Reference
FAQ - China EV Mart Docs
Answers to the most common questions about importing Chinese EVs — costs, duties, certification, timelines, and how to use China EV Mart.
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often from importers.
Costs & pricing
Why is the landed cost so much higher than the sticker price?
Because the sticker price is only the factory cost. On top of it, you pay standard import duty, a countervailing duty (in the EU), VAT/GST, ocean freight, customs clearance, certification, registration, and inland transport. These compound — you don’t add the tax rates, they stack on top of each other. See Landed Cost Methodology.
Is VAT recoverable?
Yes, for registered businesses. In the EU and UK, VAT-registered importers can reclaim VAT. In Australia, GST-registered businesses can reclaim GST. The duty and countervailing duty are permanent costs; VAT is often a cash-flow item, not a final cost.
Which market is cheapest to import into?
The Gulf (UAE) and Australia are structurally cheapest, because they apply low or zero import duty and no countervailing duty. The EU is the most expensive, driven by the producer-specific countervailing duty plus high VAT. See Cost Breakdown Example.
Why does the EU countervailing duty vary by brand?
Because it’s assessed per producer, based on the EU’s investigation into subsidies each manufacturer received. BYD pays 17%, Geely 18.8%, SAIC/MG 35.3%, and Tesla’s Shanghai plant 7.8%. The rate depends on whose car you’re importing, not the country you’re importing into.
Certification & legality
Is a Chinese-market EV automatically legal in the EU?
No. A vehicle built for the Chinese domestic market must be homologated before it can be road-registered in the EU. This typically means a national single-vehicle approval or Small Series approval, with possible physical adaptations. See EU Homologation.
How long does a first import take?
Budget 3–4 months end to end. The two long poles are ocean freight (4–8 weeks) and certification (2–6 weeks). It compresses substantially once you have a trusted supplier and a dialed-in homologation route. See Import Overview.
What’s the difference between CLTC and WLTP range?
CLTC (China’s test cycle) reports figures typically 15–30% higher than the WLTP figures European buyers expect. A car quoted at “600 km” may deliver closer to 450–500 km in real European conditions. Budget accordingly.
Using China EV Mart
Are the prices on China EV Mart real-time?
Our prices are benchmark estimates compiled at a fixed data date (shown on each page). Base prices come from our vehicle database; tariff and tax rates come from public authorities. Always verify current rates at the time of import, as trade policy can change.
What does “B2B import estimate” mean?
Our landed-cost figures model the cost for a business importing a vehicle — fleet buyer, dealer, or distributor — before retail markup. They are not dealer quotes, and they don’t include a local dealer’s margin or profit.
How do I get an exact quote for a specific vehicle?
The landed-cost calculator lets you pick a vehicle and destination to itemize a cost breakdown. For a binding quote on a specific trim and volume, contact us and we’ll work through the exact numbers.
Buying safely
What should I verify before paying a supplier?
Verify the supplier’s export license and the Certificate of Origin (COC) exists before wiring money. Confirm the exact trim, battery spec, and VIN availability. Consider escrow or a letter of credit for the balance. See Import Overview.
Should I worry about currency risk?
Yes. A multi-month import window exposes you to USD/CNY, USD/EUR, and USD/GBP movement. The Gulf (AED/SAR) and Australia (AUD) are pegged or more stable relative to USD, removing some of that risk.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Contact us and we’ll get you an answer.