Verification level: General knowledge — review recommended before relying on it
France
EU member — no age cap, but type-approval and a European certificate of conformity are the main obstacle.
Driving side
Left-hand drive (LHD)
Max vehicle age
There is no import age cap, but a car imported from outside the EU needs proof of European conformity before registration — which is harder for a car built for the Korean domestic market.
Customs & duty
varies — confirm with your customs broker
Emission standard
varies — confirm with your customs broker
VIN re-carving
VIN re-carving is prohibited.
Required documents
- Commercial export invoice
- Bill of lading (B/L)
- Certificate of origin
- Vehicle inspection / diagnosis report (Encar)
- Buyer passport / ID
Primary ports of entry
Le HavreMarseilleFos-sur-Mer
Important notes
- Registration in France requires a European certificate of conformity (COC). A Korean domestic car often has none, which forces the individual approval route via DREAL — expensive and slow; confirm it is viable before buying.
- Budget for: EU import duty at entry, French VAT, then registration (carte grise) fees and the CO₂ emissions tax (malus), which can be very high on larger cars.
- The malus is calculated on CO₂ emissions and can run to several thousand euros on a powerful car — check it before choosing the model, not after shipping.
This information is for general guidance and may change. Always confirm the latest rules with your local customs broker before buying or shipping.