Import a car from Belgium to France

The Belgian market

Belgium offers a rich market, above all in Brussels and Flanders. The main platforms are AutoScout24.be and 2dehands.be. The shared language (French in the south) makes negotiating easier.

Belgian cars are often well maintained, and the DIV system (Direction de l'Immatriculation des Véhicules, the Belgian vehicle registration authority) provides a reliable history.

Transport: the border advantage

Transport from Belgium is the cheapest of all the import countries: allow €200 to €500 depending on the distance. For those living near the border, simply driving the car back can be enough (with transit plates).

Because Belgium borders France, the return trip is short (1 to 2 hours from Brussels). That is a considerable advantage over Germany (4 to 6 hours) or Spain (8 to 10 hours).

Paperwork specific to Belgium

The Belgian registration system (DIV) is different from the German one. The Belgian transfer certificate (attestation de cession) is needed for the quitus fiscal (the French tax clearance certificate) in France.

Unlike Germany, Belgium has no equivalent of the TÜV (the German technical inspection body). The Belgian roadworthiness test (CCT, contrôle technique automobile) is valid for 1 year on vehicles more than 4 years old.

• Ask the seller for the DIV transfer certificate
• Check the service history (often well documented in Belgium)
• Keep the purchase invoice and the transfer certificate
• Have the Belgian roadworthiness test done if needed (for vehicles more than 4 years old)

Comparison with importing from Germany

Belgium often has slightly lower prices than Germany on French and Belgian marques (Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Volvo). Transport is cheaper and the journey shorter.

The choice is more limited than on the German market, however, and some premium marques (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) are often dearer in Belgium than in Germany.

The best choice depends on the model you are after: for a Renault or a Citroën, Belgium is often the better bet. For a BMW or a Mercedes, Germany remains the best market.

Full cost of a Belgian import

The landed cost in France of a Belgian import breaks down as follows:

• Purchase price of the vehicle (negotiable on AutoScout24.be)
• Transport: €200 to €500 (transporter or driving it back)
• Transit plates: €100 to €200 (if driving back from Belgium)
• COC (certificate of conformity): €50 to €200 (depending on the marque)
• Roadworthiness test: €80 to €150 (if the vehicle is more than 4 years old)
• Quitus fiscal: free (but allow 2 to 4 weeks)
• Carte grise (the French vehicle registration document): variable, according to region and fiscal horsepower