How to Legally Import Used Cars from Abroad to China?
3 Answers
Used cars from abroad cannot be brought into China, as Chinese law explicitly prohibits the import of used vehicles. According to Article 7, Section 2 of the 'General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China Announcement No. 48 of 2007' regarding restrictions on temporarily imported and exported goods, used (old) cars and right-hand drive vehicles are prohibited from being imported. Purchasing channels for used cars: 1. Used car markets: Today's used car markets are no longer limited to a single sales method; they cover vehicles ranging from super luxury cars worth millions to discontinued models priced at just a few thousand yuan. Going directly to a used car market to find a buyer can eliminate middlemen and yield greater profits. 2. Used car websites: In the internet era, there are many national and local used car websites that provide free trading platforms for car owners to find buyers. These professional used car websites often feature free evaluation sections, allowing owners to roughly estimate the price of their used cars and avoid being scammed.
Last year, I imported a used car from Japan, and the entire process went quite smoothly. First, I had to find a suitable vehicle overseas—I chose a used Lexus because it met China's emission standards (must be at least China VI), otherwise it would be detained at customs. Then, I contacted a professional agency to handle the export procedures, including the transfer certificate from the original owner and the export license. For shipping, it's best to use a legitimate cargo ship—don't cut corners to save on freight costs. Upon arrival at a Chinese port, customs clearance required payment of tariffs (around 25%), VAT (13%), plus agency fees and inspection fees, totaling over 40% of the car's price. After passing inspection and obtaining the customs clearance certificate, I could register the car at the DMV. The entire process took at least three months, so I recommend planning ahead and working with a reputable agency to avoid being overcharged by intermediaries.
From a financial perspective, the cost of importing a used car isn't low. I recall that tariffs and VAT alone account for 30-40% of the car's price, not to mention shipping fees of several thousand yuan and agency fees of 10,000-20,000 RMB. In the end, the final price of an imported used car isn't much cheaper than buying a new domestic model of the same type. You need to weigh the car's condition: if the foreign car is well-maintained with low mileage, it might be worth it, but in most cases, it's less hassle and more economical to buy a local used car. It's advisable to set a budget, consult an agent for a detailed quote, and watch out for hidden fees like insurance and storage costs. Overall, it's better to buy directly from the domestic market unless you're particularly fond of a discontinued model.
