Hello everyone,
I’m new here and looking forward to your tips and advice!
This summer, I’m moving from Switzerland to France. I’ve lived my whole life in Switzerland, and I’ve recently bought a house in France, which will become my new primary residence.
My question is about household goods and personal belongings. I have a large amount of tools and several machines that I use exclusively for my hobbies (car repairs, metalworking, woodworking, etc.). I’d like to bring these with me duty-free.
I know that furniture and personal items are usually not a problem, but what about things that could be seen as equipment for professional use?
I work in the IT sector and can provide a work contract to prove my profession.
Has anyone here gone through a similar move and has experience with this?
I’m a bit nervous about dealing with French customs.
My inventory list is already in the works.
Thank you all for your advice and for sharing your experiences!
First of all, welcome to Survive France!
I have no specific knowledge of the laws governing this, but most customs people in France seem to have a good attitude, and it is unlikely they would question your personal belongings. However if they ask why you have, for example, a four post hydraulic vehicle lift on your inventory, explain your car restoration hobby and show them proof of your actual job in IT and you should be ok.
But as I say, this is speculation on my part. I hope someone will be along soon quoting relevant rules and regulations.
Welcome to SF.
Are there restrictions around car restoration of the type you wish to do in France? This area seems to have surprisingly restrictive regulations that go beyond normal caution.
I doubt it as my neighbour is always repairing vehicles of all shapes and sizes as he is a welder but also fabricates panels etc.
Stuff I’ve read on here suggests there are regulations restricting restoration of old vehicles with non-period standard parts, for example. If I had precise details then I might include the information rather than suggest the op researches themselves.
The main issue might be to do with FFVE tightening their rules when issuing Certificates of Authenticity to people wanting to register a car as a Vehicule de Collection which in many cases is a basic requirement for an initial registration. There are also much tighter regulations regarding the rebuilding of written off vehicles than there is in the U.K., that work can only be carried out by registered professionals.
That doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of scope for home mechanics. There are usually plenty of body panels and mechanical parts for French classics at our local brocantes. Knowing people with the means and talent to do a bit of welding, a lathe or even taps and dies is always useful.
When people say “restoration” usually they mean, restoring it to its original condition as faithfully as possible.
“Modifications” ie replacing original by upgraded or modern components (LED lighting, bigger engine etc) are what France is cautious about.
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I don’t really want to do car restoration. It’s more about repair work and maintenance I do on my own cars. That’s why I have some tools and machines which I would like to bring to France. I like to work with metal and in the past I built some furnitures for myself out of metal.
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Grüezi,
Some years a go I moved from CH. I dont think you will have any issues, but I would discuss with the customs clearing agent of the removal company you are using. If you are self moving I would suggest you take advice from a clearing agent.
I know the issue with IT equipment having moved a server from BE to CH.
Remember that your CH driving licence needs to be exchanged within in one year. You will also should return licence plates within a month; I had to negotiate with the Strassenverkehrsampt for an extension.
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Grüezi:-)
I will get in touch with a removal company. I first wanted to do the move myself, but I guess it will be easier with the help of some experienced people.
I will exchange my CH driving licence after 6 months. Need to wait for 6 months anyway.
But is it really true that I can only exchange my driving licence for the car? I also own one for motorcycles and I read (somewhere, don’t remember where ) that this driver’s license cannot be exchanged.
My car I will drive to France on Swiss plates. Custom told me this is possible as long as I switch to French plates within one month. I need to be able to drive my car until it is on French plates. I will be living in a very rural area up north and therefore need my car.
I used Keller from Basel for the move., everything went well.
No you should retain your motor bike license.
Yes I likewise could drive my car for 1 month on Swiss plates, but it took longer for my French plates to be issued. Luckily I was able to get a 1 month extension.
Your Swiss motor insurance policy should be kept in place until you return the plates. Unlike CH you can’t swap plates between cars.
This is quite handy and …oh, welcome!
Thanks, but I know those sites too well. There for example it says that the exemption does not apply to vehicles intended for mixed use. I own a VW transporter which I ever only used for private reasons. I’ve got two dogs which need some space, that’s why I have such a car. I was in touch with the Duane and they told me, if I used the car only for private purposes no problem. I would not need to pay VAT. Then I was in touch with one of the customs offices at the Swiss border and they told me I must pay VAT for this kind of car. So I got very different information.
I think that is where a custom agent will help, even if it is just for advice. As it is la douane that are clearing the goods into France I would think their information is more reliable?
The only two items I had to be present for the clearing were the car and the dog.
I did not have to pay VAT on the car but I did have to pay the environmental tax, which was not small on an Audi S4.