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New Chinese cars driving off a car carrier at a North Sea RoRo terminal

Europe · EU–China trade rules · Sea and rail

Chinese cars for Europe, new and used, shipped by sea or rail

The EU imported more cars from China in the first eight months of 2026 than in all of 2025. We supply left-hand-drive new and genuinely used vehicles to dealers, private importers and fleets, and quote on the duties and quotas in force.

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  • Monthly EU sailings
  • RoRo, container and China–Europe rail
  • 300-point inspection on used cars

1,105,239

Passenger cars the EU imported from China, January–August 2026

Already above the 1,011,563 of all 2025. Hybrids 43%, battery-electric 42%, combustion 15%. Eurostat data compiled by ECG.

€10.5 bn

EU new-car imports from China by value, first half of 2026

Up 70.5% on a year earlier, making China the EU’s largest source of imported new cars by value. ACEA, from Eurostat.

17.7 days

Average rail time, Chengdu to Małaszewicze (Poland)

Station to station, 118 trains in the 90 days to 24 October 2026; 90% arrived within 23 days. CDRD operating data.

The October 2026 EU–China agreement: what it means for your order

On 8–9 October 2026 China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held the second EU–China Trade and Investment Consultations in Beijing and published a joint list of 16 outcomes. Three of them matter to anyone buying vehicles from China.

  1. 01

    Hybrids and plug-in hybrids: a quota is coming

    Both sides reached “an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles in a WTO compliant manner”. The Commission says this will moderate China’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid exports to the EU through a safeguard. Press reports citing a Commission document describe 350,000 cars a year from about 1 December 2026, rising 6% a year from the second year, for four years. The legal act is not yet in the Official Journal.

  2. 02

    Battery-electric cars: the price-undertaking route stays open

    The two sides will continue company price undertakings and reviews in the anti-subsidy case. A maker whose minimum import price is accepted ships that model without the extra duty. So far the Commission has accepted one, for the CUPRA Tavascan, in February 2026.

  3. 03

    Dialogue, not escalation

    Both sides will keep exploring tariff cuts on certain goods under WTO rules, hold a ministerial video call in January and meet again in March 2027. Rules can still change between order and arrival.

What we do: before every hybrid or plug-in hybrid booking we check the quota status and the latest Official Journal texts, and your quote states the duty basis we used.

Duties and taxes on a car from China

Five layers decide the landed cost. The first three are EU-wide; VAT and registration are set by the country where the car is cleared and registered.

MeasureLegal textWhat it means for a car built in China
Customs dutyEU Common Customs Tariff, CN 8703 (TARIC)10% on passenger cars of Chinese origin, new or used. China has no free-trade agreement with the EU, so no preferential rate applies.
Extra duty on new battery-electric carsImplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2754In force since 30 October 2024 for five years, on top of the 10%: Tesla 7.8%, BYD 17.0%, Geely 18.8%, other cooperating makers 20.7%, SAIC and all others 35.3%. A model covered by an accepted price undertaking is exempt.
Hybrids and plug-in hybridsJoint Statement, 9 October 2026Outside the anti-subsidy duty; the 10% customs duty applies. A safeguard quota has been announced and is not yet published in the Official Journal.
Used vehiclesVAT Directive 2006/112/EC, Article 2The anti-subsidy duty covers new battery-electric cars. EU VAT law treats a car as new if it has been in use for six months or less, or driven 6,000 km or less. Customs decide whether a vehicle is new or used, based on registration and use evidence.
Import VAT and registrationNational VAT and registration-tax lawImport VAT of the member state where the car is cleared, at standard rates from 17% (Luxembourg) to 27% (Hungary). Registration taxes, CO2 charges and approval rules are national; see your country page.

Why Europe is buying more vehicles from China

The models buyers ask for

Plug-in hybrids, range extenders, large electric SUVs and MPVs from BYD, DENZA, XPENG, ZEEKR, Geely, Chery and others, many already sold through brand networks in Europe.

Equipment for the money

Battery, e-motor and software supply chains are concentrated in China, and that is where Chinese models compete: range, charging and cabin equipment at each price point.

