Motor Vehicle Import and Export Guide
To import a car from China into the United States, you need to ensure that you meet the US safety and emissions standards that are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). While importing Chinese motor vehicles often incurs additional costs, it’s generally well worth the investment. China is the largest producer of vehicles in the world, with modern electric vehicles seeing significant adoption in Asia and Europe.
Figuring out the complicated logistical process and importing a car from China to the United States is challenging, unless you have a China freight forwarder like Twings Supply. In this article, we outline how you can import a car from China to the States, how much you can expect to pay, and how we can help you.
Key Takeaways
- To import a car from China to the USA, you need to ensure the car meets the USA’s strict regulations.
- You can use Ro-Ro or container shipping to transport your Chinese vehicle to the USA.
- Using a freight forwarder company can help reduce costs and headaches when you buy a car overseas.
Can you Import Chinese Vehicles into the US?
Yes, you can import Chinese vehicles into the United States. In practice, however, you’ll often find that many exports and imports will choose to avoid shipping Chinese vehicles, especially electronic vehicles, to the USA. Chinese EVs hava a significant tariff placed on them (100%) since September 2024, increasing from the previous 25% under Section 301.
As a result, companies in China will rarely export EVs to America. These tariffs also affect other Chinese exports like steel, aluminum, EV batteries, and minerals.
How do I Import a Car from China to the USA?
Process Explained
| Steps | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare Pre-Import | Before importing a motor vehicle, you need to acquire the necessary documentation and ensure the imported vehicle adheres to US emissions standards. |
| 2 | Purchase the Vehicle | Research the market for a quality Chinese car and an experienced dealer to procure your vehicle from China. |
| 3 | Arrange Transportation | Once obtained, arranging the transportation for importing cars from China can be done either using Ro-Ro or sea freight (container shipping). |
| 4 | Import Procedures and Compliance | A freight forwarder, from China to the USA, can help you with the complex logistical landscape of importing a vehicle from China to the US. |
| 5 | After Arrival in the USA | After customs clearance, you need to register your vehicle, obtain insurance, and ensure the emissions test is completed. |
- Prepare Pre-Import
As an importer to the United States, you will be tasked with procuring documentation and understanding several motor vehicle safety regulations. So, when importing goods from China to the USA, especially vehicles, the pre-preparation is extremely important. First and foremost is determining whether the car you’re importing from China will comply with all applicable emission standards from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the EPA. If it does not comply, you can still import it as a nonconforming vehicle that will require modifications by a DOT-registered importer and certification of compliance.
You will also need the following documentation for Chinese-made cars:- Bill of Lading
- Proforma Invoice
- Bill of Sale with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Foreign Registration
- EPA Form 3520-1
- DOT Form HS-7
Maritime DeclarationSome Chinese motor vehicles, particularly EVs, count as dangerous goods under the International Martime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and need you to have special certifications to be transported. One of these is a Maritime or Dangerous Goods Declaration. The main documents that you need for a Dangerous Goods Declaration are:
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- UN 38.3 test report
- Packaging certificate
- Purchase Your Vehicle
Once you’ve ensured that the car you plan to import meets US standards, and you have the necessary documentation, the next step is to purchase the vehicle. If you haven’t decided which car you’re planning to import, now is the time to conduct thorough market research for Chinese-made cars. As China is the global producer of vehicles, you have a wide range of options to choose from, including luxury SUVs and electric vehicles. Once your car has been purchased, ensure that you keep the purchase contract and export document requirements for importing your vehicle. - Arrange Transportation
When you ask how to import from China, in most cases the answer will be using sea freightFor the considerations of EVs during transportation, it’s important to know that the International Martime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code classifies EVs as a battery-powered vehicle as UN no. 3171. This is because of the inherent risk that lithium-ion batteries may have throughout transportation, including fire risks and leaks, as well as chemical exposure.
The most cost-effective method to ship your car is to use either RoRo or container shipping. Let’s explore what each option offers and what precautions your car may experience:
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)
Roll-on/Roll-off is the most effective method for shipping vehicles. Ro-Ro services are available from major Chinese ports like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Tianjin to U.S. ports such as Tacoma, Houston, and Jacksonville. You can expect to pay from $2,500 to $3,500 for Ro-Ro, with transit times between 25 and 45 days.
If your EV passes specific conditions and is transported via RoRo, it is classified as non-restricted cargo instead.
Container Shipping
Offers more protection as vehicles are loaded into containers. It’s suitable for high-value or non-running vehicles. A 40-foot container can hold up to four cars, providing exclusivity and added security, at a premium cost. When shipped using a container, electric vehicles are categorized as IMDG Class 9 cargo, which means that there is no separation between EV and other IMDG classes.
It’s important to consider the other shipments the EV is transported with, as other IMDG cargo like Class 2 (gases) and Class 3 (flammable liquids). Whenever possible, your EV shipment should be stowed away from other IMDG classes.
Considering how risky transporting a lithium-ion battery EV can be, you should aim to make reasonabl stowage arrangements based on how you’ll be transporting your vehicle. Stowing your EV on the deck, avoiding the outermost rows, and in shaded areas will help reduce the possibility of rough seas or high temperatures affecting your battery. - Importing Procedures and Compliance
In addition to transportation costs, you need to pay duties and taxes when you import cars from China. For imported vehicles, the import duties will depend on the type of vehicle you’re planning to import. Chinese EVs, for example, have a fairly steep import duty of 100% at the time of writing this article, but this may be subject to change depending on when you’re planning to import your vehicle. A customs entry bond is also required for each import, either as a Single-Entry Bond or a Continuous Bond for multiple imports within a year. Importing a car from China to the USA requires a lot of complicated logistics, documents, and navigating two different cultural barriers. Many importers choose to work with a customs broker and freight forwarder to ease the experience. - After Arrival in the USA
Once your freight shipping from China to the USA is complete, the final step to importing a car into the USA is post-arrival clearance. For this, you’ll need to register with the DMV, verify that your vehicle complies with US standards, and obtain insurance to drive on US roads. Thankfully, once your car arrives most of the hard work is done, and you can enjoy driving your Chinese car in the US after you manage the import regulations.
What are the Benefits of Importing a Car from China to the USA?
There are several benefits to importing a car from China to the USA, including:
- Lower purchasing price
- Affordable spare parts
- Wide range of models
- State-of-the-art EV technology
- Compact size
- Uniqueness
How much do I Have to Pay for a Car Imported from China?
| Car Category | Import Duty |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Imported Cars | 2.5% |
| Luxury Imported Cars | 2.5% |
| New Energy Vehicles | 100% |
| Special Vehicles | 2.5% |
The US has several import duties on imported vehicles from China, regardless of the shipping method used to bring them to the States. These are typically around 2.5%, with the exception of electric vehicles which have a much higher tariff.
To reduce the potential cost of importing a car from China into the USA, you should consider partnering with a freight forwarder company that can help you navigate the import process. Our team at Twings Supply has over 20 years of experience with air, sea, and door-to-door freight shipping services. Contact our team for a quote today!
How to Import Cars from China FAQs
Why doesn’t the US Import Chinese Cars?
The US doesn’t import Chinese cars, especially electric vehicles, as a matter of national security and to protect their own electric vehicle industry. Chinese EVs are made at a much lower cost than American alternatives, making it impossible for local businesses to compete with China’s EV suppliers if the US allowed imports into the country without significant tariffs.
What Car Companies Are Owned by China?
Volvo, Lotus, MG, Dongfeng, and NIO are examples of car companies owned by China. As the global leader in car manufacturing, China is home to several major motor vehicle brands that dominate the market overseas thanks to their affordable price.
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