Everything you need to know before importing.
Guides, comparisons and analysis on importing premium vehicles from Europe to France and Switzerland. Written by Maxime Astier, founder of Auto M Import.
Reclaiming VAT on an Imported Vehicle: What's Possible (and What Isn't)
Commercial vehicle or passenger car, new or used, reverse charge or margin scheme: the clear guide to whether your business can actually reclaim VAT on an imported vehicle — and how to avoid the trap that blocks it.
Importing a Mercedes-AMG from Germany: Which Model, What Penalty Tax (2026)
V8, hybrid, A45: depending on the model and the year, importing a Mercedes-AMG from Germany can be a fantastic deal or a tax trap. The complete guide to the AMG penalty tax (malus), the sweet spots, and the pitfalls to avoid in 2026.
Importing a Porsche 911 from Germany: Price, Penalty Tax, Rare Configs (2026)
Europe's deepest market, configurations you simply can't find in France (manual gearbox, Paint To Sample, GT3), and the real penalty tax (malus) calculation: the complete guide to importing a Porsche 911 from Germany in 2026.
Importing a Car to Geneva and the Canton of Vaud: The 2026 Registration Process
The registration procedure for an imported vehicle in Geneva (OCV) and the canton of Vaud (SAN): documents, cantonal inspection, Z plates, costs, and the pitfalls to avoid, canton by canton.
Importing an Audi RS6 from Germany: The Real Penalty Tax (Malus) Calculation (2026 Guide)
The real price gap, a deep market, and above all the penalty tax calculation that makes or breaks the deal: the complete guide to importing an Audi RS6 from Germany in 2026 without falling into the tax trap.
Buying a Car in Germany Yourself or Using a Broker?
The real comparison between importing a car from Germany on your own and using a broker: actual costs, time, risks, and an honest breakdown of which option wins depending on your situation.
The Best Cars to Import from Germany in 2026 (Ranked)
Which premium models are genuinely worth importing from Germany in 2026? Our logic-driven ranking — the no-brainers, the hard-to-find configurations, the anti-penalty-tax weapon, and the traps to avoid at all costs.
Car-Buying Scams in Germany: The Traps and How to Avoid Them
Odometer fraud, fake sellers, bogus escrow services, cloned VINs: a complete overview of car-buying scams in Germany, the warning signs to watch for, and the one real safeguard for French and Swiss buyers.
Importing a BMW M3 or M4 from Germany: Price, Penalty Tax, Pitfalls (2026 Guide)
The real price gap, hard-to-find configurations, and above all the actual penalty tax calculation on an M3/M4: the complete guide to importing a BMW M car from Germany in 2026 without any bad surprises.
How to Import a Car from Germany to Switzerland: The Complete 2026 Guide
Customs, 8.1% VAT, 4% automobile tax, cantonal vehicle inspection, CO2 penalty: everything you need to know to import a premium vehicle from Germany to Switzerland in 2026, with real costs and the pitfalls to avoid.
2026 Penalty Tax on a Car Imported from Germany: What Actually Applies
CO2 penalty tax, weight tax, the so-called 'retroactive penalty tax': separating fact from fiction for 2026. How the penalty tax is really calculated on an imported used car — and the two misconceptions that cost buyers dearly.
Car Broker in Germany: How to Choose the Right One in 2026 (and Avoid Scams)
The complete guide to choosing a specialist German car broker or import agent: the 8 criteria that matter, the 6 questions to ask before signing, and the red flags to avoid.
Germany Car Import Price Guide 2026: Full Cost Breakdown by Model and Brand
How much does a BMW, Porsche, Audi or Mercedes really cost in Germany vs. France? A detailed price guide with real price gaps for 25 popular models in 2026.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Import a Car from Germany in 2026? The Complete Breakdown
Every real cost of importing a car from Germany, broken down line by line: purchase price, inspection, transport, paperwork, and broker fees. With 3 fully transparent worked examples for a BMW, a Porsche, and an Audi.
Importing a Car from Germany to France in 2026: The Complete Guide (Price, Process, Timeline)
Everything you need to know before bringing a vehicle in from Germany: the real costs, the administrative process, realistic timelines, and the pitfalls to avoid.