How to Import a Car from the United States

“On this page you will find a summary of the information necessary to determine whether you should import, and how to import, a modern or classic car from the United States.”

Two distinct scenarios: +30 years / –30 years with RTI

I — CASE No. 1: VEHICLE OVER 30 YEARS OLD

👉 Objective: registration as a “collector vehicle”

This is the most favorable, flexible, and rational case for importing a car from the USA.

1️⃣ What “collector vehicle” status allows

A vehicle over 30 years old may benefit from:

▪ a collector vehicle registration certificate

▪ a simplified technical inspection (every 5 years if built ≥ 1960)

▪ a simplified registration procedure

▪ often lighter customs taxation (subject to approval by customs)

▪ exemption from full European type approval

⚠️ Attention:

Over 30 years ≠ automatic collector status

➡️ the vehicle must be broadly original (no major structural modifications).

2️⃣ Possible routes for a vehicle over 30 years old

ROUTE A — Importing it yourself (full autonomy)

Detailed steps

1. Purchase in the USA

Essential documents:

▪ Title (certificate of ownership)

▪ Bill of Sale

▪ Consistent VIN

▪ ideally: a pre-purchase inspection (PPI)

⚠️ Absolutely avoid:

▪ salvage / rebuilt titles

▪ VIN inconsistencies

▪ heavily modified vehicles

2. Export from the USA

▪ inland transport to port

▪ US export clearance

▪ RoRo or container shipping

▪ transport insurance

3. Customs clearance in France

Upon arrival:

▪ customs declaration

▪ payment of duties and taxes

▪ obtaining the customs clearance certificate (846A)

👉 essential document for the next steps

4. FFVE certificate

You put together a file:

▪ photos of the vehicle

▪ Title + Bill of Sale

▪ technical description

▪ proof of age

➡️ the FFVE issues an identification certificate as a “collector vehicle”

5. Technical inspection

▪ required if built ≥ 1960

▪ interval: every 5 years

6. ANTS registration

You provide:

▪ customs clearance certificate (846A)

▪ FFVE certificate

▪ technical inspection

▪ proof of identity / address

➡️ collector vehicle registration certificate

ROUTE B — Import with a freight forwarder / customs broker

Same logic as Route A, but:

▪ the forwarder handles:

▪ transport

▪ customs

▪ port documentation

Less stress

Additional cost

ROUTE C — “Turnkey” import via a US car specialist

The service provider:

▪ finds the car

▪ inspects it

▪ imports it

▪ clears customs

▪ prepares the FFVE file

▪ sometimes handles registration

⚠️ Points to watch:

▪ fee transparency

▪ existence of a real mandate

▪ proof of genuine inspections in the USA

ROUTE D — Buying a car already imported into France

▪ existing French registration

▪ sometimes already registered as a collector vehicle

Minimal risk

Higher price

MY OPINION FOR 30+ YEAR VEHICLES

👉 This is the ideal route for importing a US car.

The best compromise:

▪ a vehicle clearly eligible for collector status

▪ a serious freight forwarder

▪ a clean FFVE file

No RTI, no heavy homologation, no administrative dead ends.

II — CASE No. 2: VEHICLE UNDER 30 YEARS OLD

👉 Objective: standard registration with RTI (Single Vehicle Approval)

This route is far more complex, longer, more expensive, and riskier.

1️⃣ What this necessarily involves

For a US vehicle under 30 years old:

▪ no FFVE

▪ no collector vehicle registration

▪ mandatory RTI (DREAL / DRIEAT)

▪ European compliance modifications

▪ strict technical inspection

▪ sometimes UTAC testing

2️⃣ Possible routes for under-30 vehicles with RTI

ROUTE A — Importing it yourself + RTI

Full process

1. Purchase in the USA

Same as for 30+ vehicles, but:

▪ prioritize a non-exotic model

▪ avoid very rare engines

▪ avoid modifications

2. Transport & customs clearance

Identical steps:

▪ transport

▪ customs

▪ obtaining the 846A certificate

3. European compliance

Very often required:

▪ EU-compliant headlights

▪ amber turn signals

▪ rear fog light

▪ approved seat belts

▪ emissions compliance

▪ noise compliance

▪ sometimes ABS / airbags depending on the year

👉 all at your expense

4. RTI (DREAL / DRIEAT)

Heavy administrative file:

▪ manufacturer technical data sheet (often hard to obtain)

▪ compliance reports

▪ proof of modifications

▪ sometimes UTAC testing

⏳ Timeframe: several months

💰 Cost: sometimes several thousand euros

5. Technical inspection

Standard technical inspection (every 2 years)

6. ANTS registration

With:

▪ customs clearance certificate (846A)

▪ RTI approval report

▪ technical inspection

▪ tax clearance certificate (quitus fiscal)

ROUTE B — Buying in Europe a model already EU-homologated

Example:

▪ Mustang officially sold in Europe

▪ identical model in EU-spec version

RTI can sometimes be avoided

Limited market

ROUTE C — “Turnkey” importer with RTI included

The service provider:

▪ knows the DREAL requirements

▪ understands what will pass / not pass

▪ absorbs the risk

⚠️ very expensive

⚠️ heavily dependent on the seriousness of the provider

MY OPINION FOR UNDER-30 VEHICLES WITH RTI

👉 This is a route I generally do not recommend, except in very specific cases.

Consider it only if:

▪ the model is unavailable in Europe

▪ the vehicle has high value

▪ you have a comfortable budget

▪ you accept the administrative risk

Otherwise:

➡️ buy a vehicle already EU-homologated

➡️ wait until the vehicle turns 30 years old