Klaipeda is the practical EU entry point for buyers in the Baltics, Poland, Ukraine and — by truck — Central Asia. The customs part is simple; the homologation part is where most first-time importers get stuck.
Type approval comes first
There is no age cap for import, but to register a car in the EU you need either:
- a Certificate of Conformity (COC) from a manufacturer holding EU whole-vehicle type approval, or
- an individual vehicle approval file, which means a national technical service tests the car after arrival.
Many Chinese models sold domestically in China are not EU type-approved, even when the same nameplate is sold in Europe. Ask us for the COC availability of a specific VIN before you buy — we check it at source.
Taxes
- EU import duty 10% of CIF (passenger cars)
- Lithuanian VAT 21% on (CIF + duty)
If you import into Lithuania and move the car to another member state, VAT treatment changes; use a customs broker who handles intra-EU dispatch properly.
Compliance
- Left-hand drive
- Euro V / Euro VI for registration
- EVs face the same duty; there is no EU-wide EV exemption
Documents
Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, COC or individual approval file, Export Declaration, plus the T1 if the car moves in transit.
Shipping options
Container on the North Europe rotation, usually 38–48 days. The China–Europe rail route via Malaszewicze can be faster (22–30 days) for containerised units and is worth pricing when timing matters.
Practical advice
Buy Euro VI, LHD, with COC confirmed in writing. For EVs check charging standard: GB/T on the car versus Type 2/CCS2 at European chargers — we supply an adapter when required.