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.
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.
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
Filed through French customs for all permanent exports
Required to process VAT refund if exporting outside the EU
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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.
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
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.
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.