How much does it cost to import a car from China? The short answer: the vehicle price is usually 60–80% of what you pay, and the remaining 20–40% is freight, duty, VAT and clearance. Below is the full breakdown.
1. FOB price (the car itself) FOB means the car is delivered, cleared for export and loaded at a Chinese port. Used Chinese EVs such as a BYD Dolphin start around USD 9,000 FOB; a BYD Atto 3 or Changan CS75 Plus runs USD 11,000–18,000; a used XPeng P7 or BYD Han EV is typically USD 16,000–28,000.
2. Ocean freight Container shipping costs roughly USD 900–1,600 per car when two units share a 40ft container, and USD 1,600–2,600 for a single unit in a 20ft container. RoRo is often cheaper for non-EVs but is not available on every route. Transit is 18–24 days to Jebel Ali, 25–32 days to Mombasa or Durban, and 30–40 days to West Africa and the Baltic.
3. Marine insurance Budget 0.5–1.2% of the CIF value. For a USD 15,000 car that is roughly USD 75–180.
4. Import duty and taxes This is where markets differ most. Kenya applies import duty, excise and VAT on a customs value that uses the KRA CRSP schedule, which commonly totals 60–90% of the vehicle value. The UAE applies about 5% duty plus 5% VAT. South Africa applies duty plus ad valorem plus 15% VAT. Always confirm the current rate with your clearing agent before you pay a deposit.
5. Port and clearance costs Terminal handling, agency fees, storage and inland delivery typically add USD 300–900 depending on the port and how quickly you clear.
Worked example: a USD 14,000 FOB Changan CS75 Plus to Mombasa Freight USD 1,300, insurance USD 130, so CIF is about USD 15,430. Kenyan duty, excise and VAT on that value often land near USD 11,000–13,000, and clearance plus inland delivery around USD 700. Total landed cost is roughly USD 27,000–29,000.
How to reduce the cost Consolidate two cars into one 40ft container, choose a model with a lower engine capacity where excise is engine-based, and buy a unit that is inspected before payment so you are not paying to ship hidden damage. You can model your own numbers with the landed-cost calculator on any vehicle page.