If you would like to know more about shipping a car from the USA to France, you will appreciate this in-depth guide. We will cover:

Departure Ports Across the USA for International Shipping to France

You can choose departure ports across the USA, including: 

Alternatively, we can pick up your vehicle at your doorstep.

Vehicle Import Tax & Duty and Handling Charge

Shipping incurs a 20% Import Tax, 9% VAT, and a handling charge of around $300. Ship Overseas do not collect import duty and must be settled during car pick-up.

POV Transfer Requirements for Military

For military POV transfers, the car must have four wheels or more, be owned or leased by a military member or dependent, be self-propelled and legal on public highways, and include written consent for transport if leased.

Travelers (Temporary Imports)

For EU travelers, temporary imports are allowed for up to six months, requiring an upfront deposit refunded upon departure. EU citizens returning after six months outside the EU can return their cars without paying import fees.

Relocating without Import Fees

EU citizens returning after six months outside the EU can return their cars without paying import fees.

New/Used Car Purchase Requirements

Cars owned for less than a year destined for an EU member country incur a 20% Import Tax and 9% VAT. Salvage titles are accepted with no age restrictions. Import duty for classic cars is 7%, contrasting with 20% for other vehicles.

Classic Car Import Duty

Import duty for classic cars is 7%, contrasting with 20% for other vehicles.

Government Contractors

Government contractors follow a similar procedure as US military active-duty personnel.

Documents Required to Ship Car to France

If you want to ship a car to France, you’ll need to gather the Original Title and Valid Identification.

US Military

A1. If there is a Lien recorded on the vehicle, and you are in the Military, Government, or State service, the Lien Holder must provide permission to export the vehicle, in the form of an Original Letter from the Lienholder. You will also need three certified copies of the Certificate of Title and will have to present your Military orders or a letter from the Government or State authority. Bring a copy of the Title Record History obtainable from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the State in which the vehicle is registered.

EU Citizens

A2. You must provide Everything in (A) The original Certificate of Title of Ownership of the vehicle without a Lien recorded on the Title.

Non-EU Citizens

A3. You will need the following:

Vehicle Registration For Military & Government Contractors

This will be taken care of at the military base. Be sure to speak with your Officer in Charge. You will also get your military tags for your base.

Vehicle Registration For EU Citizens

Now that your car has passed French Customs, it should meet all safety standards. Take your car to the local DMV, bringing your:

Note, Ship Overseas Inc. does not provide any guidance from this step on.

Shipping Methods

This type of shipping is for anything with tires that can Roll-On and Off the ship. These ships are made specifically for vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, as well as motorhomes, campers, trailers, buses, construction vehicles, and boats. Most people use RoRo when shipping one vehicle. The inside of a RoRo ship resembles a big parking garage.

Your car has to be able to make it up and down the ramp without assistance. Once loaded on the RoRo vessel, each vehicle is tied down securely in a designated spot.

Highly efficient and cost-effective, this method provides reliable departure and arrival dates, almost like an airline flight schedule.

RoRo shipping is also the preferred shipping method for new car manufacturers who wish to ship their products. All vehicles are tied to the deck and are not exposed to the ocean. You get peace of mind and additional protection against external elements.

Payment Methods / Options

You only have to come up with payment once your vehicle is at the departure shipping port.

Wire Transfer or Cashier’s Check

This is the most common method of paying for your shipment if you are not in the USA. We will send you our bank information once your order has been placed.

Wire Transfer or Cashier’s Check

This is the most common method of paying for your shipment if you are not in the USA. We will send you our bank information once your order has been placed.

Credit Card & Zelle

If you are paying with Zelle, you don’t have to pay service fees (bank-to-bank transfer).

For credit card payments, you will be charged a 3% service fee.

Canceling Your Order

Need to cancel your order? Email us as soon as possible. Payment will be refunded via the same payment method you chose, less a $300 cancellation fee.

USA Customs Clearance

Ship Overseas, Inc. will clear US Customs for you. While sometimes US Customs agents will look in your trunk, they usually just look through the car’s window and that’s that.