Car Import UK to France
Discussion
I'm aware of a few issues in the Alpes Maritimes, apparently the Douanes there are insisting on using a panel of experts of their selection to give their value for the car. Otherwise most areas seem to be accepting a bill of sale etc as a value.
Specifically for imports of vdc's the Douanes website states that they can use any of the below to arrive at a valuation
- either by an expert appraisal ;
- or by reference to the Argus quotation, to which a discount of 15% is applied;
- or by reference to the highest quotation (in the "+" column) in the specialist magazines "Rétroviseur" and "Autoretro", to which a discount of 15% is applied.
- or by reference to the price obtained at an auction of the imported vehicle held after customs clearance.
https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/determination-de-...
Specifically for imports of vdc's the Douanes website states that they can use any of the below to arrive at a valuation
- either by an expert appraisal ;
- or by reference to the Argus quotation, to which a discount of 15% is applied;
- or by reference to the highest quotation (in the "+" column) in the specialist magazines "Rétroviseur" and "Autoretro", to which a discount of 15% is applied.
- or by reference to the price obtained at an auction of the imported vehicle held after customs clearance.
https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/determination-de-...
I've posted the process elsewhere but I'm struggling to find it.
The instructions from the Douanes were:
You will find the regulations applicable to removals using the following link:
https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/transferring-your...
Please send me by e-mail (scan PDF, not photos with smartphones):
- Copy of the Cerfa form 10070 ( stamped by French customs when you crossed the boarder)
- Copy of the listing of all the goods you have transferred (stamped by French customs when you crossed the boarder).
- If your goods were transported by a professional, copy of the import customs declaration.
- Copy of the V5C for the vehicle (registration certificate pages 1 and 2)
- Copy of the purchase receipt when you bought the car
- Copy of any document proving that you have lived at least one year outside UE (P60 or any documents from english authorities as HMRC or Home Office).
- Copy of your passport and the French visa for your entry
- Copy of any documents proving that you are moving to France (change of residence certificate, transfer order for French civil servants and members of the military, residency card, immigration card, etc.)
- If you have already asked for a "carte de séjour" and if you haven't got it yet, copy of a residence permit application certificate (if you have already got the "carte de séjour", copy of it).
This was then followed by the request for a suitably qualified expert to assess the vehicle and attest that the major components were as built - bodywork, suspension, brakes, transmission, engine etc. This also includes a valuation.
Finding these people is fairly straight forward, we rang the various classic car clubs in the area and they all pointed towards a local chap. He was knowledgeable and sensible. We were importing as part of a major house move and so eventually the Douane accepted that the reduced import duty was not sue, otherwise it is 5.5% of the valuation.
Not the easiest of processes and if modified probably not possible.......
The instructions from the Douanes were:
You will find the regulations applicable to removals using the following link:
https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/transferring-your...
Please send me by e-mail (scan PDF, not photos with smartphones):
- Copy of the Cerfa form 10070 ( stamped by French customs when you crossed the boarder)
- Copy of the listing of all the goods you have transferred (stamped by French customs when you crossed the boarder).
- If your goods were transported by a professional, copy of the import customs declaration.
- Copy of the V5C for the vehicle (registration certificate pages 1 and 2)
- Copy of the purchase receipt when you bought the car
- Copy of any document proving that you have lived at least one year outside UE (P60 or any documents from english authorities as HMRC or Home Office).
- Copy of your passport and the French visa for your entry
- Copy of any documents proving that you are moving to France (change of residence certificate, transfer order for French civil servants and members of the military, residency card, immigration card, etc.)
- If you have already asked for a "carte de séjour" and if you haven't got it yet, copy of a residence permit application certificate (if you have already got the "carte de séjour", copy of it).
This was then followed by the request for a suitably qualified expert to assess the vehicle and attest that the major components were as built - bodywork, suspension, brakes, transmission, engine etc. This also includes a valuation.
Finding these people is fairly straight forward, we rang the various classic car clubs in the area and they all pointed towards a local chap. He was knowledgeable and sensible. We were importing as part of a major house move and so eventually the Douane accepted that the reduced import duty was not sue, otherwise it is 5.5% of the valuation.
Not the easiest of processes and if modified probably not possible.......
I imported my Citroen as I had already 'invested' a lot of time and money into it. There is a viable US import market (depending on what you are looking for), just need to be aware of the potential pitfalls.
The kicker is that the vehicle has to be largely 'standard' to meet the requirements, so that rules out any significantly modified vehicle. With TVA being applicable on th eimport, unless the importation is aligned with a house move, the car has to be 'worth it' or pretty cheap. Given the cost of cars in France this can still work - but needs care.
The kicker is that the vehicle has to be largely 'standard' to meet the requirements, so that rules out any significantly modified vehicle. With TVA being applicable on th eimport, unless the importation is aligned with a house move, the car has to be 'worth it' or pretty cheap. Given the cost of cars in France this can still work - but needs care.
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