Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to France is easier than most riders expect—as long as you understand the steps, documents, and port options involved. Whether you’re relocating, planning European road trips, or importing bikes for resale, a clear process from pickup to French customs makes the move predictable and budget-friendly.
For a full overview of costs, duties, and paperwork, see the main guide on shipping motorcycles to France from the USA, and use our dedicated France shipping page to check routes and get live quotes.
The first decision is how your motorcycle will travel across the Atlantic. For most bikes, container shipping is the preferred option; RoRo is now largely reserved for oversized vehicles and heavy machinery.
This is the go‑to method for the vast majority of motorcycles and standard vehicles:
Your motorcycle is shipped in a shared container with other vehicles or bikes.
Professional loading teams secure each bike with chocks, soft straps, and blocking to prevent movement.
Because the container cost is split, this is usually the best value for single or low‑volume shipments.
From West Coast Shipping’s US warehouses to French consolidation destinations, motorcycles start at $500 per bike in shared containers—one of the most cost‑effective ways to ship a motorcycle overseas while keeping it fully enclosed and protected.
Ideal when you need more control or volume:
Perfect for multiple motorcycles (clubs, dealers, collectors).
Suited to high‑value bikes, or shipments that include parts, tools, or display gear.
A 20 ft container typically holds 4–6 standard motorcycles; a 40 ft container can accommodate 8–12+ with careful racking.
As you fill more of the container, your per‑bike cost drops significantly. The main France motorcycle cost and customs guide walks through how this works in real examples.
RoRo vessels are large vehicle ferries where cargo is driven or rolled on and off. While RoRo can technically handle motorcycles, in practice it is now used mainly for:
Oversized vehicles (RVs, buses, trucks).
Heavy machinery (construction, agricultural, industrial equipment).
Key points to understand:
RoRo is not inherently cheaper or more expensive than container shipping; pricing depends on route, carrier, and market conditions.
For standard‑size vehicles like cars and motorcycles, container shipping is usually the better option thanks to full enclosure, flexible consolidation, and easier scheduling.
RoRo is best kept in mind when your vehicle is too large or heavy to fit safely and efficiently into standard containers.
For almost all motorcycle shipments to France, WCS recommends consolidated or dedicated container service as the primary method.
The fastest but most expensive option:
Transit is typically under 10–14 days door‑to‑door.
Best used for race bikes, show bikes, or last‑minute logistics when schedule outweighs cost.
For most owners, consolidated sea containers provide the right balance of speed, cost, and protection, while keeping the motorcycle fully enclosed throughout the voyage.
You can compare container routes and timing for your specific bike via the France shipping page.
Proper preparation protects your bike and avoids customs or carrier issues.
Check brakes, tires, and fluids for leaks; fix any obvious issues.
Reduce fuel to no more than a quarter tank (and follow any stricter carrier requirement).
Disconnect or stabilize the battery as instructed for sea transport.
Wash the bike thoroughly—French authorities can flag vehicles with excessive dirt or organic material.
Take off tank bags, soft luggage, tools, helmets, and clothing.
Only permanently mounted accessories (e.g., fixed panniers, crash bars) should remain.
Personal effects are not permitted inside or on vehicles and can cause delays or additional inspections.
Take clear, date‑stamped photos from all sides, plus detailed shots of existing scratches or cosmetic issues.
Keep these photos and any pre‑shipping inspection notes.
At West Coast Shipping warehouses, motorcycles are also photographed at drop‑off and loading for an extra condition record.
France has several ports, but Le Havre is the primary hub for vehicle imports.
Largest container port for Northern France, serving Paris, Normandy, and much of Western Europe.
Regular sailings from US East Coast and Gulf ports.
Well‑established vehicle import and customs infrastructure.
Once your bike clears customs at Le Havre, it can be:
Collected directly by you.
Trucked to your home, storage, or a dealer anywhere in France.
If you’re planning tours in Brittany, the Alps, or down the Riviera, Le Havre remains a strong starting point because of France’s high‑quality autoroute network.
The France shipping page shows current lanes into France and lets you compare ports and transit times.
Knowing the overall timeline helps you schedule flights, registration appointments, or dealer intake.
Provide basic details: bike make/model/year, value, running condition, origin ZIP/postal code, and desired timeframe.
Receive route and method options (typically consolidated or dedicated container).
Confirm which sailing window and port work best for you.
Either deliver the bike to a WCS warehouse (California, Florida, New Jersey), or arrange pickup.
Open or enclosed transport is available for US domestic legs.
On arrival, your motorcycle moves into secure indoor storage to wait for its assigned container.
Export Power of Attorney allows WCS to file required US export forms.
Our team prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, and EEI (if required).
You receive confirmation once the bike is cleared for export and loaded.
Typical sailing times:
From East Coast: roughly 2–3 weeks at sea.
From West Coast: 5–7 weeks, depending on routing and carrier schedule.
Consolidated containers may wait a short time to fill, but sailings are planned to maintain predictable departures.
Your motorcycle is unloaded at Le Havre.
French customs reviews documents, assesses duties and VAT, and may inspect the bike.
After payment and clearance, your motorcycle is released for collection or inland delivery.
For a deeper dive into timelines and cost scenarios, the main ship motorcycles to France guide provides example schedules and budgets.
Shipping to France is smoothest when you gather all key documents in advance.
You should have:
Original title in your name, with any liens fully released.
Bill of sale or purchase invoice, showing purchase price, date, and VIN.
Passport copy (or company registration documents for business shipments).
Export Power of Attorney naming West Coast Shipping as your export agent.
Any manufacturer documents such as a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or technical specs, which will matter at registration time.
The car‑focused article on what you need to take your car to France outlines similar document requirements that apply to motorcycles with only minor adjustments.
Clearing French customs gets your motorcycle released from the port, but you still need to register it before you can ride legally.
Typical registration involves:
Obtaining or providing a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or equivalent proof that the motorcycle meets EU standards.
Submitting documents through the ANTS system (French online registration portal) or via a local service provider.
Paying the registration tax (carte grise) based on region and motorcycle characteristics.
Contrôle Technique is France’s periodic vehicle inspection, but it’s not automatically required for every motorcycle:
It currently applies to certain motorcycle categories once they are more than 4 years old.
Younger bikes, or certain exempt categories, may not need a Contrôle Technique immediately.
Before you book an inspection, it’s worth checking the latest rules for your motorcycle’s category and age, or confirming with a local center or prefecture. The main France shipping and registration guides cover how Contrôle Technique fits into the broader registration process for imported vehicles.
Shipping a bike internationally is more involved than booking a domestic truck:
Export filings and customs declarations must be accurate.
Container loading and tie‑down techniques must protect the bike’s frame, fairings, and controls.
French customs, duties, and registration requirements are specific and can change with EU or national regulations.
Working with a specialist like West Coast Shipping brings:
Proven workflows for bikes to France via Le Havre and other European ports.
Consolidated container programs that keep the cost per motorcycle competitive (starting around $500 to shared destinations).
Guidance on how container choices affect duties, VAT, and your registration pathway in France—while keeping RoRo as a niche option mainly for oversized or special cargo.
The main France motorcycle shipping guide connects those dots if you’re planning beyond a single trip.
Once you’ve decided on your destination in France and rough dates, your next step is to plug your route and motorcycle details into the calculator on the France shipping page. From there, you can compare container options, adjust timing, and lock in a spot on a consolidated or dedicated sailing.