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.