Evidently, the ability to "temporarily" import a vehicle is limited to a six month stay. At least as a general rule in the EU: Car registration and taxes - Your Europe

On a quick search of Service Public, I haven't been able to find the process for a temporary import of a vehicle, but perhaps someone else here will have better luck. (I'm a bit rushed this morning.)
Cheers,
Bev

 

Thanks, Bev. I beleive it was your post from some time ago that suggested you could do this.

I have found this, from the French Embassy's USA site:

III. Special clearance procedure for tourists

If you are a Canadian or US resident and you are visiting the European Union as a tourist, you may temporarily import a private vehicle duty and tax free.

Who qualifies as a tourist under French Customs law?

Anyone who does not stay in the European Union more than 185 days in one calendar year and who does not enter the EU with a view to immigrating or to finding a paid job, even on a short-term basis.

What kind of vehicles may be temporarily imported by tourists?

Tourists are allowed to import the following vehicles (not more than one in each category):

- motorcycle;
- passenger car;
- trailer;
- semi-trailer;
- house trailer;
- motor home.

Tourists may drive with their own Canadian or US license plates and with their own personal driver’s licenses, provided they comply with the driving minimum age requirement in France of 18 and they have a valid insurance. Those vehicles do not have to meet the French safety and environment standards.

What conditions apply to vehicles imported temporarily by tourists?

- they cannot be used by French residents;

- they must be for your personal use and should in no way be sold, rented or otherwise disposed of in France;

- temporary admission is granted for a period of six months starting from your arrival in the EU;

- all such vehicles must be exported when the six-month time limit has expired.

Note: repairs carried out on the vehicle in France are liable to VAT (non-refundable).

Information for private individuals - Importing a Private Vehicle into France from Canada or the U.S. - France in the United States / Embassy of France in Washington, D.C.

To be safe, I have sent an inquiry to the Service des Douanes via their website asking for the specific regulations. I'll post when (and if) I hear back from them.


David

 

If you're not changing the plates or anything, it is not import/export as such is it, it is simply bringing your car on holiday with you. Import/export implies changing the vehicle's paperwork - exporting it out of one country's national registration system and importing it into another's - which you will not be doing. For a 6 month temporary stay the rule is that the vehicle must remain road legal in its country of registration. AFAIK there is no third way, either you export/import or you don't.

I seem to remember from previous threads that the problem for Americans is insurance, because apparently it's difficult finding a US car insurer who will cover driving in Europe, and French insurers won't normally touch a US registered car, so you have to try and find a specialist insurance broker. I don't remember anyone posting that they found a solution they were happy with.

But you do very occasionally see Yank cars in France so I guess it must be possible.

 

If you're not changing the plates or anything, it is not import/export as such is it, it is simply bringing your car on holiday with you. Import/export implies changing the vehicle's paperwork - exporting it out of one country's national registration system and importing it into another's - which you will not be doing.

Well, yes, but if you're not driving it here--which is hard to do from the States!--you still have to clear Douanes!

And it looks like GEICO in the US and Clements in the UK both offer international car insurance for expats.

 

As long as you found that on a current French consulate website. (Things do change here.) But the 185 days limitation does go along with the EU website information that says six months only. If you're planning on being in France for a year, you're going to have to make a few decisions.

As ET says, too, insurance is the big hassle for most folks. I see fewer and fewer cars driving around on US plates these days. Not sure if that's a sign of reduced US "presence" here, or difficulties in obtaining the necessary insurance or something about better enforcement of the laws.

Do let us know what you find out.
Cheers,
Bev

 

Have you considered long term leasing from Peugeot/Citroen/Renault.These companies offer long term leasing for non EU residents VAT free with insurance maintenance etc all included.
I do not know how you will get your car over here or the costs of it but is the car the type of model where spare parts will be easily available in Europe and will mechanics be happy to work on it?

 

Have you considered long term leasing from Peugeot/Citroen/Renault.These companies offer long term leasing for non EU residents VAT free with insurance maintenance etc all included.

Yes, have done the Peugeot Open Europe thing several times on shorter stays. Again, maximum duration is 175 days per their website. Currently quoting USD3,319.97 for six months, which isn't bad. Might be able to do two back-to-back, with one in my wife's name. . .

I do not know how you will get your car over here or the costs of it but is the car the type of model where spare parts will be easily available in Europe and will mechanics be happy to work on it?

The car is an Audi A3, so service shouldn't be a problem unless it needs US-specific parts, but the car is relatively new (2013) with not many miles on it.