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Last reviewed: 19 July 2026 · Read the full France deep-dive guide

Import a Car from France to the UK

EU origin evidence, TCA preference, LHD conversion and DVLA registration

Tax depends on origin proof
Route-based
Nil duty is a claimed preference, not a purchase-country rule
Purchase to UK road legal
2-6 Weeks
LHD cars normally need GB conversion IVA
CoC + check

A car brought from France can qualify for a nil TCA duty rate only when it meets the product-specific EU origin rule and the importer makes a valid claim with acceptable evidence. Import VAT, approval, UK adaptations and registration must still be budgeted for the actual route.

Estimate your import costs from France

Pre-set to the movement from France. Confirm customs origin, evidence, relief and the legal tariff rate before relying on a reduced result, then adjust the value and transport figures to match your import.

UK passenger-car import duty and VAT calculator

Built around separate customs and VAT values, route-specific UK rules, and the official 2026-27 V149 rates. Reliefs and preferential rates are applied only after you confirm the required eligibility and evidence.

1. Import route

“Arriving from” controls Great Britain/Northern Ireland customs rules. “Origin” controls tariff preference: an EU-purchased Japanese-built car is not automatically EU-origin. Some territories have a different customs status from their state, so select the route separately rather than relying on the country name.

2. HMRC value in pounds
Use the invoice/bill of sale and add accessories purchased with the car. If any amount is in foreign currency, convert it using the HMRC customs exchange rate. Do not enter the same freight or handling charge twice.
3. Customs treatment

The country of purchase or export does not prove origin. The car must satisfy the agreement’s product-specific origin rule. Proof-of-origin rules.

4. DVLA registration and vehicle tax

Import tax breakdown

More information required

  • • Enter the HMRC customs value or current vehicle valuation.

DVLA payment

More information required

  • • Enter the date of original registration (box 24) — it decides which tax scheme applies.

HMRC / NOVA

Enter the arrival date

Tell HMRC within 14 days of a permanent arrival. Your agent may make the notification for a shipped car. Check the correct route.

Next step

  • Keep the invoice/valuation, freight invoices, origin evidence and customs declaration.
  • Wait for HMRC confirmation that NOVA is processed and tax is settled.
  • Keep the foreign registration document and obtain approval, MOT or exemption evidence.
  • Use the exact DVLA tax class, list price and approved CO2 figure on the V55 form.
Apply this to my vehicle

This is a planning estimate, not a customs declaration or HMRC decision. Exact liability depends on the accepted customs value, commodity code, non-preferential and preferential origin, evidence and relief approval. A result is intentionally withheld when those facts are unresolved.Rules and linked guidance last reviewed 19 July 2026.

Need the rules behind the estimate? Read the UK car import duty and VAT guide or build a complete logistics budget with the car import cost checklist.

What catches people out importing from France

  • French purchase or registration does not prove EU customs origin; claim TCA preference only with a statement on origin or sufficient importer's-knowledge evidence.
  • A left-hand-drive EU-registered car normally needs suitable UK adaptations and GB conversion IVA as well as an acceptable Certificate of Conformity.
  • Standard Great Britain imports normally attract 20% import VAT even where duty preference is valid; reliefs and Northern Ireland movements can change the result.
  • Keep the original carte grise and resolve any missing CoC, dating or approval evidence before posting the V55/5.

Popular imports from France

RenaultPeugeotCitroënAlpine A110Renaultsport models

Read the complete France import guide

A 14 min read deep dive covering shipping, customs, NOVA, approval, and the V55/5 form step by step — with real cost examples.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay customs duty importing a car from France to the UK?
A nil TCA duty rate is available only when the car meets the product-specific EU origin rule and the importer makes a valid preference claim using a statement on origin or sufficient importer-knowledge evidence. French purchase, registration or a country-of-manufacture entry does not by itself prove eligibility. Standard import VAT normally still applies, subject to route and relief.
Can I drive on French plates in the UK after importing?
No. You can only use an unregistered imported vehicle on UK roads to drive to a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test. For all other use, the car must be registered, taxed, insured, and displaying UK number plates.
Do I need to convert a left-hand drive car to right-hand drive for the UK?
No. Left-hand drive vehicles are fully legal on UK roads. However, you must convert or replace the headlights so the beam pattern doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic, and ensure the speedometer can display mph if the car is under 10 years old.
How much does it cost to import a car from France to the UK?
For a typical €10,000 EU-origin car, expect to pay approximately £2,300-3,200 on top of the purchase price. This includes 20% VAT (~£1,740), transport (£100-200), GB Conversion IVA (£100 for LHD, paperwork only), MOT (£54.85), DVLA registration (£55), and headlight conversion (£100-500).
What is the NOVA 14-day deadline for imported vehicles?
Where notification is required, HMRC must normally be told within 14 days after the vehicle is brought into the UK permanently. A private individual who brings the car in personally should contact HMRC's CARS team; a shipped car can be handled by the agent or CARS team. HMRC says late notification may be fined but does not publish a universal £5-per-day amount on the current vehicle-import page.

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from France, then ask only for the facts needed to confirm your NOVA, approval, MOT, document and V55/5 route.

Apply this to my vehicle →

Primary sources

This guide maps to official GOV.UK guidance. Always check the current source for the latest rules before you submit your V55/5.

v55-5.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA, HMRC, or any government body.