Another import question non EU car non EU location

[willmcc]

So I have an immaculate 2008 s2000 that I've owned from new in Dubai and want to import it to France when we move there in semi retirement, the question is has anyone imported a non EU car from a non EU location?

I've looked at the paperwork online and it appears to be possible but no-one that I have known or talked to has done the non EU non EU double.

The car is not modified and I should be able to get a certificate de conformité from Honda FR but they never imported the S2000 as far as I know and this car has never been to the EU, it is a Gulf spec though that really only means larger radiator and better aircon.

All tricky anyone have any experience of importing a Japanese car from Japan or the US ?

thanks

[willmcc]

thefrog said:

The CoC has to be a european one. There should be a number (Numero de reception) on the CoC which the french authorities (prefecure) will recognise (or their computer will) if it has ever been validated in Europe.

It's likely you'll have to pay €€ for the CoC, so if you just want to enquire, they may be able to give you a CoC without your chassis number/reg printed on it, so it's useless for registration purposes, but you could take it to the prefecture and ask if they recognise the number.

If the answer is yes, pay Honda FR for the full CoC, if no, you'll have to go through the process of homolgating the car as a one off (be prepared for a long wait, thousands of euros and a non-guaranteed result).

I presume you will also have to pay import duty on the car, don't know how much.

There are a few on sale, so it must be possible: http://www.lacentrale.fr/occasion-voiture-modele-h...

Note on gulf spec, besides the changes to air con and cooling, the glass/lights/etc... may not be EU approved, all depends on what safety requirements Dubai puts on the cars.

Which side of the road do you drive on in Dubai ? Likely plan on new headlights unless driving on the right unless you can switch them with a lever (some cars do).

Good luck

Ok thanks for the very comprehensive reply
I guess I'm a little in the dark as to how exactly the COC works, I thought it certified the car was as to EU spec rather than one that had started its life in the EU, or am I still not getting it ? (likely). Does it depend on the chassis number being a EU spec number, probably a lost cause if this is the case.
I will take a look at the lights and seatbelts and see, I know they were imported to Belgium I believe, which is likely the source of most in France since Honda certainly never brought them in officially.

Shame as they are lovely and this one is a cracker,I really fancied blatting around the south west of france in it.

It's LHD

[willmcc]

the lights have several marks in cluding an E13 in a circle, is this likely to be the EU mark? similarly the seatbelt is Aer4mp (E4)

or does it have to be a CE mark in which case back to square 1