Rules you can plan on

Duties are published per manufacturer, hybrids and combustion cars sit outside the anti-subsidy duty, and the October 2026 agreement keeps both sides on WTO procedures.

New and genuinely used

New cars are built to order through factory channels. Used cars come with a third-party inspection file and proof of real use.

Who we work with in Europe

One export team for three kinds of buyer. JCHCAR is an exporter, not a local dealership.

Dealers and importers

Stock for your forecourt, or a model the brand does not yet offer in your country.

  • Mixed RoRo or container lots, new and used
  • CoC or technical data for type or individual approval
  • Clearance and registration through partner brokers in six EU hub countries

Private buyers

You can import a car in your own name. We handle the China side and the voyage.

  • You are the importer of record; we export, ship and prepare the documents
  • You or our partner broker clear customs and register the car
  • We explain individual vehicle approval in your country before you order

Fleets and public bodies

Taxi, rental, corporate and public-sector fleets buying several units of one specification.

  • Quotes, document sets and technical files for tenders
  • Left-hand-drive EU-specification vehicles
  • Delivery terms and documents stated in the quote

Used vehicles: inspected, documented, genuinely used

EU buyers ask two questions about a used car from China: is it really used, and what condition is it in? Our standard answers both before you pay a deposit, with a video inspection of the actual car.

Inspector checking a used BYD on a lift in a vehicle inspection bay in China

  1. Legal export, not a disguised new car

    Since 1 January 2026 China requires a manufacturer’s service confirmation to export a car registered for 180 days or less as used. We supply cars registered longer than that, with an export licence that matches the registration certificate.

  2. Past the EU “new car” line

    EU VAT law treats a car as new up to six months in use or 6,000 km. We select cars past both thresholds and document the first-registration date and odometer reading.

  3. 300-point third-party inspection

    Certified independent appraisers check body, chassis, drivetrain, electrics and interior. You receive the full report with photos and video.

  4. No structural, flood or fire damage

    Any car with structural repairs, water damage or fire history is rejected before it reaches your shortlist.

  5. Mileage and history cross-checked

    Odometer, VIN, registration certificate and service records are checked against each other.

  6. Battery health for EVs and plug-in hybrids

    The report includes a battery state-of-health reading taken with diagnostic equipment.

Customs in the importing member state decide whether a vehicle is new or used. We prepare the evidence file: Chinese registration and deregistration certificates, export licence, inspection report and odometer photos.

Logistics: by sea or China–Europe rail

We book RoRo, container or rail and arrange onward delivery from the EU port or rail terminal.

RoRo car carrier

About 35–45 days to North Sea ports

Shanghai to Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Zeebrugge or Bremerhaven, currently routed via the Cape of Good Hope, which adds 10–14 days compared with Suez. South China to Mediterranean ports such as Genoa, Barcelona or Piraeus: about 30–38 days.

Container

Similar sea times

Suits used cars and mixed lots. Containers can continue by barge, rail or truck to inland terminals close to you.

China–Europe rail

About 18–24 days station to station

Chengdu to Małaszewicze (Poland) averaged 17.7 days and Chengdu to Duisburg 22.7 days over the 90 days to 24 October 2026. The northern route crosses Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus; border checks and sanctions screening can add time, so we confirm the route before booking.

Transit times are published carrier, forwarder and rail-operator data, not a delivery promise. Your quote names the route, port and estimated arrival.

How an order works

  1. 01

    Quote

    Tell us the model, quantity and destination. We reply with a quote that includes shipping to your EU port.

  2. 02

    Deposit & vehicle check

    Used vehicles: video inspection before you pay a deposit. New vehicles are built to order; the VIN and video follow when the car leaves the factory after the deposit.

  3. 03

    Export & shipping

    We clear China export customs, issue the document set and ship by RoRo or container.

  4. 04

    EU clearance & delivery

    Clearance and registration through partner brokers, then onward delivery to your country.

EU clearance & registration hubs

EU clearance & registration hub → onward delivery to your destination country

All EU countries we ship to

Ireland, Malta and Cyprus drive on the left (RHD) and are not covered by these pages.

Sources

Figures come from the sources listed and were checked on 30 October 2026. Duties, quotas and national taxes can change; the rules in force when your car is declared apply. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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