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

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

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Who can import and what gets in

• Age limit 10 years
• Who can import: Individuals and companies may import; a tax ID (IFU) is required and a licensed customs broker must file the declaration
• Pre-shipment inspection: PVI (Benin Control - AVD)
• Benin drives on the right: right-hand-drive cars cannot be imported or registered
• Used passenger cars for the local market must be no more than 10 years old
• Battery-electric cars need the maker's certificate of conformity and the battery safety data sheet
• New cars get a large customs-value abatement and are exempt from import VAT under the annual finance law — confirm it is still in force with a Cotonou clearing agent before quoting

Tax rules and sources

ECOWAS common external tariff: 20% base duty on passenger cars (HS 8703) ↗ official 2026-09-20
2026 finance law, art. 5: 99% customs-value abatement for new battery-electric cars (effective duty about 0.2%) and VAT exemption ↗ official 2026-09-20
2026 finance law: 90% customs-value abatement for new petrol/diesel cars (effective duty 2%) and VAT exemption ↗ official 2026-09-20
General Tax Code art. 285: 10% special excise on cars of 13 fiscal hp or more, on CIF + duty and levies ↗ official 2026-09-20
Standard VAT 18%; used cars pay it in full on CIF + duty + excise ↗ verified 2026-09-20
Decree 2008-745: used passenger cars for local use must not exceed 10 years ↗ official 2026-09-20
Clearance requires PVI verification by Benin Control and the AVD document ↗ official 2026-09-20
ANaTT registration fees vary by plate type and fiscal horsepower ↗ official 2026-09-20

Cotonou is the main maritime hub in Benin and a major transit gateway for West Africa. Used cars have a 10-year age limit and face around 40-50% effective tax burden (20% duty, 18% VAT, and ~2.3% levies). New vehicles, especially EVs, enjoy massive customs value abatements under the 2026 Finance Act and are exempt from VAT. Imports must obtain the PVI AVD certificate and comply with the strict LHD rule.

Popular models: DDP price in Benin

Model	Ex-works	DDP
BYD Seal 05 DM-i	$10,815	$18,286
BYD Song Plus DM-i	$14,935	$22,618
BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)	$15,244	$22,560
BYD Seal EV	$21,525	$29,049
BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)	$11,845	$19,048
BYD Dolphin	$11,330	$18,516
BYD Sealion 7	$23,062	$30,638
BYD Han EV	$22,550	$30,109
BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)	$17,938	$25,343
BYD Tang EV	$30,750	$38,581
Geely Coolray	$10,815	$18,286
Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)	$17,425	$25,235
Zeekr 001	$33,660	$41,587
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	$15,450	$23,159
Changan CS75 Plus	$13,390	$20,993
GWM Haval H6	$13,905	$21,535
XPeng G6	$24,600	$32,227
MG4 EV	$18,450	$25,872
Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)	$30,750	$38,581
XPeng G9	$34,680	$42,641
XPeng X9	$42,840	$51,072
XPeng MONA M03	$17,425	$24,813
AITO M7	$38,760	$47,666
AITO M9	$69,020	$79,480
MG5	$7,725	$15,037
MG7	$15,887	$23,619
Changan UNI-V	$12,360	$19,910
Changan Nevo Q05	$14,935	$22,241