{"id":994,"date":"2026-05-10T07:27:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T07:27:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/fr\/france-car-export-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T20:15:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:15:28","slug":"france-car-export-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/fr\/france-car-export-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Exporting a Car from France 2026: Carte Grise + Customs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exporting a Car from France 2026: ANTS Cession Declaration, WW Transit Plate and Customs<\/h1>\n
Flyto Relocation Team<\/strong>\u00b7<\/span>Updated May 10, 2026<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>\u2713 Expert team since 2018<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>~2 min read<\/span><\/div>\n
Also available in Fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/div>\n
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Quick answer:<\/strong> Exporting a vehicle from France requires an ANTS cession-for-export declaration, an optional WW transit plate to drive to the destination, and customs formalities only for third countries (UK after Brexit, Switzerland, USA). EU\/EEA moves do not trigger duties but require local re-registration within 30-90 days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Key takeaways<\/h3>\n
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  • ANTS cession<\/strong> for export.<\/li>\n
  • WW transit plate<\/strong> for the road.<\/li>\n
  • EU\/EEA<\/strong>: no duties.<\/li>\n
  • UK Brexit<\/strong>: ~10% duty + 20% VAT.<\/li>\n
  • Re-register<\/strong> within 30-90 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \"Exporting<\/figure>\n
    \n

    Exporting a car from France in 2026: the legal framework<\/h2>\n

    The rules for permanently exporting a vehicle from France are governed by the Code de la Route<\/em>, the Code des Douanes<\/em>, and the European Directive 1999\/37\/EC on registration documents. Since November 2017, all administrative procedures for vehicles have moved to the Agence Nationale des Titres S\u00e9curis\u00e9s<\/em> (ANTS) at ants.gouv.fr<\/em> \u2014 physical prefecture counters no longer accept vehicle files.<\/p>\n

    The 2026 process has three phases: (1) request the certificate of de-registration (certificat de cession pour exportation<\/em>), (2) obtain the temporary export plate (WW garage<\/em> or plaque export<\/em>) if you drive across borders, (3) register the vehicle in the destination country within the legal grace period (typically 30 days for EU\/EEA, 6 months for some destinations).<\/p>\n

    Step 1: De-registration via ANTS<\/h2>\n

    Log into ants.gouv.fr with your FranceConnect<\/em> identity. Select ”Vendre ou donner mon v\u00e9hicule” \u2192 ”Cession \u00e0 l’\u00e9tranger”. Provide: the vehicle’s Certificat d’Immatriculation<\/em> (carte grise) original, your French ID, technical inspection certificate (contr\u00f4le technique<\/em>) less than 6 months old for vehicles over 4 years, proof of foreign residence (registered address abroad), and the vehicle’s Certificat de Conformit\u00e9 Europ\u00e9en<\/em> (CoC) if available.<\/p>\n

    The system generates a Certificat de Cession<\/em> with a unique number and a Code de Cession<\/em> for the buyer or destination country authority. The original carte grise is invalidated digitally \u2014 you can no longer use it on French roads. The whole process is free and takes 1-3 business days for standard files, up to 4 weeks if documents need verification.<\/p>\n

    Step 2: The WW (export) plate<\/h2>\n

    If you intend to drive the vehicle across borders, you need a temporary plate. Two options:<\/p>\n

    Plaque WW garage (”essai”).<\/strong> Issued by the prefecture for short-term use (max 4 months), typically used by garages for test drives. Cost: \u20ac100-150 + insurance. Not always available to private individuals.<\/p>\n

    Plaque export (white plate, red letters).<\/strong> The proper export plate, valid up to 6 months, issued by the customs office (Direction R\u00e9gionale des Douanes<\/em>). Required documents: invalidated carte grise, valid French insurance, proof of destination country, technical inspection. Cost: \u20ac50 for the plate + administrative fee \u20ac30. Insurance during the export period costs \u20ac100-300\/month.<\/p>\n

    If your destination is an EU\/EEA country and the vehicle is registered immediately on arrival, the plaque export is rarely needed \u2014 the local registration plate replaces the French one within days. For non-EU destinations (UK, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia), the plaque export is essential.<\/p>\n

    Step 3: Customs and tax considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Destination<\/th>\nCustoms duty<\/th>\nVAT (TVA)<\/th>\nOther<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    EU\/EEA<\/td>\n0% (free movement)<\/td>\n0% if vehicle >6 months in France with proof of TVA paid<\/td>\nLocal registration tax applies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    UK (post-Brexit)<\/td>\n10% on imported value<\/td>\n20% UK VAT on (value + duty)<\/td>\nPlus IPT and DVLA fee \u00a355<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Switzerland<\/td>\n4% confederation duty<\/td>\n8.1% Swiss VAT<\/td>\nCantonal registration \u20ac300-500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    USA\/Canada<\/td>\n2.5%-6.1% (USA) or 6.1% (Canada)<\/td>\nState sales tax 0-10%<\/td>\nVehicle must comply with FMVSS or CMVSS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    UAE<\/td>\n5% customs<\/td>\n5% VAT<\/td>\nGCC homologation \u20ac1,500-3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Within the EU, the so-called ”used vehicle” rule applies: if you have owned the car more than 6 months and used it in France for personal use, you can move it tax-free to your new EU residence. Outside the EU, the customs and VAT obligations of the destination apply.<\/p>\n

