China car import · 2025 global guide

China car import · 2025 global guide

Buying a car in China in 2025 – full global guide

Chinese cars – especially EVs and hybrids – are often one or even two
segments higher for the same money compared to local offers in Europe.
This guide explains how to choose a car in China, check it, buy it safely
and ship it to Europe with full understanding of taxes and registration.

1. Why look at China for your next car in 2025

• Price vs equipment. For the price of a basic European car you often get a better-equipped Chinese SUV or EV.
• Strong EV & hybrid line-up. Brands like BYD, Zeekr, Li Auto, NIO and others offer long-range EVs and plug-in hybrids.
• Wide choice. From compact city cars to luxury sedans and MPVs – many models are sold only in China.
• Growing export experience. Chinese manufacturers and exporters already work with clients in the EU, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

2. New vs used cars from China

You can import both new and used cars.
The purchase price and export paperwork are different, but the main idea is
the same: find a real car with clean history and calculate the full landed
cost to your country.

• New cars. Clear configuration, factory warranty,
  invoice directly from a dealer or OEM. Good choice for EVs and premium
  models.
• Used cars. Lower entry price, plus you can also find
  European, Japanese and Korean brands that were originally sold in China.
  Here inspection is critical.

3. Where to search for cars in China

You do not need to know Chinese to start searching. Modern browsers
translate pages automatically, and we have a separate article that explains
how to use Chinese platforms in detail.

• Che168 (二手车之家). One of the largest platforms for
  used cars across China – dealer and private listings.
• Guazi (瓜子二手车). Big online marketplace with warranty
  options and verified listings.
• Dongchedi (懂车帝). Auto-media project owned by
  ByteDance (TikTok). New-car configurator with official prices plus a
  used-car section.
• Official manufacturer websites. For new cars you can
  see factory configurations and recommended retail prices.
• Our configurator on myroncars.com. Lets you build a car
  (trim, battery size, drivetrain, interior) and get a realistic price in
  China in one place.

4. Step-by-step: how the buying process works globally

4.1. Online selection and first check

You shortlist several cars based on photos, mileage, year and price.
A local partner in China (like Myron Cars) contacts the sellers, checks
that the cars really exist, and negotiates a realistic price range.

4.2. Technical inspection and history

For used cars you should always order an independent inspection – for
example via services like ChaBoShu – to detect accident damage, repaint,
structural issues or odometer tampering. For new cars we verify VIN,
factory order and delivery times.

4.3. Contract and deposit

Once the car passes inspection, you sign a purchase agreement and pay a
deposit to reserve it. Payments from Europe are usually made by standard
bank transfer in EUR or USD directly to a Chinese company account.
Commission is typically small and clearly shown by the bank.

4.4. Export from China

A licensed exporter (for example, Myron Trade / Myron Cars) re-registers
the car on its company, deregisters it in Chinese traffic police, obtains
an export licence and files the export declaration. After
that the car can legally leave China.

4.5. Ocean shipping to Europe

Most cars for Europe go by sea:

• Ports of loading: Shanghai, Ningbo, Tianjin, Guangzhou and others.
• Ports of discharge: mainly Rotterdam (Netherlands) and
  Bremerhaven (Germany). From these hubs you can clear customs and then
  deliver the car anywhere in Europe.
• Container loading: 1 car per container (maximum
  flexibility) or 2–3 cars in one container to reduce the cost per unit.

From the port you either transport the car on a truck to your country or
register it first in Germany / Switzerland and drive it home on plates from
these countries.

5. Taxes in Europe: duty, VAT and excise

When a car from China enters the EU, several taxes apply. You need to know
them before you decide if the deal makes sense.

5.1. Customs duty (CŁO)

The standard EU duty on passenger cars from outside the EU is
10 %. It is calculated from the
customs value:

• car price in China (invoice);
• + transport and insurance up to the EU port (e.g. Rotterdam);
• + some port handling fees if they are included in freight.

Duty is paid in euros when the car is customs cleared in the EU port.

5.2. VAT in different EU countries

After duty, you pay VAT in the country of import. VAT is charged on the
customs value plus duty. For private buyers VAT is usually
not refundable and becomes part of the final landed cost.

• Germany – 19 %
• Netherlands – 21 %
• Lithuania – 21 %
• Poland – 23 %

VAT is paid when the car arrives in Europe, is unloaded and customs cleared
at the port. You receive an invoice from your customs agency and pay in EUR
at the exchange rate on the payment day.

5.3. Example: local costs and excise in Poland

As an example of local registration costs, here is a simplified overview
for Poland. Other countries have their own schemes, usually based on CO₂
emissions, engine size or vehicle value.

6. Registration routes: Germany, Switzerland or directly at home

After customs clearance you have several options:

• Direct registration in your country. The car is trucked
  from Rotterdam / Bremerhaven to, for example, Poland, Italy, France or
  Lithuania and registered directly there.
• Temporary registration in Germany. In some cases it is
  efficient to register cars on German plates first (including insurance),
  then drive them to the final country and re-register.
• Registration in Switzerland. Switzerland has relatively
  simple plate issuance. After getting Swiss plates you can drive the car
  to your EU country and register it according to local rules.

Which route is better depends on the model, engine type, your country’s
taxes and whether the car will be used privately or by a company. Our team
can simulate several scenarios so you can choose the most efficient option.

7. New vs. used: what stays the same in calculations

For both new and used cars from China:

• vehicle search and inspection in China follow the same steps;
• export from China and ocean freight are calculated in the same way;
• EU duty (10 %) and VAT are applied equally to new and used imports;
• the main differences are in the car price and
  local registration taxes (some countries give extra
  incentives to new EVs).

To avoid surprises, combine this article with our separate

cost calculator guide
and always run a full landed-cost estimate before you sign a contract.