---
title: "Ship Cars To The US From France: 2025 Rates, Rules & Paperwork"
description: "Ship cars from France to the US: $2,750 avg. container, EX-A, VAT, docs, compliance, port tips. Live quotes with WCS’s car import calculator."
---

[International Car Shipping Blog ](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog)

# [Ship Cars To The US From France: 2025 Rates, Rules & Paperwork](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/ship-cars-to-the-us-from-france-2025-rates-rules-paperwork)

 Written by [Alex Naumov](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/author/alex-naumov) | November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM

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](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/importing-a-european-car-to-the-us-full-europe-to-usa-guide). To skip ahead for a live route-specific quote, use the [WCS car import calculator](https://www.wcshipping.com/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](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/importing-a-european-car-to-the-us-full-europe-to-usa-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

| Step | Typical Timing |
| --- | --- |
| Purchase & Collection | 1–7 days |
| Document Prep/Export | 3–10 days |
| Container Consolidation | 2–7 days extra |
| Ocean Transit | ~18 days |
| U.S. Customs & Handling | 3–5 days |
| U.S. Delivery | 2–7 days (by state) |

*  
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](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/importing-a-european-car-to-the-us-full-europe-to-usa-guide) for key compliance highlights, or use our [car import calculator](https://www.wcshipping.com/car-import-calculator) to lock your cost and timing.

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[View full post](https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/ship-cars-to-the-us-from-france-2025-rates-rules-paperwork)

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