    Special cases: classic cars, leased vehicles, electric vehicles<\/h2>\n

    Classic cars (collection vehicles)<\/h3>\n

    Vehicles over 30 years old with a Carte Grise Collection<\/em> have simplified export rules. They are exempt from technical inspection at export. The CoC is replaced by an attestation from the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Fran\u00e7aise des V\u00e9hicules d’\u00c9poque<\/em> (FFVE). Many destination countries (UK, Switzerland, USA) have reduced import duty for classic vehicles \u2014 verify with destination customs.<\/p>\n

    Leased vehicles (LOA, LLD, cr\u00e9dit-bail)<\/h3>\n

    Leased or financed vehicles cannot be exported without the express written consent of the leasing company (BNP Paribas Personal Finance<\/em>, Cetelem<\/em>, Cofidis<\/em>, Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Auto<\/em>, etc.). Most leasing contracts prohibit residence change without immediate buyout. Budget early termination fees of 10-20% of remaining capital. Some lessors offer pan-European leases that allow cross-border use.<\/p>\n

    Electric vehicles and hybrids<\/h3>\n

    EVs benefit from reduced or zero customs duties in the EU. Outside the EU, separate certifications apply: UK EVA homologation, Swiss type-approval (~\u20ac500), USA FMVSS adaptation (very expensive \u2014 often not viable for non-Tesla vehicles). The bonus \u00e9cologique<\/em> (purchase incentive) does not need to be repaid on export, except if you owned the car for less than 6 months.<\/p>\n

    Practical timeline<\/h2>\n

    Day -60:<\/strong> Verify carte grise is in your name (transfer if not). Schedule contr\u00f4le technique. Request CoC from manufacturer (often free, 5-15 business days). Notify leasing company if applicable.<\/p>\n

    Day -30:<\/strong> Insurance check \u2014 confirm cover during export and first month abroad. Pre-fill ANTS de-registration. Apply for plaque export if needed (4-week processing).<\/p>\n

    Day -14:<\/strong> Submit ANTS file. Receive Certificat de Cession with Code de Cession. Print plate and certificate. Confirm destination registration appointment.<\/p>\n

    Day 0 (move):<\/strong> Affix plaque export (if non-EU). Carry: carte grise (invalidated), Certificat de Cession, CoC, French insurance, French ID, foreign residence proof. Border crossing: declare to customs at exit (mostly automated for EU borders).<\/p>\n

    Day +30:<\/strong> Register in destination country. Pay local registration tax. Obtain destination plates. Confirm French ANTS file is closed (online dashboard).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    FAQ<\/h3>\n
    \nWW plate cost?<\/summary>\n

    Varies by pr\u00e9fecture and validity, typically a few dozen euros.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nInsurance during transit?<\/summary>\n

    Export cover for 30-60 days from your French insurer.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nEU export duties?<\/summary>\n

    None \u2014 but local re-registration must occur within the legal window.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nIs exporting worth it?<\/summary>\n

    Often yes for newer cars, rarely for older ones once duties and re-registration costs apply.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nClassic car?<\/summary>\n

    Special rules apply for vehicles over 30 years old with carte grise de collection.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nCan I drive my car in France with a foreign plate after registering abroad?<\/summary>\n

    Yes, for short visits. As a non-resident with a foreign-plated vehicle, you can drive in France for up to 6 months per calendar year (180 days). Beyond that, you must re-register the vehicle in France. Insurance must remain valid in France (most green cards cover this); always carry the foreign carte grise equivalent.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nHow long does the ANTS export procedure take in 2026?<\/summary>\n

    Standard files: 1-3 business days for the digital Certificat de Cession. Files requiring document verification (e.g., damaged carte grise, missing CoC): up to 4 weeks. The online dashboard shows real-time status. Once issued, the plate becomes invalid in France immediately.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nDo I need a Certificat de Conformit\u00e9 (CoC) for export?<\/summary>\n

    Within the EU\/EEA, the CoC is mandatory for re-registration in the destination country. It is provided by the manufacturer (free for vehicles less than 10 years old, \u20ac100-200 for older vehicles). For non-EU destinations, the CoC is rarely required \u2014 destination homologation rules apply instead.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nWhat happens if I drive the car abroad without de-registering it in France?<\/summary>\n

    It is technically illegal \u2014 the carte grise is bound to French residency. After 30 days in another EU country with the French plate, you breach the local registration rule. Penalties vary: fines \u20ac200-1,500 in most countries, possible vehicle impoundment, retroactive customs charges. Always complete the ANTS de-registration before permanent export.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

    Time the WW plate with the moving truck schedule to avoid uninsured days.<\/p>\n

    Flyto Relocation arranges international vehicle transport. Get a free quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    See also: All France moving guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Need to ship your car or belongings?<\/h3>\n

    Get a personalised quote for your full international move<\/p>\n

    Get free quote \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n