The short answer is no, and it is worth having it plainly rather than hedged. Private individuals cannot import a used car into mainland China as part of a household move, and even if they could, a British car has a second problem that no paperwork solves.
We are telling you this rather than quoting for it, because a firm that takes a booking for something that cannot be delivered is not doing you any favours. Movers who work China say the same thing, and international movers elsewhere confirm it. Plan the relocation without the car, and spend the packing budget on what can actually travel.
The second problem is the steering wheel. China drives on the right and requires left hand drive vehicles for registration. A UK car is right hand drive, which makes it unregisterable regardless of the import position.
There are two problems here and each one alone would be enough. Together they close the question.
The import position. China does not permit private individuals to import used vehicles. This is not a matter of paying enough duty or finding the right agent. New vehicles enter through licensed importers meeting certification requirements, which is a commercial process and not one a household move can use. Narrow exceptions exist for certain diplomatic and official categories, and if one of those applies to you, you will already know.
The steering wheel. China drives on the right and requires left hand drive vehicles for road registration. A British car is right hand drive. Even in a hypothetical world where the import were allowed, the vehicle could not be registered, insured or legally driven. This catches people who have found a workaround for the first problem and assume the rest follows.
On cost, for completeness. If you were importing a new left hand drive vehicle through the proper commercial channel, the combined duty, consumption tax and value added tax would be substantial, frequently a large fraction of the vehicle's value again. That is why imported cars are expensive in China and why almost everyone buys domestically.
Classic and collector cars are sometimes assumed to be different. They are not. Age does not create an exemption and in some respects makes matters harder, since older vehicles meet no current emissions or certification standard.
Temporary import for touring exists as a separate arrangement involving permits, approved routes and often an accompanying guide. It is not relevant to moving house and it does not lead to registration.
Since shipping is not an option, the real question is what happens to the money. For most people selling in the UK and buying in China works out better than they expect, because domestic Chinese vehicles are competitively priced.
Money in hand
The straightforward option, and what most people do.
Competitive pricing
Wide choice, and registration is possible.
Storage plus upkeep
Only sensible for a short posting with a fixed end date.
The car stays behind, but everything else can go. Tell us what you are shipping and we will price the rest of the move.
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Since the car is staying behind, the useful question is what you do about transport once you land.
Your licence. A UK driving licence does not permit you to drive in mainland China. International Driving Permits are not recognised either. You need a Chinese licence, which involves a conversion process including a written test. It is manageable but it takes time, so start it once your residence permit is sorted.
Buying locally. The Chinese domestic market is large and competitive, and the price of a comparable vehicle is often lower than people expect. Registration, insurance and plates are handled through the normal process for residents.
Number plate restrictions. Several large cities, Beijing and Shanghai among them, restrict the issue of registration plates through lotteries or auctions. In Shanghai a plate can cost a substantial sum in its own right. This is worth researching before you commit to buying, because it varies by city and it changes.
Whether you need a car at all. This is the question worth asking honestly. Metro systems in the large Chinese cities are extensive, cheap and reliable. Ride hailing is inexpensive and universal. A significant number of foreign residents in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou never buy a car and do not miss it.
Motorbikes and scooters. Many cities restrict petrol motorbikes in the centre. Electric scooters are ubiquitous and cheap, and for shorter distances they are what a lot of people actually use.
Bicycles and electric scooters are a different matter and generally travel without difficulty.
A move usually means moving money too, whether that is a deposit on a Chinese flat or funds coming back the other way. We have helped customers with currency exchange in any currency through trusted partners for many years, and our partners can help with the money side of your move. Mention it on the form and it gets included.
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No. Private individuals cannot import used vehicles into mainland China as part of a household move. New vehicles enter through licensed commercial importers meeting certification requirements, which is not a route a household move can use.
It is not a question of duty. The private import of used vehicles is closed rather than expensive, so there is no figure that opens it. Narrow exceptions exist for certain diplomatic and official categories, and if one applied to you, you would already know.
China drives on the right and requires left hand drive vehicles for road registration. A British car is right hand drive, so even if the import position were different, the vehicle could not be registered, insured or legally driven.
The same position, and in some respects harder. Age creates no exemption, and older vehicles meet no current emissions or certification standard. Value, rarity and low mileage make no difference to the import rules.
No, motorbikes and mopeds face the same position as cars. Many Chinese cities also restrict petrol motorbikes in central areas, so even a locally bought one may be less useful than you expect.
No, and an International Driving Permit is not recognised either. You need a Chinese licence, obtained through a conversion process that includes a written test. Start it once your residence permit is sorted, because it takes time.
The buying part is. The complication is registration plates, which several large cities restrict through lotteries or auctions. In Shanghai a plate can cost a substantial sum in its own right, so research your specific city before committing.
Often not. Metro systems in the large cities are extensive, cheap and reliable, and ride hailing is inexpensive and universal. A significant number of foreign residents in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou never buy a car.
Both are fine. Bicycles ship without difficulty as part of a household consignment, and electric scooters are cheap and ubiquitous in China. For shorter distances they are what a great many residents actually use.
Send your collection address, your Chinese destination, a rough idea of the volume and your date. A vetted mover from our network checks the route, the paperwork and the access, then comes back to you with the price.
Send your move detailsWe match international moving enquiries with vetted moving companies in the AGM Group network, each holding FIDI FAIM certification and BAR Overseas membership.
We are not a removal firm ourselves. We find you the one that suits your route, and you deal with them directly from there.