Importing a car from the USA to France: duty, VAT, CO2 malus and weight malus

To import a US auction car into France, budget for auction cost, shipping, EU duty, 20% French import VAT, customs handling, technical approval, registration and potentially very large CO2 and weight malus. France is the route where emissions and mass can decide whether a car is financially sensible.

Quick answer: what can make France expensive?

The border taxes are predictable: customs value, 10% planning duty for passenger cars and 20% VAT. The uncertain part is registration. Service-Public explains that France can charge a CO2 malus and a mass-in-running-order malus when a passenger vehicle is first registered in France.

1. Before bidding: verify emissions and mass

Do not bid on a French route without checking CO2, mass in running order, first registration date and vehicle category. For imported used vehicles, the applicable malus can depend on the table linked to the vehicle's first registration and on reductions for age. If CO2 or mass is missing, the estimate is incomplete.

2. Customs value, duty and VAT

The import calculation starts with purchase price, buyer fees, freight and insurance to the EU entry point. The calculator uses 10% duty for passenger cars as a planning rate and 20% French import VAT. Keep the invoice, payment proof, title/export documents, bill of lading and shipping invoice.

3. CO2 malus

The French CO2 malus applies at first registration as a passenger vehicle in France. For vehicles with EU type approval, the calculation normally relies on official CO2 values. For some vehicles without the relevant data, administrative horsepower can matter. E85, large-family and specific legal reductions may exist, but should not be assumed without eligibility.

4. Weight malus

France also applies a tax on mass in running order. Service-Public indicates mass is shown in field G of the registration certificate. The combined CO2 and mass malus is capped by the maximum CO2 malus; in 2026 Service-Public references an 80,000 euro maximum CO2 malus cap.

5. Imported used vehicle reductions

Service-Public describes reductions for imported used vehicles based on age since first registration. This matters for US auction cars, but the reduction must be calculated from the correct date and table. Enter a local tax reduction in the calculator only when you have an official or broker-confirmed basis.

6. Technical approval and registration

A US-market car may need DREAL/UTAC-related steps, conformity evidence, lighting changes, emissions documentation, noise checks or individual approval before registration. Salvage history and missing documentation can cause delay or refusal.

7. How to use Vehistra

Select France, enter auction and logistics costs, then add official CO2, mass in running order and first registration year. Add compliance, registration, repairs and risk buffer separately. If CO2 or mass is unknown, treat the output as a minimum planning number.

8. Client checklist

Before payment, confirm CO2 source, field G mass, first registration date, category, fuel type, title/export documents, broker view on malus, technical approval path, repair estimate, storage risk and whether the final registration cost still fits your target budget.