Car Shipping to France from USA

Car Shipping to France from the USA: Instant Rates

Q: How much are the import duties on cars in France?

As of 2025, the import duty on cars to France is 10% plus 19% VAT. However, when importing classic cars over 30 years old, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5%. Destination charges are approximately $600 and depend on the receiving import agent in France.

We ship cars door to door from any US address to Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer, for collectors, dealers and auction buyers, by ocean container and air. New Jersey to Le Havre starts at $1,100 with 15-18 days at sea.

Save on France car shipping with our consolidated container service from California, Florida, and New Jersey. Use our instant car shipping calculator for live rates from the USA to Le Havre and Fos-Sur-Mer in France.

Frequent exporter or dealer? Request wholesale France container shipping rates below.

West Coast Shipping

Why Ship Your Car from the USA to France with West Coast Shipping?

Our own team loads every car and handles every document, from US pickup to arrival in Le Havre or Fos-sur-Mer. Your import agent in France clears the car and we can arrange delivery to your door.

Ocean container, RoRo for oversized units, and air
Shared containers split one box between up to 4 cars
US export documents prepared by our own team
Nationwide vehicle pickup from all major US cities
Door to door delivery in France, arranged after release
Duty, VAT and registration steps for France explained before the car sails

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

Our own team loads and secures every car in the container at our warehouses.

Our team files the US export documents and clears the car for export.

In France, your import agent clears the car with French customs and takes delivery at Le Havre or Fos-sur-Mer.

AIRPLANE

Motorcycles fly from New Jersey or California to France for $3,250 in 10-14 days. Cars by air are quoted on request. Documents set the real timeline: US export paperwork takes about 10 days before the flight.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles, running or non-running, and shared containers split the cost. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. RoRo is for oversized vehicles only.

Vehicles

Cars, motorcycles, classics and project cars ship from the USA to France by container, RoRo or air.

Motorcycle

We ship motorcycles from the USA to France in containers, $600 by ocean or $3,250 by air from New Jersey to Le Havre, from pickup to delivery at the French port.

Importing_Electric_and_Hybrid_Vehicles_to_the_U.S._2025_Guide

Electric & Hybrid Cars

EVs and hybrids need extra paperwork. We handle the battery documents for the sailing, and your import agent confirms the French registration steps.

Race & Rally Cars

Race and rally cars ship to France for events and collections, in a dedicated container when the schedule matters.

Classic Cars

Original classics over 30 years old can enter France as collectors' items at 5.5% VAT. We ship them in enclosed containers.

How_Much _Does_It_Cost_to_Import_a_Car_from_the_Netherlands_to_the_US

High-Value Cars

High-value cars ship to France in a dedicated container, so the loading date and the box are yours.

Shipping_Salvage_&_Non_Running_Cars_to_Ghana

Salvage & Project Cars

Salvage, damaged and project cars ship to France in containers, running or not, with the US export documents prepared by our team.

Heavy Machinery

From construction equipment to agricultural machinery, we ship heavy units of all sizes from the USA to France by RoRo.

Oversized Vehicles

If your vehicle exceeds standard dimensions, we can help. Our oversized shipping options cover trucks, vans, large SUVs, motorhomes, and custom-built vehicles going to France.

France Car Shipping Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to France?

Base car shipping costs from the USA to France start at $1,100 from New Jersey to Le Havre in a shared container, $1,225 from Florida and $1,850 from California.

