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

Duties, VAT, who can import, what gets in, shipping — and the DDP price of 28 popular Chinese models in South Africa, 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
• Used cars may only be imported from the US / Canada (USMCA); Chinese used cars cannot enter — new cars can
• Who can import: New cars: the importer (individual or company) must hold an NRCS Letter of Authority before clearance and registration; used passenger cars are closed to commercial import and only returning residents, immigrants, inheritance, racing / vintage cases may apply for an ITAC permit
• Left-hand-drive cars have not been importable since 2004, so a China-spec LHD car cannot be registered in South Africa; right-hand drive only
• Commercial import of used passenger cars is prohibited; the narrow exemptions need an ITAC permit plus an NRCS LOA and the car may not be resold (lock-in per the ITAC permit conditions)
• BEVs are inside the ad valorem excise (Schedule 1 Part 2B); the rate slides with the B value up to 30%, and VAT is charged on customs value plus 10% plus all duties

Tax rules and sources

Current SARS Schedule 1: Part 1 gives 25% general duty on ordinary 8703 cars including BEV 8703.80.90; Part 2B imported-car ad valorem rate (0.00003 x B - 0.75)% capped at 30%, BEVs included; Part 3D CO2 levy ZAR 146/g above 95 g/km on new cars ↗ official 2026-10-03
SARS SC-CF-55 Goods Declaration policy (14 Aug 2026): imported ad valorem value B = customs value x 1.15 + non-rebated Part 1 duty; VAT value ATV = customs value x 1.10 + non-rebated duties ↗ official 2026-10-03
SARS import VAT FAQ: 15% VAT on the ATV (customs value plus 10% plus duties) ↗ official 2026-10-03
South African Government service page: used vehicles may be imported only under the listed conditions, with a prior NRCS LOA and an ITAC import permit ↗ official 2026-10-03
South African Government LOA service page: an NRCS Letter of Authority is required before importing a new or used vehicle or registering a built / modified one ↗ official 2026-10-04
News24 (AA statement): LHD cars can no longer be imported; only LHD cars first registered in South Africa on or before 23 July 2004 may still be used, and cannot be re-registered on change of owner ↗ verified 2026-10-04

South Africa is right-hand-drive only: a China-spec LHD car cannot be registered. Used passenger cars are closed to commercial import; only returning residents, immigrants and similar ITAC-permit cases can bring one in. New cars pay 25% duty (BEVs too), plus a sliding ad valorem excise (B = 1.15 x customs value + duty, rate = 0.00003 x B - 0.75%, capped at 30%; about 14.4% on a USD 20,000 car, charged on ICE and BEV alike), and 15% VAT on 1.10 x customs value + duty + excise; new ICE cars also pay a CO2 levy (BEV 0). The excise, VAT top-up and CO2 lines here are estimated for one USD 20,000 car at ZAR 18 per USD and are marked as estimates. An NRCS Letter of Authority is needed before clearance; main port Durban.

Popular models: DDP price in South Africa

Model	Ex-works	DDP
BYD Seal 05 DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc	$10,710	$28,208
BYD Song Plus DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc	$14,790	$34,120
BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$15,096	$34,563
BYD Seal EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$21,420	$43,727
BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Smart Drive 1098 · Battery electric	$14,178	$31,722
BYD DolphinQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1098 · Battery electric	$14,617	$33,867
BYD Sealion 7Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$22,950	$45,944
BYD Han EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$22,440	$45,205
BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$17,850	$38,554
BYD Tang EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$30,600	$57,029
Geely CoolrayQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 668 MT · Petrol/diesel · 1,500 cc	$7,589	$23,684
Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,969 cc	$17,340	$37,815
Zeekr 001Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$33,660	$61,463
Chery Tiggo 8 ProExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,598 cc	$15,300	$34,859
Changan CS75 PlusQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Smart Champion Edition 1089 · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown	$11,730	$29,684
GWM Haval H6Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,998 cc	$13,770	$32,642
XPeng G6Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EV 625 Max Tech Edition · Battery electric	$24,888	$47,564
MG4 EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$18,360	$39,293
Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric	$30,600	$57,029
XPeng G9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · 625 Max · Battery electric	$34,578	$61,605
XPeng X9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EV 665 Max · Battery electric	$42,738	$73,429
XPeng MONA M03Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 540 Long Range Plus · Battery electric	$17,136	$36,331
AITO M7Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · 新M7 EREV Pro+ · Range extender · 1,499 cc	$39,282	$69,607
AITO M9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EREV Max+ 5-seat Edition · Range extender · Displacement unknown	$67,362	$110,295
MG5Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Mexico Edition · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown	$6,375	$20,415
MG7Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1379 · Petrol/diesel · 1,988 cc	$16,074	$35,978
Changan UNI-VQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2025 · 2nd gen 新蓝鲸 1169 · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown	$11,220	$28,945
Changan Nevo Q05Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1019 · Powertrain unknown · Displacement unknown	$14,280	$33,379