I know there should be some easy way to do this, but, I want to buy a car in Germany, then export it to France. What do I have to do? And since they are both part of the EU, is there any taxes I should expect to pay?


I can see paying the money, but from then on, do I need to arrange for plates? Plates in France come with the car now instead of always buying new ones. And insurance, can I take insurance in France ahead of the sale of the car, then drive it back to France? Is there any special temporary plates or permits I can get to drive it into France?


I haven't done this before, and have an opportunity to get a vehicle I really want. Any advise at all is very welcome. If it helps to know, the car is going to be coming from the Berlin area.

It's easy between EU nations; yuo have to do about the same thins than you are buying a car in the same nation.
No import duties, only national usual taxes (in Italy, for eg. you have to pay the passing)

http://france.angloinfo.com/transpor...ip/eu-vehicle/

Would I purchase insurance in France to be used to pick the car in Berlin, as if I was picking up in Colmar?

I think it depends by your insurer, I think is better to call him and ask.
This is ridicolous in EU:
Ahahah, I'd start laughing if a car that has passed the check-in Germany did not pass in France.

Nothing is easy in France. But I agree. I have to make an appointment, won't take phone calls. I wish I was importing this to CH. Would be easier on my own experience.

Where is your residence? Because if you live in CH you can drive a german palted car in France without problems.

Do not really know about France, but basically should be something like...

Buying anything inside Eu is internal and no additional payments. Then there is the but, like alcohol and cars in some countries that make exceptions to the rule ...

But generally if there is no import car tax in France, you should have no additional expenses. Insurance also depends. Probably you can get it from your insurance company with VIN. If not you can use the German red (also yellow) plates until you register it in France. Also the inside Eu MFK is valid (Eu-law?) in France also until the max time in France.

I have two places. This vehicle will be for a farm I have in France.

For Eu laws you can't have two residence
What is written on your documents?

I understand. I don't really have two residence. I have my residence here, and a farm there.

Ok, you don't have to import a car in France, you can drive it with german plates; is written in the linked website, if you live for less than six months you haven't to import it

I am under an impression that it does not matter where car owner residence is?
What matters is where the car is registered at(which country's plates it have), which was the case here I suppose?

In that case you will pay
a) import tax- if any
b) yearly taxes
c) minimum mandatory liability insurance (this can also be from any insurance company that insures french cars ...). In theory can also be from Swiss company, well at least an Eu one.