← Importing a car from China to South Africa: full landed-cost guide 2026
BYD Seal EV to South Africa: what it costs landed
Reference ex-works price $21,420 (EXW, new car). Below: every step from the dealer's yard to a registered car in South Africa, computed by our rules engine — sources and verification dates included.
Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric
$43,727DDP delivered duty paid · per car· CIF $26,471· Sea/land freight reference $3,500 per car
Cheaper per car when several ship together — quoted per order
| Ex-works price | $21,420 |
| + Export handling (arranged by LandedCar) | $1,341 |
| = FOB | $22,761 |
| + Freight & insurance (insurance 0.8%) | $3,710 |
| CIF · per car | $26,471 |
| + Import duty 25% (BEV) | $6,618 |
| + VAT 15% (BEV) | $4,963 |
| + Ad valorem excise (sliding scale: B = 1.15 x customs value + duty, rate = min(30%, 0.00003 x B - 0.75%); about 14.4% of B, roughly USD 4,000 on a USD 20,000 car, same for ICE and BEV) (estimate) | $4,000 |
| + VAT top-up (VAT base is 1.10 x customs value + duty + ad valorem excise; this line is the 15% on the 10% uplift and on the excise) (estimate) | $900 |
| + CO2 environmental levy (BEV 0; new ICE cars pay ZAR 146 per g/km above 95, a 1.5L without a test certificate is deemed 195 g/km, about ZAR 14,600 / USD 810) (estimate) | $0 |
| + NRCS Letter of Authority (LOA) application fee ZAR 1,800 | $100 |
| + Roadworthy test + provincial registration and licensing (about ZAR 700–2,000) (estimate) | $75 |
| + Durban port handling per car (RoRo discharge / wharfage) (estimate) | $250 |
| = Destination taxes and registration fees subtotal | $16,906 |
| + Service fee (LandedCar) | $350 |
| DDP delivered duty paid · per car | $43,727 |
Recalculate with your own price → Reference price — change it in the calculator
Can this car get 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
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.
BYD Seal EV in other countries
UAEPortugal / EUKazakhstanKyrgyzstanSaudi ArabiaNigeriaKenyaGhanaMexicoPoland / EUGermany / EUUnited KingdomGeorgiaEthiopiaCôte d'IvoireSenegalItaly / EUSpain / EUFrance / EUNetherlands / EUBelgium / EUFinland / EUIcelandNorwaySweden / EUAustraliaNew ZealandTanzaniaCameroonBeninTogoBurkina FasoMaliGuineaSierra LeoneMauritaniaGabonEgyptMoroccoRwandaMadagascarUgandaMauritiusCzechia / EUAustria / EUDenmark / EUIreland / EUGreece / EUHungary / EURomania / EUBulgaria / EUCroatia / EUSlovakia / EUSlovenia / EULithuania / EULatvia / EUEstonia / EULuxembourg / EUMalta / EUCyprus / EUSwitzerlandUzbekistanArmeniaOman · SoharQatar · Hamad PortKuwaitBahrainPhilippinesVietnamChilePeruColombiaMontenegroIsraelRussia · reference
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Indicative figures: exchange rates, freight and tax rules change; what customs actually charges and the quote LandedCar confirms prevail. Free and not a basis for refunds or claims — see Terms.