Are Parallel Import Cars in Tianjin Port Legal?
2 Answers
Tianjin Port parallel import cars are legal. Here are the specific details about parallel import cars: 1. Price Advantage: Parallel import cars bypass the sales channels of general distributors and regional distributors, and their pricing is not restricted by manufacturers, resulting in significant price discounts. Typically, parallel import cars are 10%~20% cheaper than China-spec cars. 2. Delivery Advantage: After new cars are launched overseas, they may not be available in China due to certain automakers' strategic plans or domestic certification issues. However, parallel import cars have a natural advantage in this regard. They can be purchased overseas and then shipped to China for sale, significantly reducing the waiting time for new models. 3. Rich Configurations: Another advantage of parallel import cars is the ability to purchase overseas models not available in China. Generally, to align with the Chinese market positioning strategy, automakers make certain adjustments when importing overseas models to China. In contrast, parallel import cars are directly imported from regions like North America and the Middle East, so their models may not necessarily match the China-spec versions.
I just bought a parallel-imported car at Tianjin Port, so I know quite a bit about this. Actually, parallel-imported cars are legal in China, but they must be purchased through legitimate channels, such as dealers with import licenses. The government requires these cars to pass quality inspections and safety tests, like the 3C certification, to ensure there won't be major issues. I bought one myself because it was cheaper, saving me tens of thousands compared to 4S stores, but you have to be careful with after-sales service since there's no official warranty. I recommend checking the car's condition and relevant certificates when buying, and don't just go for the cheapest option to avoid getting a smuggled car. There are many reliable shops at Tianjin Port—as long as the paperwork is complete, the car can be legally driven, and insurance can be processed normally. Overall, as long as everything is done legally and compliantly, there shouldn't be any major issues, and you can enjoy the cost savings, making it suitable for those on a tight budget.
