Shipping a Car from the U.S. to France: Costs, Methods, and Hidden Fees (2024)
Two Main Methods
| Method | How It Works | Typical Cost (Port-to-Port) | Pros / Cons |
|---|
| RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) | Car driven onto specialized deck; secured; driven off at destination. | $1,500–$3,000 | Cheaper, faster loading. Exposed to elements; no personal items inside. |
| Container (20/40 ft) | Car loaded, braced inside sealed container; can include household goods. | $2,500–$5,000 | Protected, allows belongings. Costlier; needs crane/forklift at both ends. |
Major U.S. Departure Ports
- East Coast: Baltimore, New York/New Jersey, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville.
- Gulf: Houston, Galveston, New Orleans.
- West Coast: Long Beach, Oakland (transit via Panama Canal + Atlantic).
French Arrival Ports
- Le Havre (most common for RORO), Fos-sur-Mer (Marseille), Dunkerque, Bordeaux.
Mandatory Extra Costs
- French VAT (20%) on vehicle value + shipping + insurance (unless temporary import).
- Customs duty: 10% (cars >30 yrs old may qualify for 5.5% collector rate).
- Homologation (UTAC) — €1,500–3,000 for non-EU spec (lights, emissions, glass).
- Port handling / agent fees: €300–800.
- Marine insurance: 1.5–2.5% of declared value.
- Transport to final destination: €300–1,000.
Total Landed Cost Example
$35,000 car → RORO $2,000 + insurance $700 + VAT $7,540 + duty $3,500 + homologation $2,500 + handling $500 + inland $500 = ~$49,740 (≈€46K).
Timeline
- Booking → loading: 2–4 weeks.
- Transit: 14–25 days (Atlantic).
- Clearance + homologation: 4–8 weeks.
Tip: Hire a licensed customs broker (transitaire) in France before shipping.
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