Importing a car from China to France
Everything for this route: what France charges, how the car gets there and what to arrange in China — with the calculator preset for this route.
Taxes
Registration & paperwork
Not included: insurance, the quitus fiscal (free, at your service des impôts) and adaptations for non-EU cars.
Registration tax by CO₂ band
| CO₂ g/km | General | Canarias | Increased* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 120 | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % |
| 121 – 159 | 4,75 % | 3,75 % | 4,75 % |
| 160 – 199 | 9,75 % | 8,75 % | 9,75 % |
| ≥ 200 | 14,75 % | 13,75 % | 15 – 16 % |
* Asturias, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia: 16 %; Cantabria 15 %; Murcia 15.9 %. Ceuta and Melilla: 0 % in every band.
Hacienda depreciation table (Orden HAC/1501/2025)
| Age | Value | Age | Value |
|---|
Transport from China to France
Indicative costs and durations for the usual ways to move a car on this route. Enter a real quote in the calculator for your own figure.
| Option | Cost | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo ship (drive on, drive off) | €1,500–€2,600 | 35–45 days | Shanghai → Le Havre |
| Container ship | €1,800–€3,000 | 35–50 days | Shanghai → Marseille |
Worked examples: China → France
Two typical cars, calculated with this tool for a purchase in China. Change any detail in the calculator above to see your own figure.
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI (petrol), 2023, 60,000 km, 125 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: €22,000 · Transport (indicative): €1,500–€2,600
| Customs duty | €2,405 |
| VAT (import) | €5,291 |
| Malus écologique (CO₂) | €378 |
| Malus au poids | €0 |
| Carte grise (taxe régionale + fixed fees) | €398 |
| Contrôle technique | €90 |
| Réception à titre isolé (RTI) at the DREAL | €900 |
| ANTS registration & plates | €30 |
| Number plates | €0 |
Taxes & fees on top: €9,492
BMW X5 xDrive30d (diesel), 2021, 90,000 km, 185 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: €48,000 · Transport (indicative): €1,500–€2,600
| Customs duty | €5,005 |
| VAT (import) | €11,011 |
| Malus écologique (CO₂) | €30,623 |
| Malus au poids | €7,000 |
| Carte grise (taxe régionale + fixed fees) | €893 |
| Contrôle technique | €90 |
| Réception à titre isolé (RTI) at the DREAL | €900 |
| ANTS registration & plates | €30 |
| Number plates | €0 |
Taxes & fees on top: €55,552
Taxes and fees in France for a car from China
Outside the EU: customs value = price + transport + insurance; 10 % duty and 20 % VAT on top, plus malus and carte grise on registration.
Buying the car in China
China now exports electric cars in volume, and buyers import Chinese EVs and MPVs that are not officially sold in Europe. Only new or nearly new cars are practical: Chinese used cars need an export licence from a registered exporter, and the CoC-style documents must be arranged for EU individual approval.
Shipping is from Shanghai, Tianjin or Ningbo by RoRo or container. There is no trade agreement with the EU, so 10 % duty and VAT apply — and for electric cars the EU's additional countervailing duties (2024) apply on top, depending on the manufacturer. Check the current rate before buying.
Documents to collect in China
- Export licence and customs declaration from the exporter
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Certificate of conformity / technical file for individual approval
- Bill of lading
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to transport a car from China to France?
RoRo ship (drive on, drive off): 35–45 days (Shanghai → Le Havre) · Container ship: 35–50 days (Shanghai → Marseille)
Do I pay customs duty or VAT when importing a car from China to France?
Outside the EU: customs value = price + transport + insurance; 10 % duty and 20 % VAT on top, plus malus and carte grise on registration.
What does it cost to import a car from China to France?
For a 3-year-old Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI the taxes and fees in France come to about €9,492; for a 5-year-old BMW X5 xDrive30d about €55,552 — transport from China not included. Calculated with this tool; the calculator above gives the figure for your own car.
Import into France from another country
Import from China to another country
These guides describe the usual procedure as of September 2026 and are indicative. Rules, fees and deadlines change and vary by region and office; carimportcalculator.com accepts no liability for decisions based on them. Confirm the steps with the authority named in each guide or a licensed agent before you buy.