Importing a Car from China to the United States

Importing a Car from China to the United States

Breeze Customs Blog

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hina’s automotive industry is booming, and the country has become one of the biggest automotive markets in the world. Manufacturers are constantly increasing production at their factories in China. This is partially to serve the growing population and partially to serve the growing demand for quality vehicles at affordable prices. Today, domestic Chinese vehicle brands such as Geely, BYD, Chery, and Haval have become household names in many countries around the world—including in the United States.

If you’re looking to import an affordable, luxurious car into the United States, it’s worth tapping into the Chinese automotive market. There are several reasons why this is a good idea. First and foremost, China has been a major player in the global auto industry for quite some time. In fact, China’s auto industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. In addition to producing cars at high volumes, China also has a favorable currency exchange rate, making importing from there very attractive for American consumers.

This article will take you through the requirements, costs, and steps to consider when importing a car from China to the United States.

The benefits of importing a Chinese car

If you want to import cars from China, there are a few things that you should know first. China has been progressing in the automotive industry, and its cars are increasingly becoming competitive in terms of design, durability, and efficiency. You might even find cars manufactured to meet or exceed the safety and emissions standards in the United States. While this might be helpful in the import process, other factors make importing a car from China attractive, including:

  1. Chinese cars are cheaper. A car in China can be cheaper than an American-made one, so you can save thousands of dollars even with shipping costs.
  1. Chinese cars come in various makes and models. You literally have hundreds of car models to choose from, and if you’re looking for something specific, chances are good that it will be easy to find.
  1. Chinese cars are often equipped with features only found on luxury vehicles here in the U.S., such as heated seats, navigation systems, and power windows.
  1. Chinese cars tend to be smaller than American models, making them easier to handle on narrow streets or crowded urban settings where parking spaces are often limited by size or location (such as underground garages).
  1. It’s possible to find rare and collectible car models that might not be available in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world.

Can I import a car from China to the U.S.?

Before you begin your import journey, you must determine first if the car you want is eligible for import from China to the U.S. As with all other foreign car imports, eligibility is based on whether your car conforms to the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the emissions standards and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

When importing a car from China, you must understand the import regulations and requirements. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have strict regulations in place for both imported vehicles and their parts. These rules ensure that all vehicles meet high safety and environmental standards and protect consumers from fraud. A customs broker can help you understand these import regulations and streamline your import process.

In most cases, the Chinese car you want to import may be a nonconforming vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a nonconforming vehicle as “a vehicle that does not meet safety standards set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) (as per the Motor Vehicle Safety Act), or that has been altered from its original design.” It also refers to a vehicle not built to EPA standards.

Because Chinese cars are not usually manufactured according to U.S. standards, you can import your nonconforming vehicle into the United States either by certification or by exemption:

1. By Certification

A nonconforming car can be imported if modified, tested, and certified by an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI).

2. By Exemption

The EPA and CBSA allow you to import a nonconforming vehicle temporarily – with EPA’s pre-approval – if it is imported for the following purposes:

  • Testing
  • Display
  • Repair or alteration
  • Non-residents
  • Competition/Racing

If it qualifies for EPA exemption, the car should be imported under a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bond.

What if my Chinese car is a classic or antique?

If the car you wish to import from China is older than 25 years, it may as well be exempt from meeting EPA and DOT requirements. Commonly known as the 25-year rule, the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 (IVSCA) exempts nonconforming foreign motor vehicles that are 25 years old or older (classic or antique) from the restrictions imposed by this Act. Moreover, If the car is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation.

That means that if you are importing an older car model, you will not have to go through inspections or compliance procedures. While this may sound like good news, it doesn’t mean that you can simply ignore the EPA and DOT requirements entirely. There are still other hoops you need to jump through before your car is allowed on American roads.

How much does it cost to import a car from China?

There are several costs to consider when importing a car from China into the U.S. These include:

  • Import Duties: Importing a car from China to the United States means paying duties and fees. The amount of duty depends on the type of vehicle, its value, and its age. The import duty for Chinese-made cars is 2.5%
  • Customs Bond: A customs entry bond is required for every imported vehicle. You can choose to obtain a Single-Entry Bond (for one-time imports) or a Continuous Bond (for multiple imports within 12 months).
  • DOT Bond (for nonconforming vehicles): Cars without a DOT certification label must be imported as nonconforming. In this case, you must register with a DOT-Registered Importer (RI) and post a DOT bond (the value of the bond should be 1.5 times the car’s dutiable value).
  • Gas-Guzzler Tax: Some imported cars are subject to the Gas-Guzzler Tax. The amount of the tax is based on a combined fuel-economy rating assigned by the EPA. The higher the fuel economy, the lower the tax, and no tax is imposed on cars with a combined fuel-economy rating of at least 22.5 miles per gallon.
  • Insurance: Once you import your car from China, you will want to purchase an insurance policy. That is because to drive in most states legally, you need to meet the minimum vehicle insurance requirements set by the state. When shipping your car from China, it’s also a good idea to have an insurance policy covering the shipping.
  • Brokerage fees: If you work with a customs broker, you will need to pay a small fee for their services. Most people who import cars from China prefer to work with a customs broker to guide them and help streamline the importation process.
  • Shipping fees: Chinese cars are usually imported by ocean freight. Shipping fees depend on the size of your car and the carrier you choose. If you have an auto broker or shipping company handle the shipping process for you, request an estimate on shipping costs before you commit to working with them. Otherwise, a customs broker can help you find the best shipping partner to import your car from China.
  • Licensing and registration: When your car arrives in the U.S., you will have to pay fees for its licensing and registration. The fees vary, depending on where you wish to register your car.

