Are there exemptions for customs duties when importing a car to France from outside the EU?

Reader Question: I think that I read that the 10% customs duty on importing vehicles from outside the EU is scrapped for cars at least 10 years old? Is this true? 

Cars imported to France from outside the EU generally face both a VAT charge of 20% and a customs duty charge of 10%.

The main exemption from these is if you are moving the vehicle as part of a relocation of your main residence to France. 

In the case of importing a car from the UK, due to the UK/EU trade and cooperation agreement, you may still be exempt from customs duties (but not VAT) in other situations if you have documentation from the manufacturer proving that at least 55% of the materials used to produce the car had a UK or EU origin. 

There is no general exemption for older cars, and it may be harder to prove the origin of materials for these.

One exception exists however, in that imported ‘classic cars’ generally receive an exemption on customs duties as well as a VAT reduction to 5.5%. 

For a vehicle to be classified as such, it needs to be approved by the French classic cars federation (FFVE), but it must usually be in its original technical condition and be at least 30 years old. 

Full costs are calculated by French customs (Douanes) based on the make and model of the car. 

In short, no, there is no general exemption for older cars and it is often cheaper to purchase a vehicle in France than import one.