Hello G
just to add to what 'Straydog' has posted, importing a Van into France is either Very very simple - or very f*****cking prohibitively erxpensive, and thats a straightforward Van...... If you have Modified it in anyway (ie Motorhome) then really you cannot expect to get it registered.
First the simple bit, Buy a van less than 4 years old, Keep the Sales receipt ( proof you have paid VAT ) Take the receipt, proof of your address (Energy Bill) ID. (Passport) to the local Tax office where you live, and ask for a 'certificate of payment of VAT' give them the docs. This takes 30 mins.
Then go to any Departmental Prefecture, fill in a form for " First Registration of a Vehicle in France' present your "Tax Cert." Certificate of Conformity, English Reg Document, proof of address and a Cheque. When you first register a vehicle in France you have to pay duty, this is linked to the pollution of the vehicle, the more polluting the higher the tax. For old Big Diesel engined motors ... like a Landy expect to pay £1500 upwards. For a modern 1600cc Diesel Van Euro 5 tax is 280€
At Alençon Prefecture it takes 15mins at Desk, You get Registration doc 3 days later in post.
You should buy new LHD headlights, Your speedo should read in kM per hour but unless you need an MOT ( Controle Technique in France for vehicles older than 4 years) nobody checks them
The crux is " Obtaining a Certificate of Conformity " For cars, it is possible to go quite a way back, but for commercial vehicles it is only possible to get Cert. of Conf. for vehicles BUILT after OCTOBER 2010 I tried with a Transit first registered March 2011. could not get because it was built JULY 2010. I was advised to ask Ford France for a " Statement of conformity " + 300 € I ask for a guarantee that this would register it in France ...... NON
take it to DRIRE
So I sold the Transit
I had the Van insured in UK with Adrian Flux, but could only have 60 days in EU, so I talked to my local MAAF Assurance in France and they agreed to insure me with UK Reg for single trip up 180 days insurance in EU. I kept Adrian Flux insurance 'cos It was needed for MID Database I taxed and MOTd the van. This worked nicely for Four years
Then Brexit
....... I received a letter From my insurer MAAF stating I had 30 days to register my Van in France ....... I got an extension ...... and I failed to get the Certificate of Conformity
On the Bright side ....... If you insure your Van for Private use ( like SDP in UK ) then it is ok to put 'private' things in it like a bed and a cooker etc.
you do not need to bother with changing the registration.
Be aware, a Van registered early 2011 MAY have been built before the cut-off date, then you are stuffed A 2012 Van should be OK
better to check but over 4 years old you will need a 'Controle Technique' in France New headlights ..... say 300€ so ad that to the bill.
You only pay the tax once
I go skiing every year,with eberspacher it works, insulate every panel on the van, fill every void, and cover everything in a vapour barrier. You cannot wild camp in any ski resort or small village, it is heavily policed. There will be 'Camping Aires' nearby that you have to use or campsites. I've ski'ed in France for years, The pyrenees, The Alps and more recently the Jura mountains. I use campsites, even with a eberspacher heater which keeps you warm, the engine too needs looking after, The liquid diesel heaters are perfect for the job but an expensive addition onto the cabin Air heater. I stay at Mouthe in Jura, it has the reputation for being the coldest place in France I've experienced -25 degrees there and - 15 to - 20 is not at all unusual. I used a 300watt sump heater, but after -20 it is ' touch and go ' as to whether it will start
On the new van I will install a 2Kw Water heater with electric pump, this will ensure easy starting but of course needs a Mains hookup.
Sorry for such a long post......... just dont underestimate what you want to get into .....
Colin