Are there trade agreements between the U.S. and China?

No, there are currently no trade agreements between the United States and China, and the U.S. does not exempt any products from tariffs when imported from China. This applies to cars as well.

What are the steps to import a car from China to the U.S.?

1. Determine your car’s eligibility

To import a car from China, you will first need to determine whether or not it qualifies for importation under U.S. regulations (both federal and state). For a vehicle to be able to enter the country, it must meet all of the safety standards set by NHTSA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also determines whether an imported car meets an acceptable level of emissions control for use on U.S. roads (known as “conformity” requirements).

2. Hire a customs broker

Most car importers prefer to hire a customs broker to help with the import process. A customs broker is a CBP-certified individual or company that specializes in importing cars and other goods from foreign countries into the United States.

We recommend working with a customs broker because they know all the import rules and regulations, have experience dealing with importing vehicles into the us and can help you navigate any potential pitfalls.

3. Ship your car from China to the U.S.A.

Next, you will need to find a shipping company that can handle the transportation of your car from China to the U.S. If you do not have an established relationship with a Chinese auto shipper, consider using an agent or customs broker who has experience in the field.

You will also need to choose a port of entry. There are more than 300 land, air, and sea ports in the United States. Choosing a port of entry that handles vehicles and is closest to your destination state is best. This interactive port of entry map provides detailed information about each port and its requirements. We recommend speaking to a customs broker to simplify the process and help you choose the most suitable port of entry.

4. Prepare your paperwork

Now that you’ve determined your shipping method and port of entry, you’ll need to prepare your import documentation. The documents required to import a car from China to the United States are:

  1. A U.S. Customs Proforma Invoice
  2. The carrier’s Bill of Lading (BoL)
  3. A Bill of Sale showing VIN
  4. Foreign Registration
  5. An EPA form 3520-1
  6. A DOT form HS-7
  7. Your Importer Security Filing (ISF)
  8. A Letter of Recall and Conformity from the manufacturer (if applicable)

You can either submit these documents to CBP yourself or have your customs broker file them on your behalf.

5. Pay the required duties and fees

Imported cars in the United States are subject to customs duty. The amount of duty you will need to pay depends on the value of your car. All foreign and Chinese vehicles are dutiable at the following rates:

  • 5% for cars
  • 25% for trucks
  • Either free or 2.4% for motorcycles

6. Get insurance for your vehicle

You will need to purchase insurance for your imported car. The cost varies based on the age and make of your car, where you live, how safe you drive and what kind of discounts you qualify for. It will cost more to insure a Chinese car than an American one. Insurance companies usually consider the following factors when calculating premiums:

  • The make and model of your car. Some cars are more expensive to insure than others. For example, a small car costs less than a large SUV.
  • Your driving records. Expect to pay more for insurance if you’ve had multiple accidents or speeding tickets.
  • Where you live. Some states have higher rates than others due to traffic congestion, the cost of living in the area, and other factors.

You’ll also need insurance on your vehicle while it’s being shipped from China to the U.S. Your customs broker can help arrange this in advance as well.

7. Register your car in the U.S.

Once you’ve submitted your import documentation and passed an inspection, you’re ready to register your vehicle with your state’s DMV and acquire license plates and permits.

For registration purposes, your responsibility as an importer is to establish that the imported vehicle conforms to import rules and regulations. You can do so by contacting the vehicle’s manufacturer and asking for a certificate of compliance with U.S. standards. Most manufacturers are already aware of the regulations and will issue a certificate of conformity when requested. You will need to have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on hand when speaking to the manufacturer since vehicles and their attributes are tracked with this number.

When U.S. Customs verifies that your vehicle conforms with EPA and DOT requirements, an informal entry (Customs Form 368) must be completed and submitted to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for registration. The process of acquiring plates and permits may be different from state to state, but in general, you will need to:

  1. Apply for a permanent vehicle registration
  2. Provide proof of insurance for your vehicle
  3. Pay any applicable taxes and fees associated with registering a new vehicle (these vary by state)
  4. Obtain license plates, which may be purchased from your local DMV location
  5. Obtain any necessary permits, such as a license plate sticker or emissions test certificate

How Breeze Customs can help you import a car from China

At Breeze Customs, we help hundreds of importers bring their vehicles into the United States every year without hassle. Starting with the process of checking your vehicle’s admissibility and ending with customs clearance, we’ll take all the work off your shoulders. Book a meeting with one of our Breeze Customs Concierges and we’ll take it from there.