→ Import route
Cost of importing a car from France into Italy
Compare dealer asking prices like for like in both countries, read the registration taxes and steps, and estimate the cost with the free calculator.
In short
On 4 Nov 2026, the comparison France → Italy matched 23 models by registration year, mileage band and fuel. The median model's dealer asking price was 4% higher in France than in Italy, with 26% of models still listed lower in the origin country. The calculator estimates the total cost of registering the car in Italy, including registration tax (IPT), VAT where due and fees. Worked example: the landed total is €14,894 – €16,178, against a local median of €13,500 for the same model, year and fuel (€1,394 – €2,678 above).
Like-for-like asking prices: France and Italy
Each model is compared using only the registration years, mileage bands and fuels listed in both countries, with the same weights on both sides. A negative figure means a lower asking price in the origin country, before transport and import taxes.
Differences compare matched cars. Destination medians include all listed cars of each model.
Models with lower asking prices in France
| Model | Matched difference | Destination median |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | −8% | €14,900 |
| Citroën C3 | −8% | €10,500 |
| Toyota Aygo X | −5% | €15,400 |
| Audi A1 | −3% | €20,900 |
| Toyota Yaris Cross | −1% | €21,900 |
| Volkswagen Polo | −0% | €13,000 |
Models with higher asking prices in France
| Model | Matched difference | Destination median |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen T-Roc | +25% | €21,500 |
| Nissan Qashqai | +15% | €19,300 |
| Renault Symbioz | +13% | €24,900 |
| Renault Austral | +12% | €24,800 |
| Volkswagen T-Cross | +11% | €17,900 |
| MG ZS | +10% | €15,500 |
| Peugeot 2008 | +9% | €15,700 |
| Dacia Duster | +8% | €14,400 |
What a typical 2023 Renault Clio costs, bought from France and registered in Italy
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price paid to the seller | €14,000 |
| Provincial registration tax (IPT)Province not chosen: the 30% increase most provinces apply; the range covers the provinces with a lower rate, a relief or a special tariff. | €151 – €456 |
| Transport (open truck)No FR→IT lane yet: a generic estimate is used.Transport estimate is low-confidence until dated quotes are collected. | €600 – €1,500 |
| PRA registration emolument (ACI) | €27 |
| Stamp duty, registration and documento unico | €64 |
| Motorizzazione rights | €10 |
| Number plates (rectangular pair)Province not chosen: EUR 41.78; the Aosta, Bolzano and Trento series costs EUR 45.68. | €42 |
| Periodic inspection (revisione), only if dueIndicative amount; official tariff not yet checked.Usually €0 for an unmodified EU car with a valid inspection. If a revisione is due: €77.24 plus the payment charge (about €79 in ACI's example). | €0 – €79 |
| Total landed cost | €14,894 – €16,178 |
| Median asking price of the same model, year and fuel in Italy | €13,500 |
| Landed total against that median | €1,394 – €2,678 above |
The median covers all mileages of that model, year and fuel, across 67 listings in Italy: a market benchmark, not the price of an identical car.
Assumptions
- Purchase price
- €14,000, the asking-price median of 221 cars in France in our data dated 4 Nov 2026.
- First registration
- June 2023 (assumed month)
- Mileage (origin median)
- 33,000 km
- Fuel (most listed for this model and year)
- Petrol
- Engine size and CO₂
- 1,498 cm³ and 135 g/km WLTP. Typical assumptions, not listing data.
- Power (typical assumption)
- 100 kW
- Seller VAT
- Unknown. The calculator shows a range when VAT treatment changes the cost.
- Transport
- Truck, using the calculator's route estimate.
- Planned registration date
- 2026-12-04
- Seller VAT status unknown: the range covers a VAT-deductible and a margin-scheme listing.
Estimate the cost of importing a car from France into Italy
Enter the asking price and the car's details to see the taxes with their legal basis and clearly labelled estimates.
Registration taxes in Italy
IPT (imposta provinciale di trascrizione)
Italy has no CO₂ registration tax for a used import: the ecotassa ended in 2021. What you pay is the provincial registration tax (IPT) when the car is entered in the PRA register: €150.81 up to 53 kW, otherwise €3.51 for every kW of power, plus the province's increase (30% in most provinces, 20–25% in some, none in Aosta, Bolzano and Trento), rounded to whole euros. Some provinces discount electric and hybrid cars.
Then come the PRA emolument (€27), the stamp duty for the registration and the documento unico (€64), the Motorizzazione rights (€10.20) and plates (€41.78). A periodic inspection (revisione) is only needed if one is due. Cars above 185 kW also pay the yearly superbollo (€20 per kW above 185, less with age).
Official sources
The steps
- Check the listing's asking price against comparable cars, the mileage history and whether the car is sold under the margin scheme or with VAT shown separately.
- Get the registration certificate, including all parts issued by the country, the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), the invoice or contract, and the service records from the seller.
- Arrange a car transporter, or drive the car on temporary or export plates with insurance valid for the trip. The calculator includes a transport estimate you can change.
- Register the car in Italy: pay any registration tax and fees due, complete any required inspection and get local plates.
Questions about this route
Is it cheaper to buy a used car in France than in Italy?
On 4 Nov 2026, 26% of 23 models compared like for like had lower dealer asking prices in France than in Italy, although the median model was listed 4% higher. Transport and registration costs come on top.
What taxes do I pay to register a car from France in Italy?
Registration tax for this destination: IPT. Italy has no CO₂ registration tax for a used import: the ecotassa ended in 2021. What you pay is the provincial registration tax (IPT) when the car is entered in the PRA register: €150.81 up to 53 kW, otherwise €3.51 for every kW of power, plus the province's increase (30% in most provinces, 20–25% in some, none in Aosta, Bolzano and Trento), rounded to whole euros. Some provinces discount electric and hybrid cars.
Do I pay VAT again when I import a used car from France into Italy?
A car that is used for VAT purposes, bought from a dealer under the margin scheme or from a private seller in another EU country, carries no VAT again in Italy. If VAT is shown separately, a VAT-registered buyer can buy without the VAT charged in France and account for VAT at the destination. For a used car under normal VAT rules, a private buyer collecting it abroad generally pays the seller-country VAT. Seller-arranged delivery can change the VAT treatment; confirm the invoice and delivery arrangements. A car first used six months ago or less, or driven 6,000 km or less, is a new means of transport for VAT and is taxed at 22% in the destination country, whoever buys it.
How do I bring the car from France into Italy?
Use a car transporter, or drive the car on temporary or export plates with insurance valid for the trip. Keep the registration certificate, Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and invoice for registration at the destination.
How much does it cost in total to import a Renault Clio from France into Italy?
In our worked example the total landed cost is €14,894 – €16,178, against a median asking price of €13,500 for the same model, year and fuel in Italy (€1,394 – €2,678 above).