Importing a Greenmech CM200MT40 into France

[Matt Vaughan]

Hi All

I ap0ologise if ive posted this in the wrong place 

Im planning to bring a lovely old Lister powered MT40 to France and wanted to ask any of their experiences with older machines and getting a carte grise for them

There re two issues I am chewing over at the mo 

No 1 is getting it road registered here as anything over 500kg needs its own registration

Specifically its a question of conformity (certificate of Conformity CoC) to EU standards for the chassis/trailer on which the chipper is built

Ive asked Greenmech in the UK and France and the are struggling to help since back when the machine was built they did not get CoC 

Ultimately I might have to do it as a unique process through the DREAL (organisation responsible for road compliance) 

So if anyone has any info about tow hitch and brakes fitted perhaps I can check ot the manufacturers and ask them for details of UK compliance as background for the DREAL process Any thoughts comments would be great?

 

No2 is importation, has anyone imported a chipper into France, and particularly such an old machine that is second (don't know how many hand actually)

Do I just take it to the DUANE at the port of entry, or can I start the process before so they already know I'm coming?

Again any thoughts?

Matt

[Jase hutch]

Hello Matt , if you could email me at :

[email protected] 

With the serial number of your chipper i can look it up in the Master Records.

It should be three numbers followed by a letter.

Jase.

[Mick Dempsey]

It’s going to be a ballache to end all ballaches.

When I imported the TW I needed an EORI number, an inspection from Defra or someone to ensure it didn’t have any diseases on it and something else to do with VAT.

I got an expert to sort the importation for me.

Don’t try and sneak it through, I got pulled out immediately and the paperwork scrutinised, they seemed surprised and disappointed that it was in order.

 

As for the registration…good luck.

Edited Monday at 19:05 by Mick Dempsey
I suppose you could try to sneak it in through a busier port.

[PeteB]

Would it still attract the same attention if it was labelled as a veteran/vintage example not for commercial use? 

[GA Groundcare]

We have tried exporting stuff without a COC in the past. It isn't a goer. The only official way is to fit the chipper onto a trailer with COC.

 

 

[Ty Korrigan]

On 28/07/2025 at 11:25, Matt Vaughan said:

Hi All

I ap0ologise if ive posted this in the wrong place 

Im planning to bring a lovely old Lister powered MT40 to France and wanted to ask any of their experiences with older machines and getting a carte grise for them

There re two issues I am chewing over at the mo 

No 1 is getting it road registered here as anything over 500kg needs its own registration

Specifically its a question of conformity (certificate of Conformity CoC) to EU standards for the chassis/trailer on which the chipper is built

Ive asked Greenmech in the UK and France and the are struggling to help since back when the machine was built they did not get CoC 

Ultimately I might have to do it as a unique process through the DREAL (organisation responsible for road compliance) 

So if anyone has any info about tow hitch and brakes fitted perhaps I can check ot the manufacturers and ask them for details of UK compliance as background for the DREAL process Any thoughts comments would be great?

 

No2 is importation, has anyone imported a chipper into France, and particularly such an old machine that is second (don't know how many hand actually)

Do I just take it to the DUANE at the port of entry, or can I start the process before so they already know I'm coming?

Again any thoughts?

Matt

Hello,

I've imported several chippers into France and helped several of my French colleagues do the same.

I've sadly no idea (post Brexit) on how to obtain a phytosanitaire certificate as this was something that was of no concern beforehand or even if it concerns road tow machines.

I suspect tracked chippers, tractors, diggers and other earth moving machinery are obvious candidates.

 Just to throw another obstacle into the mix, your machine does not confirm to E.U norms and most likely cannot be made too either.

Neither can a used non-conforming machine be (legally) sold in France.

Less important if it's for your own use but important if anyone else is using it as one important modification was increasing the length of the infeed chute to reduce the risk of 'foot feeders' losing an appendage.

Some manufacturers have made kits with which to upgrade machines but only the more recent higher volume models.

Regardless, 

I have a colleague who against my advice bought a UK chipper which was pre CofC and found he couldn't register it as a result.

He had a custom chassis made costing around €4k, still cheaper than buying the same machine used in France.

 Where are you setting up in France?

          Regards

             Stuart

 

 

 

 

[Ty Korrigan]

To add...

 The registration process is done online via ANTS.

 

Accueil Immatriculation - Immatriculation - France Titres (ANTS)

IMMATRICULATION.ANTS.GOUV.FR

 

 

Other than your usual i.d and proof of residency, you need to upload your CofC for the machine.

 Very simple process.

One thought, perhaps GM could supply a chassis which conforms...?

 

[Ty Korrigan]

I've just had a horrible flashback to the time I bought an Atlas tipper trailer in 2012 which despite the instance of the dealer, didn't in fact conform.

What followed was 9 months or more of visiting to the DREAL also known as the 'MINE' by some French.

We had to assemble a dossier of every CofC for each component of the running gear.

I eventually asked if they wanted a CofC for the air in the tyres.

Now a trailer is simple enough but your machine doesn't conform in other ways other than merely running gear so avoid the DREAL route is my advice.

[Ty Korrigan]

On 28/07/2025 at 21:59, PeteB said:

Would it still attract the same attention if it was labelled as a veteran/vintage example not for commercial use? 

That most certainly isn't an option.

[AHPP]

France sounds fun.