Importing a Camper Van from France

I don't think you can buy any vehicle in France unless you have a French address. My son works and lives on the Continent and drives a British car.

Just got a motorhome from Germany and without somebody to help with paperwork it would be a bit of a challenge.Got the motorhome insured on a VIN number.Should be something similar in France regarding exporting the vehicle...

Can someone please explain how Ireland get away with charging VRT when no other EU country charge it?
Just being inquisitive.

Nobody's interested in challenging it and it suits the trade as it discourages personal imports.
An account friend of mine has told me it breaks all kinds of tax conventions, in particular, it's a tax which is not quantifiable before a person commits to a transaction.
Imagine buying a house and not knowing the stamp duty liability until after you have concluded the purchase.

Has the European Court of Human rights nothing to say on this matter?

You’ll find Ireland will use European law when it suits them and ignore it when they can.
It’s all about the ‘politics’ ..... “poly” meaning many & “tics” meaning ‘blood sucking parasites’ .... sums it up quite well really.

A hell of a lot cheaper than here. Was broke down in Morlaix a few years ago. While waiting for repair, had a brouse of the vans in their yard. If possible would have bought one straight away. Came with automatic satellite dish,awning, bike rack. Brand new 43000. Only problem, would not sell unless you have a French address.

I wonder why you can buy a boat or a car and bring it home so why cant you export a van ?.

I asked that question from another source and the answer I got was.
That why people go to Germany to Buy Motorhomes. The French dont want the business.

Similar in Spain to France, you must have an address and other documentation

I hear what you are saying guys but a few years ago a French dealer gave me a quote to trade in my MH against another he had in stock. I didn't to the deal as he was looking for too much for the change.

Again I would expect any impediment placed in the way of a resident of one EU country from making a purchase in another would be contrary to the Free Movements of Goods and Services. It seems contrary to the FMGS that a French person living in Perpignan can't buy down the road in Girona or a Belgian in Ghent and buy down the road in Lille

I bought a secondhand Landrover in the UK and just drove it over here. Why would a used camper in France be any different?

Sorry, maybe I should have been a little clearer with " Yes they can sell and export without the Vat. A friend has a deal done."

It's a brand new van from the dealer, so unplated.

Correct, but what my point is is that if you buy a van in Germany, the plate stays with the owner.
Therefore you have to go down to the local tax office with the KFZ docs and they will issue with temporary export plates which are valid for a particular period of time.
This allows you to drive the vehicle back to the country that you are importing it from.

I have imported a lot of vehicles over the years, bikes, cars and campervans from not just the UK but US and Germany.
It used to be easier than it is now but in the case of France it is difficult because export plates are not issued unlike Germany.
When buying a used vehicle sometimes you can use the old plates to drive back but you have to be able to arrange insurance on the vehicle, sometimes the local prefecture will cross out the reg number and that makes it difficult.

In the UK and Ireland because the plate follows the vehicle you simply buy the vehicle and arrange temporary insurance on it, then drive home.
Rather more difficult if there isn't even a number plate on the thing! See how far you get down the road before a Gendarme pulls you up and starts into you. France is very bureaucratic.