Importing a car from China to Australia: full landed-cost guide 2026

Duties, VAT, who can import, what gets in, shipping — and the DDP price of 28 popular Chinese models in Australia, computed by our rules engine with sources and verification dates.

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Who can import and what gets in

⛔ Right-hand drive only: China-market LHD cars cannot be imported — needs the RHD version
• Who can import: Individuals and companies may import, but an import approval must be obtained before shipping (RVSA s 22)
• Import approval is required before shipping, otherwise the car is not released at the port
• A new car needs an Australian type approval or the single-vehicle register pathway — not every model can enter
• Zero tolerance for asbestos: a manufacturer's asbestos-free declaration is required
• Biosecurity inspection on arrival: the car must be clean inside and out

Tax rules and sources

An import approval must be obtained before shipping (Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 s 22: importing without approval is an offence and the car is not released from customs); a new car needs an Australian type approval or a single-vehicle / concessional RAV entry ↗ official 2026-09-20
Under the China–Australia FTA (ChAFTA) Chinese-origin passenger cars (8703) are duty-free with a certificate of origin; otherwise the general rate is 5%. GST 10% on customs value + duty + international freight and insurance ↗ official 2026-09-20
Luxury Car Tax 33%: (GST-inclusive value above the threshold) × 10/11 × 33%. FY2026-27 thresholds: fuel-efficient cars (≤3.5 L/100 km combined — BEVs and most PHEVs) A$91,661, all others A$80,809 ↗ official 2026-09-20
Zero tolerance for asbestos: any vehicle containing asbestos is prohibited, and overseas ‘asbestos-free’ certificates are not accepted at face value; on arrival the Department of Agriculture inspects the car, which must be clean inside and out (no soil or seeds) ↗ official 2026-09-20

Right-hand-drive market: Chinese domestic left-hand-drive cars cannot be registered. An import approval is required before shipping; a new car must either already hold an Australian type approval or go through the single-vehicle register pathway, so not every model can enter. Chinese-origin cars are duty-free with a certificate of origin (otherwise 5%), GST 10%, plus 33% Luxury Car Tax on the GST-inclusive value above the threshold (higher threshold for EVs and low-consumption cars).

Popular models: DDP price in Australia

Model	Ex-works	DDP
BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)	$15,244	$26,264
BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)	$11,845	$22,507
BYD Sealion 7	$23,062	$34,907
BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)	$17,938	$29,242
BYD Tang EV	$30,750	$43,406
XPeng G6	$24,600	$36,607
Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)	$30,750	$43,406
XPeng G9	$34,680	$47,751
Changan Nevo Q05	$14,935	$25,923
BYD Seal EV	$21,525	$33,208
BYD Han EV	$22,550	$34,341
Zeekr 001	$33,660	$46,623
MG4 EV	$18,450	$29,808
XPeng MONA M03	$17,425	$28,675
BYD Dolphin	$11,330	$21,937
XPeng X9	$42,840	$56,772
BYD Song Plus DM-i	$14,935	$25,923
BYD Seal 05 DM-i	$10,815	$21,368
Geely Coolray	$10,815	$21,368
Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)	$17,425	$28,675
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	$15,450	$26,492
Changan CS75 Plus	$13,390	$24,215
GWM Haval H6	$13,905	$24,784
MG5	$7,725	$17,952
MG7	$15,887	$26,975
Changan UNI-V	$12,360	$23,076
AITO M7	$38,760	$52,261
AITO M9	$69,020	$92,094