How to buy a car in France and bring it to Romania: HistoVec, CSA and export

Do not pay a deposit until the car identity, seller's right to sell, administrative status and physical condition support one another. Before travel to Romania, confirm registration, plates and insurance for the driver, dates and each transit state; otherwise use carriage on a vehicle transporter. Registers show recorded information, an inspection shows accessible condition at a particular time, and RAR, the tax authority and SPCRPCIV decide Romanian formalities. No level replaces another. 1 2 3

The decision before the deposit

Carry out checks in the order in which they can stop the transaction. A good price does not remedy a missing right to sell, an active opposition or unlawful transport.

French documents you need to see

Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the carte grise, purchase document and technical documentation. Confirm the seller's identity and that they are the registered holder; all co-holders must sign. A user of a car under LOA or leasing cannot sell it, because the finance organisation is the owner. Ask for original documents: copies sent for checking are useful but do not automatically replace originals later required by RAR or SPCRPCIV. 4 9 10

Ask the seller for the official, current HistoVec report, then compare SIV events with the VIN, service invoices and car. A screenshot, a period without records or absence of an event does not prove an accident-free history. Separately, the seller must provide a certificat de situation administrative (CSA) less than 15 days old. A gage does not itself prohibit sale, but an opposition blocks the change of holder until lifted; resolve any impediment before payment. 6 5 4

For private sale of a car over four years old, the contrôle technique report must normally be under six months old at the next registration application. If a contre-visite has been prescribed, its two-month period must not have expired. With a critical defect, repair and reinspection must be completed before sale to a private individual; do not treat the defect as simply valid for two months. Branches for newer, exempt or cars sold to a professional buyer differ. 4

At signing, take copy 2 of Cerfa 15776, complete carte grise crossed through, signed and marked with exact date and time, the valid CSA and relevant CT report. Co-holders sign where applicable. The seller declares transfer to ANTS within 15 days. Simplimmat is unavailable when the Romanian buyer does not live in France. 4

Physical inspection before purchase

HistoVec, CSA and CT do not replace a current inspection. Compare recorded defects and repairs with structure, wheel alignment, accessible underside, cold start, diagnostics and a lawful road test. Mark as unchecked anything that cannot be seen or tested; French origin itself proves neither a problem nor its absence. 6 4

RAR authenticity certification checks identification elements and authenticity of the foreign registration document. It is valid for one registration only, no more than 60 calendar days, but does not certify complete technical condition, civil ownership, absence of financing or complete history. 2 11

How to bring the car from France

A crossed-through carte grise and detachable coupon do not authorise travel outside France. An ordinary CPI is valid only in France for one month. A CPI WW can be issued for export and normally lasts four months, but acceptance abroad depends on each transit state. For the France–Germany–Austria–Hungary–Romania route, confirm in writing WW registration and insurance for the specific owner, driver, days and route. 12 13 4

RAR, VAT and registration in Romania

For a used car last registered in France, RAR can issue CIV directly if it has EU type approval and the approved configuration has not been modified; otherwise individual approval may be needed. RAR carries out technical checking and authenticity certification. The CoC is compulsory in the WLTP branch indicated by RAR, normally for vehicles manufactured after 31 August 2018, but manufacture year alone does not decide the requirement. 1 10 11

For VAT purposes, the car is new if it has no more than 6,000 km OR is delivered within no more than six months of first registration. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km AND delivery takes place after more than six months. Equality at either threshold keeps it in the new-vehicle branch. For a private buyer not registered for VAT, intra-Community acquisition of a new vehicle is taxable in Romania at 21%; D301 and payment are dealt with before registration, no later than the applicable tax deadline. For a used car above both thresholds, additional acquisition VAT in Romania does not normally arise, but invoice and price depend on seller and normal or margin scheme. Do not automatically assume a net price, deduction or refund. 15 16 17

If the registration applicant is the non-VAT-registered person who made the intra-Community acquisition, the registration file requires the ANAF certificate confirming VAT paid or not due. Foreign supporting documents submitted to ANAF must be accompanied by authorised Romanian translations. This differs from the local tax clearance certificate and customs procedure applicable to imports from Switzerland. 18 19 16

There is another step to clarify before signing: since 25 February 2026, Article 159(5²) requires a vehicle buyer to have the certificate concerning obligations to the local budget at their domicile, replaceable by electronic verification, and paragraph (6) provides for nullity of documents concluded in breach of these requirements. The text does not expressly explain territorial application or the mechanism for a direct contract with a foreign seller. Confirm the specific procedure with the competent local tax authority; do not conclude that a French contract is automatically valid, void or exempt. 7 8 9