Destination charges at Le Havre are about EUR 950 per car, before duty and VAT.
10% duty, or 0% on US-built cars with proof of origin (EU 2026/1455; customs decides), plus 20% VAT

Additional considerations:

Shared containers split one box between up to 4 cars
We ship door to door, by ocean or air
Optional Cargo Damage Protection covers the car from our warehouse to France

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

Vehicle Collection: Fees vary by pickup location in the USA
Import Duties: EU duty on US-built cars is 0% from July 1 2026 (Regulation (EU) 2026/1455), but the customs office handling the import decides, and it asks for proof of origin, which a new car usually has and a 30-year-old classic rarely does. Otherwise duty is 10%, plus 20% VAT. Original cars over 30 years old can enter as collectors' items (heading 9705) with no duty and 5.5% VAT. For a classic, we would plan on the collectors' route, not on the new 0% rule.
Cargo Protection: optional cover from our warehouse to France

France Car Shipping Ports

Ports & Cities We Serve in France

France: Ports of Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer

Le Havre (north) and Fos-sur-Mer (south) are France’s primary gateways for vehicles arriving from the USA. Both handle containers and RoRo, with onward road links to Paris, Lyon, Marseille and the rest of Europe. From New Jersey, Le Havre is 15-18 days at sea and Fos-sur-Mer 25-29.

We can arrange door delivery from the port after your import agent clears the car: Paris EUR 450 and Lyon EUR 650 from Le Havre, Marseille EUR 150 from Fos-sur-Mer.

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”

Alexander

San Francisco, California

Protect Your Car When Shipping from the USA to France

When you ship a car from the USA to France, most standard auto insurance policies don’t cover damage during international transport. Our optional Cargo Damage Protection helps safeguard your vehicle from the moment it arrives at our US warehouse, through container loading and ocean transit, until it’s unloaded in France. If you choose not to add this coverage, carrier liability is limited to $500 per package under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.

Wholesale Car Shipping to France for Dealers & Importers

We provide high-volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers, and event organizers with car shipping from the USA to France. A few cars a month or full containers, we handle the US side so you can focus on buying and selling.

Door to door shipping from any US address to France
Vehicle pickup and US export documents
Our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey
Vehicle and parts consolidation
Use our carrier bookings or your own
Ability to choose your own import agent when shipping dedicated containers
Air freight for motorcycles, cars on request

RoRo Shipping from the USA to France for Oversized Vehicles and Machinery

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping is designed specifically for oversized vehicles, commercial trucks, and heavy machinery that can be safely driven onto the vessel. While pricing is often similar to container shipping, RoRo is the practical choice for units that exceed standard container dimensions.

If you’re moving a large or heavy vehicle from the USA to France, our RoRo calculator and dedicated RoRo page give a quote for your equipment size and location.

RoRo is ideal for:

Heavy machinery (excavators, loaders, tractors)
Oversized vehicles and commercial trucks
Units that can be driven onto the vessel

Need a RoRo price for your oversized vehicle or machinery?

Visit our RoRo Shipping Calculator or our RoRo Services Page to get a personalized quote instantly.

Required Documents to Ship Cars from the USA to France

Essential Documentation

Original Bill of Lading
Bill of Sale
Original Vehicle Title or Lien Release Letter (if applicable)
Completed Online Shipping Form
Copy of Passport (for international citizens)
EIN Letter (for US citizens)

Vehicle age & import considerations

Vehicles over 30 years old: can enter France as collectors' items (heading 9705) at 5.5% VAT.
Newer vehicles: need a Certificate of Conformity or individual approval before French registration.

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

Base Import Costs

10% duty, or 0% on US-built cars with proof of origin (EU 2026/1455; customs decides)
20% VAT on the customs value (car, shipping and duty)

Additional Fees

Terminal Handling Charge: Varies by port in France
Customs Inspection Fee: If applicable, based on vehicle type and condition

Duty Exemptions

Original collectors' vehicles over 30 years old (heading 9705): no duty and 5.5% VAT
For a classic, we would plan on the collectors' route at 5.5% VAT, not on the new 0% rule

Calculate Cost

Car Shipping Process to France

We take care of pickup, US export documents, container loading and the ocean or air leg. Your import agent in France clears customs. Bought it at a US auction, or at a sale in Europe while the car sits in the US? We pick it up anywhere in the US and ship it door to door to France, by ocean or air. It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.

