Shipping a Car to China

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Shipping to China

There are a few items you need to keep in mind if you plan to ship a car to China:

• The country prohibits the import of used vehicles unless you can show that it is meant for personal use.
• You can only ship left-hand drive vehicles to China. People in China drive on the right hand side of the road, and all their vehicles have steering wheels on the left, just as they do in the U.S.
• You cannot ship a car to China that is more than 20 years old regardless of whether it is for personal use or otherwise.
• Import of all vehicles that run on diesel fuel, except for Jeeps, is banned in China.
• While it is okay to import hybrid cars that run on gasoline and electricity, it’s relatively much harder to import an all-electric car to China.

Taxes on Car Imports

China has a tiered tariff structure on imported cars. The rates vary from 25 percent to 47 percent of the vehicle’s value depending on engine displacement. The country also assesses a 17 percent value added tax on new passenger vehicles. Be aware, though, that people from abroad, who are certified as being experts in their field by the Chinese government, can import their car tax-free. So, if you are a foreign expert, you can get your car into China tax-free. Foreign companies that set up operations in China can also import up to 10 cars into the country tax-free.

Preparing Your Car for Shipment

Before you can shipping a car to China, there are certain other formalities that you need to take care of first. For example, you will need to hand over copies of your vehicle’s registration and title, as well as a copy of your driver’s license to the shipping company. If you have an outstanding loan against the car, you will need to get a no-objection letter for shipping the car from your creditor.

Safety Checks

You will also need to complete a safety check of the vehicle at the port of origin. Your fuel tank may need to be emptied before shipping. You will need to hand over a set of keys to the ignition, gas cap and trunk of your vehicle. You will also need to ensure that the trunk and the entire car are emptied of all luggage and other personal belongings.

Choosing a Shipping Company

When choosing an international car shipping company, it is always advisable to choose a transporter which specializes in hauling cars to China. Such companies will be familiar with the latest rules and regulations governing car imports in China. Be aware, also, that you can import cars through only a very few ports in China. In order to drive your vehicle in China, you will need to obtain a license from that country. A U.S driver’s license and an international license are not valid in China. In general, when you ship a car to China, it is a good idea to make yourself as familiar as possible with the customs regulations and policies that govern such imports.