After CIV, record the vehicle with the competent local tax authority within 30 days from the date RAR issues the CIV, not the contract. For registration, proof of ownership must be recorded in tax records. The SPCRPCIV file competent for the domicile includes, as applicable, identity, CIV, valid RCA in the owner’s or authorised holder’s name, ITP, valid authenticity certification, fees and originals of French documents and plates; some checks may be electronic. 20 9 18

Romanian provisional authorisation is issued in the owner's name and permits driving only in Romania with appropriate RCA. The normal maximum is 90 days, including shorter cumulative periods; if foreign registration documents are missing for a vehicle previously registered in another state, the exception is a maximum of five days. The 90-day foreign-plate limit from entry into Romania for a vehicle held by a Romanian resident does not extend registration, plates, ITP or insurance expiring sooner and does not validate international transit. 18 21

Budget without misleading totals

Dated amounts are partial public fees. Choose the certificate line valid at payment and one transport option. Do not calculate an overall total until RAR, RCA, translations, transport, French costs and local tax have values applicable to your case.

Checklist before departure and in Romania

Keep the file chronologically, with copies for checks and originals for institutions requiring them.

Frequently asked questions

When is the vehicle ‘new’ for VAT?

At no more than 6,000 km OR on delivery within no more than six months of first registration. It is used only above 6,000 km AND after more than six months; equality remains in the new branch, taxable in Romania at 21%. 15, 16, 17

Is the ANAF certificate the same as the local tax clearance certificate?

No. The first confirms VAT paid or not due in the intra-Community branch; the second concerns the buyer's obligations to the local budget. Foreign documents submitted to ANAF require authorised translations. 7, 19, 16

When does the 30-day deadline for local tax declaration start?

From the RAR CIV, not from the contract. The ownership document must be tax-recorded for registration. 20, 9

Can I drive with Romanian provisional plates from France to Romania?

No. They are valid only in Romania, normally for a cumulative maximum of 90 days; without the foreign registration documents, the special branch is a maximum of five days. RCA remains compulsory. 18

Does an RAR Auto-Pass with no data prove that the vehicle has no problems?

No. The service reflects the RAR register. It costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days when data exist; the free negative report does not prove a clean foreign history. Handover does not automatically fall to the French seller on the first direct import. 25, 28

Does a French contrôle technique replace an independent inspection?

No. CT, HistoVec and the physical inspection check different levels; inaccessible items remain unchecked. 6, 4, 3

Does CPI WW guarantee the journey from France to Romania?

No. Recognition depends on each state. Confirm the insurance, driver, dates and route; otherwise use a vehicle transporter. 12, 13, 14

Is CarAudit inspection available in France and what does it include?

Public coverage in France: 239 EUR including VAT and travel. Report within no more than 48 hours after the inspection, excluding weekends and holidays. Confirm the location and date. Up to 270 points, subject to access and lift availability; without dismantling, civil guarantee or import formalities. 26, 27, 3

Independent inspection in France

For a car already chosen in France, you can request an independent inspection before the deposit after confirming location, date and access to the vehicle.

Have you chosen a vehicle in France? You can order an independent inspection before the deposit, after confirming the locality, date and access. The service does not guarantee the result, does not cover future defects and does not handle transport, RAR, taxes or registration. 26, 27, 3

Sources

1. RAR — CIV for used vehicles last registered in the EU
2. RAR — authenticity certification
3. CarAudit Romania — what we inspect
4. Service Public — selling or donating a vehicle
5. Service Public — administrative status certificate
6. HistoVec — public service description
7. Romanian Tax Procedure Code, consolidated text — Article 159
8. Emergency Ordinance No. 7 of 24 February 2026
9. Bucharest Prefecture — vehicle-registration guidance
10. RAR — documents for DOIIT activities
11. RNTR 7 — authenticity and individual approval
12. Service Public — provisional registration certificate
13. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
14. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
15. Your Europe — VAT when buying or selling a car abroad
16. ANAF Brașov — VAT and vehicle acquisitions
17. ANAF — Romanian VAT rates
18. MAI Order No. 181/2024 — registration and provisional circulation
19. ANAF Order No. 1611/2022
20. Law No. 296/2020 — amendment to Article 471(3)
21. Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 — Article 82(4)
22. MAI service hub — vehicle registration
23. Buzău Prefecture — fee notice dated 2 September 2026
24. MAI Order No. 55/2025 — registration-plate tariffs
25. RAR Auto-Pass — official service information
26. CarAudit Romania — home and order section
27. CarAudit Romania — frequently asked questions
28. Law No. 142/2023 — RAR Auto-Pass