Typical Transit Times for Car Shipments to France

About 14 days for US export documents and container loading in the USA
15-18 days at sea from New Jersey to Le Havre
24-27 days at sea from Florida to Le Havre
36-42 days at sea from California to Le Havre

Car Shipping Services from the USA to France

Container, RoRo, and Air Freight options
Secure container loading with crating options available
US export documents by our team, French clearance by your import agent
Short-term and long-term secure storage options available

Registering Your Car in France

Importing a car to France requires several key registration steps and documentation to ensure compliance with local laws.

Essential Documentation

Original bill of lading
Bill of sale
Original vehicle title or foreign registration
Customs clearance certificate
Vehicle insurance certificate

Import Car Restrictions

Vehicles over 30 years old: can register as collection vehicles (carte grise de collection) with an FFVE attestation.
Newer vehicles: need a Certificate of Conformity or individual approval before registration.

Vehicles Over 30 Years Old

Original cars over 30 years old can enter as collectors' items (heading 9705), with no duty and 5.5% VAT.

Your import agent or a registration service files the carte grise application through ANTS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping to France

The average cost to ship a car to France from the USA ranges between $1,050 and $1,800 per car.

This port-to-port shipping cost does not include vehicle collection, destination fees, import duties, and cargo damage protection. The most affordable destination port in France for container shipping is Le Havre.

Get an instant rate using our car import calculator.

Vehicles typically take 30 to 45 days to sail from the US to France, depending on the coast they sail from. Cars shipped from our facilities in NJ and FL would arrive faster than cars shipped from our California warehouse. Container loading and customs clearance typically adds about 2 weeks to the process.

Yes, France ranks among the top destinations for classic cars exported from the United States. When importing classic cars over 30 years old to France, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5% instead of the standard 19%. We have extensive experience shipping valuable classic vehicles with the proper care and protection they require.

Required documents include: Original vehicle title, Bill of sale, Power of Attorney form, and a completed Online Shipping Form. International residents must also provide a copy of their passport. US citizens need to provide a copy of their EIN Letter. If there is a lien on the car, a lien release letter is also required.

As of 2024, the import duty on cars to France is 10% plus 19% VAT. However, when importing classic cars over 30 years old, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to only 5.5%. Destination charges are approximately $600 and depend on the receiving import agent in France.

If you are moving to France, you can potentially avoid paying import duties entirely if you meet the following requirements: lived outside the EU for at least the past 12 months, plan to permanently move to France, plan to register the vehicle in your name, owned the vehicle for at least the past 6 months, and will not re-export or sell the vehicle within 12 months. Students are exempt from this form of customs clearance.

To register your newly imported car in France, follow these steps: Obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the car manufacturer, get the car inspected at an approved technical control center, collect necessary documents (proof of identity and address, proof of ownership, CoC, technical inspection report, customs clearance certificate), complete form cerfa n°13750, submit all documents to your local prefecture or online via the ANTS website, pay the registration fee and taxes, and receive your new French registration card (carte grise).

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Car Shipping to France from the USA: Instant Rates

Car Shipping Rates to France

Why Ship Your Car from the USA to France with West Coast Shipping?

Export Locations: USA to France

INTERNATIONAL CAR SHIPPING:

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

SHIPPING CONTAINER

RORO VESSEL

Have Questions?

Schedule a Call with Our Export Team

What Vehicles Can We Ship from the USA to France?

Vehicles

Motorcycle

Electric & Hybrid Cars

Race & Rally Cars

Classic Cars

High-Value Cars

Salvage & Project Cars

Heavy Machinery

Oversized Vehicles

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to France?

Get a France Shipping Quote

SHIPPING TIMES FROM USA

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Ports & Cities We Serve in France

France: Ports of Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer

Le Havre & Fos-sur-Mer (France)

Protect Your Car When Shipping from the USA to France

Wholesale Car Shipping to France for Dealers & Importers

RoRo Shipping from the USA to France for Oversized Vehicles and Machinery

Required Documents to Ship Cars from the USA to France

Dedicated Export Team

The French Car Import Process

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

Car Shipping Process to France

Registering Your Car in France

West Coast Shipping in the News

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping to France

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