How to Bring a Car Purchased Abroad Back to China?
2 Answers
It must be a model approved for import by the country, and you need to pay the full customs duties, consumption tax, and value-added tax at customs before bringing it back. Below is a relevant introduction on how to bring a foreign car back to China: 1. Shipping Requirements: Submit the customs import certificate, commodity inspection certificate from the port of entry, and import license for customs declaration (foreign-invested enterprises have an import license), complete customs tax payment, and submit the materials to pass. 2. Shipping Issues: There are many companies specializing in international freight. Call to inquire if they offer specialized vehicle shipping rates. Shipping costs should already include insurance, port miscellaneous fees, etc. Generally, you can request the port of arrival.
I once bought a car in Germany and shipped it back to China—the process was quite a hassle but doable. First, you need to find a reliable international shipping company that handles vehicle transport via container shipping or air freight. Pricing depends on distance and method: sea shipping is cheaper but slower, taking 1-2 months. My car was loaded in Hamburg port with a pre-booked appointment, ensuring it was properly secured to avoid damage. Upon arrival in China, customs procedures were the biggest hurdle: I had to provide the original purchase invoice, export certificate, and tax payment proof, paying tariffs and VAT totaling around 25%-50% of the car’s value. It also had to pass emissions and safety inspections, sometimes requiring modifications like adjusting lights or the dashboard. My advice? Research the destination country’s policies in advance—for example, China’s import license restrictions—and hire professional agents to minimize headaches. The whole process took months and cost tens of thousands extra. Worth it? Maybe for rare models.
