importing classics into france
Discussion
hi all, im looking for someone in france to work with me importing classic british sports cars into france and getting french registrations,i have access to many british classics,but im looking for someone to assist me with the french registration side of things. no cash required i provide that lol
just help with reg,and good euros available as reward
pls email englishsportscars@hotmail.com
or leave messages in forum
johny w midlands uk
just help with reg,and good euros available as reward
pls email englishsportscars@hotmail.com
or leave messages in forum
johny w midlands uk
Hi, I do not profess to be an expert, but I think that if you were “selling / exporting” the cars from a UK business, then the new (French) owner of the exported vehicle could more easily register the car in their own name, at their own address.
If you intend to sell them as a (French) trader, once they were exported here, at a registered enterprise, then they would be temporarily registered onto a “W” plate (a bit like our trade plates); and then onto a “WW” plate, when sold, pending the owner getting their own registration, at their address.
The Carte Gris here is proof of ownership at an address, unlike a V5, so you would quickly find yourself into a heap of French Tax & Social security and personally, I would avoid that like the plague, unless your margins were very very high.
If you are importing your personal collection, then it is just a case of getting the right documentation and waiting a long time – a month, or more. Despite some horror stories on this forum, I did not find it difficult; it just takes time for the French administration to do anything and they will not be rushed, or respond positively to any pressure. I took the documentation one month and returned a month later and it was done.
It is also not helped by the fact that they have only just moved-on to a national registration system like the DVLA in Swansea was in the 70s, previously it was done at the local prefecture of the department where you would be resident.
To sum up, I think a future address where the vehicles will be registered is the key starting point.
If you intend to sell them as a (French) trader, once they were exported here, at a registered enterprise, then they would be temporarily registered onto a “W” plate (a bit like our trade plates); and then onto a “WW” plate, when sold, pending the owner getting their own registration, at their address.
The Carte Gris here is proof of ownership at an address, unlike a V5, so you would quickly find yourself into a heap of French Tax & Social security and personally, I would avoid that like the plague, unless your margins were very very high.
If you are importing your personal collection, then it is just a case of getting the right documentation and waiting a long time – a month, or more. Despite some horror stories on this forum, I did not find it difficult; it just takes time for the French administration to do anything and they will not be rushed, or respond positively to any pressure. I took the documentation one month and returned a month later and it was done.
It is also not helped by the fact that they have only just moved-on to a national registration system like the DVLA in Swansea was in the 70s, previously it was done at the local prefecture of the department where you would be resident.
To sum up, I think a future address where the vehicles will be registered is the key starting point.
I understand that you can only import a limited number of vehicles before you have to be a trader. I think it's 2 in 12 months, unless you have had them registered in your name in the domestic market. If you want to sell in France then contact an established dealer or sell direct. Some classic cars are advertised here still on english registrations but I don't know how that works. Can someone clarify that?
I have been resident in France for about 10 months now. I have offically imported two cars (one form Germany and one from UK). Neither were classics, but they were both very straightforward. One thing to be aware of is that the cars are registered in the department (county) that your address is. If you move to another department, then the car must be registered again in that department, and there is a fee of a few hundred to maybe a thousand euros depending on engine size and now also the CO2 emissions nonsense. So unless all the cars are high value where the registration cost is insignifcant, then there is no point in registering until you know which department the buyer is resident in. I have several classics in my barn which have yet to be registered, but I will get around to this next year.
Registering my Brian James tralier which you have to do here, if it is going to be towed behind a french registered and insured car, is a little more complicated. I now know what I need to get it done, and have a tmeporary carte grise the (W registration) referred to by another poster).
On a seperate issue if you need any single cars moving to France, then drop me a PM.
A bientot. BobT
Registering my Brian James tralier which you have to do here, if it is going to be towed behind a french registered and insured car, is a little more complicated. I now know what I need to get it done, and have a tmeporary carte grise the (W registration) referred to by another poster).
On a seperate issue if you need any single cars moving to France, then drop me a PM.
A bientot. BobT
For the OP...
these people are the ones to contact for clssics
these people are the ones to contact for clssics
bobt said:
Thanks for that Potty. I thought that might be the case as from around March this year, the registration number format has changed. They still have the department number on the plate, but it is not part of the matriculation number...........just a bit of local pride!
I've just bought another landcruiser which is on dept 24 plates, does that mean I'll not now be issued with 17's as was the deal in the past?PottyMouth said:
HGL...
The way I understand it is that if you are still using one of the old format plates, you will be given a new-style reg number by the prefecture if/when you move department, which you then keep forever.
PM
It's the car that's changing Dept. not me. Hope they change it as I'm not taken on the new plates, know not why.The way I understand it is that if you are still using one of the old format plates, you will be given a new-style reg number by the prefecture if/when you move department, which you then keep forever.
PM
I'm currently living in Paris and thinking of also importing cars into France and selling them on. I'm not a registered trader..! I've owned classic 911's for the past 10 years or so, so have a pretty good eye for decent ones, and it's these that I'm considering doing as if the car is more than 10 years older the import duty is halved. Potentially looking at bringing LHD cars back from the UK into mainland europe.
Anyone else in France want a business partner in doing this, then drop me an email.
Cheers!
Anyone else in France want a business partner in doing this, then drop me an email.
Cheers!
On a seperate issue if you need any single cars moving to France, then drop me a PM.
A bientot. BobT
[/quote]
Hi Bob. Hope you're well. Picked this up from an old thread so not sure if you're still available to help.
I'm moving to France at the end of Aug and would like to take my 30year old Porsche over. Is it easy to do. Thanks in advance. Steve
A bientot. BobT
[/quote]
Hi Bob. Hope you're well. Picked this up from an old thread so not sure if you're still available to help.
I'm moving to France at the end of Aug and would like to take my 30year old Porsche over. Is it easy to do. Thanks in advance. Steve
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