Importing a Foreign Vehicle & Getting French Registration
Pre-Purchase Checks
☐Verify the vehicle meets French standards (Euro emission norms, headlights, speedometer in km/h)
☐Check the 17-character VIN number — must match all documents
☐Obtain a vehicle history report (Carfax, AutoCheck, or Histovec for EU vehicles)
☐Verify the vehicle has no outstanding finance or theft record in the country of origin
☐Check first registration date and mileage
Documents to Obtain in the Country of Origin
☐Original title of ownership / foreign registration certificate
☐Purchase invoice showing the price in euros or with certified conversion
☐Sworn translation of documents if not in an EU language
☐For non-EU vehicles: proof of customs clearance (customs declaration / DAU)
Customs Clearance (Non-EU Vehicles Only)
☐Present to French customs with invoice and foreign title
☐Pay customs duty (6.5% for passenger vehicles + VAT if new vehicle)
☐Obtain the Document Administratif Unique (DAU)
Quitus Fiscal (Tax Clearance Certificate)
☐New EU vehicle (< 6 months or < 6,000 km): declare and pay French VAT (20%) at the tax office to obtain the quitus fiscal
☐Second-hand EU vehicle: complete the online DES declaration — no VAT or quitus required
☐Non-EU vehicle: compile file for DVNI (Direction des Vérifications Nationales et Internationales)
☐Submit the DVNI file and wait for the quitus fiscal
European Certificate of Conformity (COC)
☐Contact the manufacturer or official importer in France with the VIN number
☐Order the COC
☐If COC unavailable (brand not on French market): plan for a Réception à Titre Isolé (RTI)
Réception à Titre Isolé (RTI) — if COC Impossible
☐Submit the RTI file to the DREAL of your region
☐Provide: VIN, photos of all sides of the vehicle, original documents, technical expert report
☐Have the vehicle inspected by an approved expert (at your expense)
☐Pay the RTI filing fee (varies by DREAL)
☐Wait for the homologation decision
Roadworthiness Test (Contrôle Technique)
☐Book a contrôle technique if the vehicle is over 4 years old
☐Obtain a favourable result (no critical or major defects)
☐Keep the procès-verbal (test certificate) — required for ANTS registration
Insurance
☐Take out French insurance before driving on any public road
Registration on ANTS
☐Log in to ants.gouv.fr →
☐Upload: quitus fiscal (or DES declaration), COC or RTI decision
☐Upload: contrôle technique certificate, proof of insurance
☐Upload: ID, proof of French address, Cerfa form 13750*03
☐Pay the regional tax (varies by region and horsepower) + forwarding fee (2.76€)
☐Receive the Certificat d'Immatriculation Provisoire (CIP) — valid for 1 month
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