Importing a car from Switzerland to France: the file, step by step
By the VANTAGE editorial team ·
Geneva is twenty minutes from the French border and a full customs frontier away. Moving a vehicle across it permanently is straightforward when the steps are taken in order — and expensive when they are not.
Before you buy
Establish the VAT position and the vehicle's origin status first. A car built in the EU and previously registered there is treated differently from one first registered in Switzerland or imported into Switzerland from outside the EU.
Customs and tax
Clearance produces the customs certificate (form 846A) where duties apply, and the tax office issues the quitus fiscal confirming VAT is settled. Registration cannot proceed without the right document for the right situation.
Conformity
A European certificate of conformity from the manufacturer is the fast route. Without one — common on grey imports and older or modified cars — an individual approval through DREAL is required, and it is what stretches a file from weeks to months.
Plates and registration
Temporary WW plates allow legal use while the file completes, a French contrôle technique is required if the car is over four years old, and the definitive carte grise is issued through the ANTS registration system.
Frequently asked
- How long does a Swiss import take?
- Three to eight weeks with a European certificate of conformity. Files requiring DREAL individual approval routinely take longer.
- Do I pay French VAT on a car bought in Switzerland?
- In most cases yes, on import, along with any applicable customs duty. The exact position depends on the vehicle's origin and history and should be established before purchase.
- Can I drive the car in France while the file is processing?
- Yes, with temporary WW plates and the corresponding insurance.