Ship Cars To The US From France: 2025 Rates, Rules & Paperwork

Shipping a car from France to the United States opens the door to a unique array of classic Citroëns, Alpine sports cars, and hot hatches—but requires expert navigation of French export paperwork, customs steps, and U.S. compliance. Here’s a transparent 2025 guide to costs, schedules, documentation, and the country-specific tips every buyer needs.

For an end-to-end Europe-to-USA overview and full cost breakdowns, visit our main Europe import guide. To skip ahead for a live route-specific quote, use the WCS car import calculator.

Real Shipping Costs From France to the U.S.

• Recent consolidated WCS average: ~$2,750 ocean freight (Le Havre or Marseille to New York), ~18 days transit for standard containers. Not every container sails daily—extra 2–7 days can be needed for groupage/consolidation, especially in off-peak seasons.

• Extras: Vehicle collection in France, port fees, US port/brokerage ($600–$1,200), customs duty (2.5% for most eligible cars, 15% for modern non-exempt vehicles/Section 232), U.S. inland delivery.

Cost drivers: Season, city of origin, and local port conditions all influence final pricing—use our calculator for up-to-date numbers per shipment.

Step-by-Step French Export Process

1. Gather French Documents:

   • Carte Grise (French registration document)

   • Bill of sale with VIN, price, full seller/buyer info

   • Power of attorney if a shipping agent or broker will coordinate paperwork

2. Customs Export Declaration (DAU / EX-A):

   • Filed through French customs for all permanent exports

   • Required to process VAT refund if exporting outside the EU

3. VAT Nuances:

   • France charges 20% VAT on most vehicle sales; non-EU buyers may be eligible for a refund, but timeline and rules differ by region and transaction.

   • VAT refund is only possible with full customs/export declaration and proper seller/agent coordination; ask if your deal qualifies and expect processing to take weeks.

4. Port Agent Role:

   • Port-side agents handle EX-A filing, container booking, physical dock appointments, and vehicle loading—WCS coordinates this entire process to keep paperwork and scheduling seamless for clients.

5. Export Clearance:

   After customs sign-off and official EU exit, your vehicle is ready to depart via groupage container or on a dedicated booking.

Get a step-by-step visual and latest requirements at the full guide.

What Documents Are Needed for U.S. Entry?

• French registration and proof of export (with official stamp or EX-A)

• Bill of sale showing transaction and origination details

• Carrier bill of lading

• EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 for all imports

• Additional EPA/DOT/RI documentation for modern (<25 year) vehicles

• For 25+ year classics: photos of original VIN/data plate and non-modified status

Modern cars (<25 years) may require: Registered Importer handling, federalization modifications ($10,000–$25,000+), and 15% tariffs for most new non-exempt vehicles arriving from France as of 2025.

Key Tips for France–U.S. Car Shipping

• Choose container shipping: Safest for all French cars; groupage allows you to share and save if you’re not rushing for a specific sail date.

• Expect a paperwork lag: Shipping can be delayed if the vehicle isn’t properly deregistered in the French system; pre-book with lead time before seller’s export deadline.

• Clean the vehicle thoroughly: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections require the car to be 100% free of soil/leaves in undercarriage and interior.

Typical Shipping Timeline: France to US

Delays often occur at groupage and document stages; working with WCS expedites every detail.

France’s Most Popular U.S. Imports

• Renault Sport models (Mégane RS, Clio V6)

• Citroën DS and 2CV classics

• Peugeot 205 GTI, 405 Mi16, and rare hatches

• Alpine A110 (classic and modern)

• French-market Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW models

Why Choose WCS for Your France–U.S. Car Import?

• Port-to-port and door-to-door coverage for buyers in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, and all major French cities.

• Direct port agent coordination: WCS handles EX-A, booking, VAT compliance, and all container logistics.

• U.S. customs and compliance: We pre-screen docs, manage brokerage, and deliver anywhere in the States—helping with local registration at your destination.

Get a Live Quote and Shipment Schedule

Start your import journey with up-to-date, all-in pricing and shipping schedules. Visit the WCS Europe-to-USA guide for key compliance highlights, or use our car import calculator to lock your cost and timing.