Anyone managed to import a Hiace camper to France?

Hi all. First post. Love this forum!

I moved to France from the UK last year. Been lusting after a mid-90s Hiace camper for about 15 years. I finally found one (in the UK), only to realise that French red tape means getting it registered here would be next to impossible. In fact, most specialist importers here have said it would be flat out impossible.

As far as I'm aware, these Hiaces were never made for the French/European market, which means no European Certificate of Conformity ... which means, long story short, having to get it evaluated as a one-off vehicle.

The tales of woe from others who've tried to get their JDM vehicles through such an evaluation are long and sorrowful. The potential bill to change all the non-European bits runs into the thousands.

So ... long shot. Has anyone on this forum pulled off this heroic feat? Feeling really dejected right now. There's just no other camper on the [French] market that gets me even remotely hot under the collar.

Thanks all.

Hi, I saw your PM about this.

I actually did not import a JDM Hiace, I bought a European left hand drive Hiace. They are mostly worker vans with no luxury at all. Completely the opposite of the luxury jdm super customs. But they have the steering wheel on the left and have beel sold on the European market. They probably have been sold in France as well, but then without 4x4 (that is situation in Netherlands)
Mine is imported from Norway and was easy because of the exisitng European type (they did not care it had 4x4)
However, these vehicles are hard to find in good shape or hard to find at all. Most of them are rusted and/or to Africa already. Or they are without 4x4.
If you have them in 4x4, it is really old skool 4x4 with low gearing, so better than super custom. But weaker engines and no luxury.

Importing a JDM super custom probably has some red tape. I know that it is possible in the Netherlands, they just treat it like an individual one, costing up to 1500 euro or something (processing cost).
Perhaps it is a route to import it in another country and then import it into France?
This is a common trick to overcome certain issues. For example, skipping the Individual Dutch check by importing it into Germany, and then importing to Netherlands.
Or converting a car into electric officially, by importing it into UK, register as electric, and import it back into Netherlands. Unfortunately there is Brexit.
I would checkout anyone who used Germany as a route to import a JDM car without type.

Hi dude
Interested reading your question.
I moved to France in 2006 with my Hiace Super custom & tried, like you, get it registered without success.
In the end I insured it in France with an friendly English insurance company & also kept it insured in England.
It was necessary to return to the UK to get the mot done each year but, as we came back on a yearly basis for marmite & baked beans & curry stuff, it worked out ok.
I finally left France in 2019 & still have the Toyota back in Blighty!
All is well

David

Unfortunately this is a question not often asked. I’ve just moved to France and really want to import a LHD hiace van (which I’m yet to purchase). So hard to find any information on them. And like the OP I’m finding it hard to buy a van that in not excited about - I’d love a reliable hiace! Did the Op have any success since this question was asked last year? Thanks

I know it's a few years on - but I just found this - it looks like it's possible to get a Cert of Conformity for a JDM import BUT you need to arrange for it to be done before it leaves Japan. It needs to be physically inspected at the port of departure:

https://japaninspection.org/certificate-of-conformity-coc/

At the time of writing, it's about £260

Disregard this one

I just registered my JDM 1998 KZH100G SuperCustom G  triple on 20240201 in Oregon. I had to have Certificate of Export and a translated copy of the certificate because of language other than English.


Of course I also had to provide the Customs and EPA paperwork with it. I have copies of all that was needed.

It’s easier if you know someone in Japan that can help with the paperwork, especially transferring the title to them and then it makes it easier for them to obtain the Certificate of Export since they are the “legal owner” of said vehicle. They can also hold and transport to dock for shipping when time comes.


Also, for US market, the 25yr rule applies and currently 1999 is able for import….after it reaches build date and it’s safe without confiscating and crushing.

bobbybilltaylor wrote:

Unfortunately this is a question not often asked. I’ve just moved to France and really want to import a LHD hiace van (which I’m yet to purchase). So hard to find any information on them. And like the OP I’m finding it hard to buy a van that in not excited about - I’d love a reliable hiace! Did the Op have any success since this question was asked last year? Thanks

I ended up going down @bladderwort ‘s route. Insuring in the UK and popping back once a year.