Help Center
Import from China — FAQ
Everything you need to know about importing a vehicle from China to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East — including documentation, shipping, and customs clearance.
Importing Chinese Vehicles Worldwide
What is DriveSino?
DriveSino is a Netherlands-registered company specialising in importing vehicles from China to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. We handle the full process — vehicle sourcing, export documentation, shipping, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery for dealers, fleets, and businesses.
Can Chinese vehicles be registered in my country?
Yes, in most countries. We provide the Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, and all required export documentation needed for vehicle registration. Some European countries may require additional homologation — contact us to confirm requirements for your country.
What Chinese brands do you import?
We import vehicles from all major Chinese brands including BYD, Geely, Haval, Changan, GWM, MG, Chery, NIO, XPENG, Zeekr, and many more. We also source commercial vehicles including vans, trucks, and buses.
What are the total costs to import a vehicle from China?
Costs include: vehicle price (FOB China), export handling, shipping freight (varies by destination), import duties at destination (typically 5-35% depending on country), and customs clearance fees. Use our Total Cost Calculator on each listing for an instant estimate based on your country.
Export Documentation & Shipping
What is EU homologation and why is it needed?
EU homologation (type approval) is the process of certifying that a vehicle meets all EU safety, environmental, and technical standards. It is legally required to register and drive a non-EU vehicle in any EU member state. We manage this process so you don't have to.
How long does EU homologation take?
The EU homologation process typically takes 4–8 weeks depending on the vehicle model and availability of existing technical documentation. We handle all coordination with testing authorities.
What is a Certificate of Conformity (COC)?
The Certificate of Conformity (COC) is the official EU document certifying that a vehicle meets all applicable EU standards. It is required to register the vehicle in any EU member state. We provide the COC as part of our homologation service.
Do you handle battery certification?
Yes. Battery certification is available as part of our homologation service for vehicles requiring EU type approval. We manage compliance with UN R100 (safety requirements for EV batteries) and ECE R136 (electric powertrain safety) as required by EU regulations.
Shipping & Logistics Worldwide
Which ports do you ship to?
We ship to all major ports worldwide including Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Mombasa (Kenya), Durban (South Africa), Lagos (Nigeria), Dubai (UAE), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), and many more. We also handle ground transport from port to your location.
How long does shipping from China take?
Sea freight from Chinese ports (Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin) to destination ports varies: Africa 18-28 days, Middle East 12-18 days, Europe 25-35 days, depending on the destination and vessel schedule.
RoRo vs container — which is better?
Both options are available. RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) is more cost-effective and widely available. Container shipping provides additional protection and is recommended for high-value vehicles. We advise based on your specific vehicle and budget.
Do you handle customs clearance?
We handle all export documentation and customs clearance from China. Import customs clearance at your destination port can be managed with the help of our local partners in many countries.
Registration & Documentation
What documents do I need to register the vehicle in my country?
We provide a complete export documentation package including Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Export Customs Declaration, and Vehicle Title. These documents are typically sufficient for vehicle registration in most countries.
Can you help with registration in my country?
Yes. We provide the full documentation package needed for vehicle registration in your country. For European buyers, we can also arrange EU homologation services for an additional fee.
Are the vehicles inspected?
Yes, all vehicles listed undergo a comprehensive multi-point inspection covering engine, transmission, electrical systems, bodywork, interior condition, and mileage verification. Third-party inspection reports are available on request.
B2B, Fleet & Bulk Orders
Do you offer bulk pricing for dealers?
Yes, we offer volume-based pricing for dealers, fleet operators, and corporate buyers. Contact us with your requirements and we will provide a tailored sourcing and pricing proposal.
Can you source specific vehicle models not in your inventory?
Yes. For B2B clients, we can source specific makes, models, and configurations directly from Chinese OEMs and dealers. Minimum order quantities may apply for factory-direct sourcing.
Do you provide warranty on imported vehicles?
Warranty coverage depends on the manufacturer and model. Some Chinese manufacturers offer international warranties. We advise on warranty options during the procurement process.
Choosing & Trusting a Chinese Car
Are Chinese cars reliable?
Yes, Chinese cars have become increasingly reliable over the past decade. Major brands like BYD, Geely, Haval, and Changan now produce vehicles that meet or exceed international quality standards, often using components from global suppliers like Bosch, Continental, and ZF. Geely benefits from Volvo's engineering expertise, and BYD's Blade Battery has set new EV safety standards. Chinese cars are now exported to 80+ countries. Every vehicle DriveSino lists is inspected before export.
What are the best Chinese cars to export?
Popular choices include BYD (Atto 3, Han, Tang, Dolphin, Seagull — EVs), Geely (Monjaro, Tugella, Coolray — SUVs and sedans), Haval (H6, Jolion, H9 — value SUVs), Changan (CS35, CS55, CS75 — affordable and reliable), GWM (Poer pickup, Tank 300/500), NIO (ET5, ET7, ES6 — premium EVs), and XPENG (P7, G6, G9 — tech-forward EVs). Gasoline SUVs from Haval, Geely, and Changan are especially popular in Africa and the Middle East; EVs from BYD and Geely lead in Europe.
What is the best Chinese SUV to import?
It depends on your market and budget. The Haval H6 is China's best-selling SUV and offers excellent value in gasoline and hybrid forms. The Geely Monjaro uses a Volvo-derived platform with strong safety ratings. The Changan CS75 is affordable and well-equipped. The GWM Tank 300 is a popular off-roader in the Middle East and Africa. For most buyers, the Haval H6 and Geely Monjaro offer the best balance of price, quality, and features.
Are Chinese cars left-hand drive or right-hand drive?
Chinese cars are primarily left-hand drive (LHD), since China drives on the right side of the road — this makes them a natural fit for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, which are mostly LHD markets. For right-hand drive markets (UK, South Africa, and others), most Chinese manufacturers now produce RHD export variants. We can confirm RHD availability for specific models.
Shipping to Your Region
Can I import a car from China to Europe?
Yes. As a Netherlands-registered company, we ship Chinese vehicles to all EU member states plus the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and the Balkans, with export documentation, shipping to ports like Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp, and EU homologation support to make the vehicle road-legal.
Can I import a car from China to Africa?
Yes. We ship to East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam), West Africa (Lagos, Tema, Abidjan), Southern Africa (Durban, Cape Town), and North Africa, typically in 18–28 days. SUVs and pickups from Haval, Geely, and Changan are especially popular for African markets.
Can I import a car from China to the Middle East?
Yes. We ship to GCC countries — UAE (Dubai, Jebel Ali), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain — typically in 12–18 days, with GCC-spec models available on request for the region's climate.
What payment methods are accepted for importing cars from China?
We accept international bank transfer (T/T — Telegraphic Transfer) for vehicle purchases, backed by a formal sales contract before any payment is made. We don't accept credit cards or PayPal given the transaction values involved; B2B and bulk-order clients can discuss alternative arrangements.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is available via WhatsApp and email. We typically respond within a few hours.