What is the tariff on imported cars from the United States?
2 Answers
The tariff on imported cars from the United States is 15%. The calculation formula for the tariff is: Tariff = Duty-paid Price × Tariff Rate. According to national regulations, imported cars are subject to three types of taxes: tariff, value-added tax (VAT), and consumption tax. The first two are fixed taxes, while the consumption tax ranges from 1% to 40%, with different rates for imported cars of different engine displacements. The following is an introduction to the calculation method for vehicle consumption tax: 1% for engine displacements of 1.0 liters or less, 3% for engine displacements above 1.0 liters up to 1.5 liters (inclusive), 5% for engine displacements above 1.5 liters up to 2.0 liters (inclusive), 9% for engine displacements above 2.0 liters up to 2.5 liters (inclusive), 12% for engine displacements above 2.5 liters up to 3.0 liters (inclusive), 25% for engine displacements above 3.0 liters up to 4.0 liters (inclusive), and 40% for engine displacements above 4.0 liters.
As a regular office worker who loves to analyze car economics, I find tariffs quite impactful on my wallet. The standard tariff rate for imported cars in the U.S. is around 2.5%, and most vehicles from Europe or Japan are taxed at this rate. However, if a car is imported from Canada or Mexico, it’s tariff-free under the USMCA agreement, meaning zero additional cost. This rate isn’t universal—special cases exist, like during the U.S.-China trade tensions, when cars from China faced an extra 25% tariff, directly driving up prices. When buying a car, it’s crucial to check its origin, as higher tariffs naturally inflate the price. I recommend consulting the U.S. International Trade Commission website or asking dealers for the latest data. Tariffs are just part of the cost; adding other expenses like customs processing fees can raise total import costs by 10% to 15%. Always remind yourself to budget extra to avoid being fooled by seemingly low prices. In short, understanding tariffs helps you make smarter choices.
