{
  "source": "China Car Price Index",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "updated": "June 2026",
  "disclaimer": "Import duty, VAT and clearing figures are indicative planning estimates, not quotes. Confirm live rates with a licensed customs broker.",
  "documentation": "https://chinacarprices.com/data",
  "count": 14,
  "markets": [
    {
      "slug": "uae",
      "country": "United Arab Emirates",
      "region": "Middle East (GCC)",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 5,
      "clearingUsd": 700,
      "freightUsd": 700,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "GCC spec (ESMA / RTA)",
      "importVolume2024": 95000,
      "note": "The region's main re-export hub. Jebel Ali (Dubai) is the primary entry point and many traders clear here before moving cars across the GCC and into Africa and CIS."
    },
    {
      "slug": "saudi-arabia",
      "country": "Saudi Arabia",
      "region": "Middle East (GCC)",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 15,
      "clearingUsd": 900,
      "freightUsd": 850,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": 5,
      "specStandard": "GCC spec + SASO / SABER",
      "importVolume2024": 120000,
      "note": "The largest GCC car market. SABER/SASO conformity certificates are mandatory and enforced; cars must be GCC-spec with Arabic documentation."
    },
    {
      "slug": "qatar",
      "country": "Qatar",
      "region": "Middle East (GCC)",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 0,
      "clearingUsd": 800,
      "freightUsd": 800,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "GCC spec",
      "importVolume2024": 22000,
      "note": "High-income, GCC-spec market with no VAT. Strong demand for well-equipped SUVs and premium EVs."
    },
    {
      "slug": "kuwait",
      "country": "Kuwait",
      "region": "Middle East (GCC)",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 0,
      "clearingUsd": 750,
      "freightUsd": 800,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": 5,
      "specStandard": "GCC spec",
      "importVolume2024": 30000,
      "note": "No VAT and a 5% unified GCC tariff. Hot climate makes GCC-spec cooling and heat-tolerant batteries essential."
    },
    {
      "slug": "oman",
      "country": "Oman",
      "region": "Middle East (GCC)",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 5,
      "clearingUsd": 700,
      "freightUsd": 800,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "GCC spec",
      "importVolume2024": 18000,
      "note": "Sohar and Salalah ports support trans-shipment. GCC-spec required; growing appetite for value SUVs and pickups."
    },
    {
      "slug": "iraq",
      "country": "Iraq",
      "region": "Middle East",
      "importDutyPct": 15,
      "vatPct": 0,
      "clearingUsd": 1100,
      "freightUsd": 950,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "Local / GCC spec accepted",
      "importVolume2024": 60000,
      "note": "Large, price-sensitive market accessed via Umm Qasr or overland from the UAE/Jordan. Rugged ICE SUVs and pickups dominate."
    },
    {
      "slug": "egypt",
      "country": "Egypt",
      "region": "North Africa",
      "importDutyPct": 40,
      "vatPct": 14,
      "clearingUsd": 1200,
      "freightUsd": 1100,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": 1,
      "specStandard": "New only (current model year)",
      "importVolume2024": 35000,
      "note": "High duties on ICE cars (EVs are favoured with lower rates). Strict new-only rule. Local assembly incentives are reshaping the market."
    },
    {
      "slug": "russia",
      "country": "Russia",
      "region": "CIS / Eastern Europe",
      "importDutyPct": 15,
      "vatPct": 20,
      "clearingUsd": 1500,
      "freightUsd": 1300,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "EAC / GOST + utilization fee",
      "importVolume2024": 900000,
      "note": "The #1 destination for Chinese cars after Western brands exited. A large recycling/utilization fee applies on top of duty and VAT."
    },
    {
      "slug": "mexico",
      "country": "Mexico",
      "region": "Latin America",
      "importDutyPct": 20,
      "vatPct": 16,
      "clearingUsd": 1100,
      "freightUsd": 1600,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "NOM compliance",
      "importVolume2024": 450000,
      "note": "A booming Chinese-brand market and a gateway to Latin America. NOM certification and Spanish documentation required."
    },
    {
      "slug": "chile",
      "country": "Chile",
      "region": "Latin America",
      "importDutyPct": 6,
      "vatPct": 19,
      "clearingUsd": 900,
      "freightUsd": 1800,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "Low-emission certificate",
      "importVolume2024": 70000,
      "note": "Open, low-tariff market (China FTA) and a long-standing testbed for new Chinese brands in Latin America."
    },
    {
      "slug": "nigeria",
      "country": "Nigeria",
      "region": "Sub-Saharan Africa",
      "importDutyPct": 35,
      "vatPct": 7.5,
      "clearingUsd": 1400,
      "freightUsd": 1500,
      "driveSide": "LHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "SONCAP certificate",
      "importVolume2024": 25000,
      "note": "High combined duty + levy. SONCAP conformity required. Durable, easy-to-service ICE vehicles preferred."
    },
    {
      "slug": "south-africa",
      "country": "South Africa",
      "region": "Sub-Saharan Africa",
      "importDutyPct": 25,
      "vatPct": 15,
      "clearingUsd": 1000,
      "freightUsd": 1400,
      "driveSide": "RHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "NRCS / SABS homologation",
      "importVolume2024": 40000,
      "note": "Major right-hand-drive market and RHD hub for the region. Homologation via NRCS; strong demand for value SUVs and bakkies."
    },
    {
      "slug": "australia",
      "country": "Australia",
      "region": "Oceania",
      "importDutyPct": 5,
      "vatPct": 10,
      "clearingUsd": 1300,
      "freightUsd": 1200,
      "driveSide": "RHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "ADR + RAWS/full volume approval",
      "importVolume2024": 190000,
      "note": "Mature RHD market with strict ADR compliance. MG, BYD, Chery and GWM sell strongly. New-vehicle approval is demanding."
    },
    {
      "slug": "thailand",
      "country": "Thailand",
      "region": "Southeast Asia",
      "importDutyPct": 80,
      "vatPct": 7,
      "clearingUsd": 900,
      "freightUsd": 900,
      "driveSide": "RHD",
      "maxAgeYears": null,
      "specStandard": "TIS + local EV incentives",
      "importVolume2024": 80000,
      "note": "Very high CBU duty pushes brands toward local assembly, but EV incentives have made it a Chinese-EV stronghold. RHD market."
    }
  ]
}