Guide to importing a classic car into France – check out top tips from the experts. At The European Concierge, they’ve helped heaps of classic car owners to bring their much cherished vehicles into France and say it really pays to know the rules…
April 1st is a key date
April 1 each year is a key date – it’s when another batch of vintage cars achieves dispensation from tax duty on being imported into France by reaching the required age to be classified a ‘classic car’ 30 years and over. So on April 1st 2024, a car that was built before January 1st 1994 (or registered before January 8th 1994) will be 30 years old and therefore qualifies for tax exemption. VAT is still applicable but at a rate of 5.5% instead of the usual 20%.
Registering a classic car or bike in France
A car that qualifies for ‘historical interest’ by being more than 30 years old, benefits from a special classic car rate of 5.5% VAT instead of 20% VAT, plus 10% duty.
On the other hand, it is important to note that when it comes to the reduction in customs duties to 5.5% for a classic vehicle, French customs reserve the right to contest this allocation, taking into account a number of concepts that will enable a vehicle to be classified as ‘classic’ at the time of customs clearance.
Customs rules stipulate that all of these criteria must be met :
– The vehicle must be over 30 years old
– The condition of the vehicle must include its main original components (in other words, the vehicle must not have undergone any significant modifications).
– Production of the vehicle by the manufacturer must have ceased.
These conditions are identical for collectors’ motorbikes.
How to register a classic car in France
It’s true that registering a classic car can be a little more complex than for modern vehicles. It is also a fairly long process. Just as for modern car imports you’ll need tick a lot of boxes and put together a bunch of paperwork. Certificates for conformity, road worthiness and fiscal rating for instance. You’ll need to register the car on the French government systesm and that’s not as easy as you’d like it to be, the system has a few glitches which have caused quite a few problems with access, lack of processing and lost information. It can be a tedious and frustrating procedure but if you love your car – then there’s no way round fulfilling these obligations.
However, there are companies that can help you, take the admin pain away and see the process through to completion on your behalf. The European Concierge can look after every aspect of French administration for any type and age of vehicle. They also source and import classic cars from all over the world. And they can handle French car purchase, leasing and transport. They can also help you apply for the distinctive number plates which have a chic black background and either silver or white characters which classic cars and motorbikes can have.
“It might come as a surprise that bringing your classic car over to France from non-EU countries including the UK, USA, UAE, Canada and Australia can be simpler than bringing in a modern one these days, you don’t need to leave your beloved vehicle behind when you move to France!” says Eric Donjon at The European Concierge.
If you’d like help importing your classic car, motorbike or modern car, head to: theeuropeanconcierge.com
