Are there restrictions on which Chinese models I can import?

Restrictions on Chinese car imports vary by destination country. Common restrictions include:

• Age limits: Many African countries restrict imports to vehicles under 5-12 years old (e.g., Kenya: 3-8 years affects duty rates; Nigeria: 10-12 year limit)
• Emissions standards: EU countries require Euro 6d compliance; other regions have their own standards
• LHD vs RHD: Some countries mandate left-hand drive (most of Africa, Europe, Middle East — good news: Chinese cars are LHD as standard). South Africa, UK, and other RHD markets require RHD variants
• Homologation/Type approval: EU requires whole vehicle type approval; Saudi Arabia requires SASO/GCC certification
• EV-specific rules: Some countries have special tariffs or incentives for EVs — check before purchasing

DriveSino can advise on restrictions for your specific country. Browse our country import guides for detailed information.