How much does it cost to import a Chinese EV?

Short answer: The landed cost is the FOB price plus ocean freight, insurance, your country's import duty and port clearance — typically the FOB plus 20–45%.

The total cost to import a Chinese electric vehicle is the CIF landed cost, made up of five parts:

• FOB China — the vehicle price loaded at the Chinese port (from about $5,000 for a Wuling MINI EV to $45,000+ for a Li L7).
• Ocean freight — $1,600–$2,600 depending on the destination region.
• Marine insurance — around 1.1% of vehicle value.
• Import duty & taxes — the biggest variable, from 5% in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to 25%+ in Brazil.
• Port & clearance — roughly $550–$700.

As a rule of thumb, budget the FOB price plus 20–45% for the landed cost. Use our landed-cost calculator for an exact figure by model and country.