martyng Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I have a small problem coming up. I am about to purchase a new LHD car from Citroen UK (good deals currently and cheaper than new in France) but delivery will be about 4 months i.e. could be September. We are moving to France at last for good at the beginning of July which means in the mean time carrying on with the old car (UK reg). I cannot work out from the various comments on the forum etc whether you have one month or three months before requiring to register your car in France. Can some kind person please enlighten me with the proper time scale - and any advice on what to do in this interim? It could be 2 months while I am resident in the country, but unwilling (?) to register my current UK car for that short time before part-exchanging it for the new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 If you are French resident it is one month from the date you became so, effectively that is when you moved with the intention of living here.The 3 months you sometimes hear quoted is a nominal period that you may need/take if you have to go through the DRIRE with a non homologated vehicle. Technically you shouldn't really be driving it beyond the 1 month but if you are actively in process you should be OK.In all other case the maximum period is six months before registration is required or the vehicle is removed from the country.EDIT: Certain exceptions can apply in the case of bone fide students and one or two other categories of visitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 You will also have to pay the French VAT at 19.6% and reclaim the UK tax (15%) if you import a nearly new vehicle into France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Sorry, I must have missed that part of the OP's question [Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 MartyngBe sure to order your new Citroen VAT free for export. The dealer will organise everything for you including the VAT forms and export registration. Then when you bring the car to France, you visit your local tax office and pay the French TVA. They will issue you with a Customs certificate permitting you to drive the car here for a month on its UK export plates whilst you complete the registration formalities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyng Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Many thanks to all for their (as usual) succint and helpful comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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