•Ecological class: 5
•Transmission: automatic
•Fuel: 2.0 l diesel
•Year of manufacture & first registration: 2020
•Milage: 37,000 km
•Registration: Russia, plate number xxxxxxx

About me:
•I am a citizen of Bulgaria, the car belongs to me as I used to work in Russia
•I will be relocating to Lille, France as of 1st of June
•I will be officially employed by a company in France and will have an address registration as of June
•I have an EU driving license (Bulgaria)

Questions:
1.What is the procedure of customs clearance & registration in France?
2.What is the price of your services?
3.What is the cost of customs clearance?
4.How long will it take to get a French number plate?

Thank you!
Best regards,
Nikolay
- Eplaque
  2 mai 2022
  You will find all the info you need in this article dedicated to imported car registration in France. We charge EUR 50 for the registration, but you'll have to do a lot of things (sometimes costly) to gather the required paperwork. You might want to sell it there and buy a French car to avoid the hassle and extra fees.
COMIDI Daniel
12 avril 2022
Hello,

I want to buy a car in Japan and ship it to europe. How much it will cost me?

Best regards,

Daniel Comidi
- Eplaque
  13 avril 2022
  According to a quick Google query, that would cost around EUR 3,000-4,000.
Ben Cavolick
28 mars 2022
Hello, I currently live in France and will soon be buying a horse trailer in the UK that I would like to import to France. I will be picking the trailer up I would like to know of you can assist with the paperwork for importing this trailer into France?
- Eplaque
  29 mars 2022
  We can assist you with the registration, but not to gather all the required paperwork (846A from customs, RTI).
Mic Clarke
15 mars 2022
Hello, I want to import an old VW camper - the vehicle doesn’t work and will never be driven. It is going to stay inside a barn just as a ‘play space’ for our children. So it will need to come over on a flat bed trailer of course.
- Eplaque
  16 mars 2022
  We are a car registration service, you should liaise with a transportation company to organize the transport.
aljazy
6 mars 2022
Hello,

I'd like to import my car to france from Saudi Arabia, and register the car for use when i am there on vacation and need help.
- Eplaque
  8 mars 2022
  We just take care of the car registration. If you are looking for a "all in one" service, Google "car import agency".
Brian HOYT
16 février 2022
Bonjour,

J'ai une question concernant l'importation de voitures fabriquées selon les spécifications nord-américaines. Si j'importe mon véhicule en France, puis-je utiliser une petite plaque d'immatriculation au format moto (210x130 mm) sur le pare-chocs arrière ? Une plaque d'immatriculation européenne normale de 520 x 100 mm ne conviendra pas et la plaque alternative (275 x 200 mm) s'étendra sous le bord inférieur du support de montage.

Merci.
- Eplaque
  17 février 2022
  Le format moto est réservé aux deux-roues, vous êtes obligé d'utiliser l'un des 2 autres formats que vous avez cités.

Sommaire

What services do car import agency in France offer?
Shipping a car to France
Registration of an imported car
Car import agency in France with “all in one package”
How much will I cost?

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