Importing a car from Austria to China
Everything for this route: what China charges, how the car gets there and what to arrange in Austria — with the calculator preset for this route.
Taxes
Registration & paperwork
Not included: the licence plate quota (Shanghai auction ¥90,000+, Beijing lottery), insurance and the annual vehicle & vessel tax.
Registration tax by CO₂ band
| CO₂ g/km | General | Canarias | Increased* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 120 | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % |
| 121 – 159 | 4,75 % | 3,75 % | 4,75 % |
| 160 – 199 | 9,75 % | 8,75 % | 9,75 % |
| ≥ 200 | 14,75 % | 13,75 % | 15 – 16 % |
* Asturias, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia: 16 %; Cantabria 15 %; Murcia 15.9 %. Ceuta and Melilla: 0 % in every band.
Hacienda depreciation table (Orden HAC/1501/2025)
| Age | Value | Age | Value |
|---|
Transport from Austria to China
Indicative costs and durations for the usual ways to move a car on this route. Enter a real quote in the calculator for your own figure.
| Option | Cost | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo ship (drive on, drive off) | CN¥15,000–CN¥25,000 | 37–52 days | Vienna → Bremerhaven → Shanghai |
| Container ship | CN¥17,000–CN¥29,000 | 40–57 days | via Hamburg → Shanghai |
Worked examples: Austria → China
Two typical cars, calculated with this tool for a purchase in Austria. Change any detail in the calculator above to see your own figure.
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI (petrol), 2023, 60,000 km, 125 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: CN¥171,600 · Transport (indicative): CN¥15,000–CN¥25,000
| Import tariff | CN¥28,740 |
| Consumption tax | CN¥6,815 |
| VAT 13 % | CN¥29,530 |
| Vehicle purchase tax | CN¥22,715 |
| Inspection & environmental test | CN¥2,000 |
| CCC certification & customs broker | CN¥30,000 |
| Registration & plates | CN¥500 |
| Number plates | CN¥0 |
Taxes & fees on top: CN¥120,300
BMW X5 xDrive30d (diesel), 2021, 90,000 km, 185 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: CN¥374,400 · Transport (indicative): CN¥15,000–CN¥25,000
| Import tariff | CN¥59,160 |
| Consumption tax | CN¥61,849 |
| VAT 13 % | CN¥67,003 |
| Vehicle purchase tax | CN¥51,541 |
| Inspection & environmental test | CN¥2,000 |
| CCC certification & customs broker | CN¥30,000 |
| Registration & plates | CN¥500 |
| Number plates | CN¥0 |
Taxes & fees on top: CN¥272,053
Taxes and fees in China for a car from Austria
New cars only: China does not allow the import of used cars. 15 % MFN tariff on the CIF value, consumption tax by engine size, 13 % VAT and 10 % purchase tax at registration.
Buying the car in Austria
Austrian used cars are known for good service histories, garaged winters and strict annual inspections (§ 57a 'Pickerl'). Prices are close to German levels but the choice is smaller; willhaben.at and AutoScout24.at are the main marketplaces, and many dealers export to Germany and Eastern Europe routinely.
Cars bought in Austria carry the NoVA (registration tax); for used cars there is no NoVA refund on export, so the price you pay is the price. For the drive home you need Überstellungskennzeichen (blue transfer plates, valid up to 21 days) from the Landesregierung or a Zulassungsstelle, plus insurance and a valid Pickerl.
Documents to collect in Austria
- Zulassungsbescheinigung (Teil I and Teil II) and Typenschein or COC
- Kaufvertrag / Rechnung with VAT status
- Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration) and, if driven, the Überstellungskennzeichen
- Latest § 57a Pickerl report
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to transport a car from Austria to China?
RoRo ship (drive on, drive off): 37–52 days (Vienna → Bremerhaven → Shanghai) · Container ship: 40–57 days (via Hamburg → Shanghai)
Do I pay customs duty or VAT when importing a car from Austria to China?
New cars only: China does not allow the import of used cars. 15 % MFN tariff on the CIF value, consumption tax by engine size, 13 % VAT and 10 % purchase tax at registration.
What does it cost to import a car from Austria to China?
For a 3-year-old Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI the taxes and fees in China come to about CN¥120,300; for a 5-year-old BMW X5 xDrive30d about CN¥272,053 — transport from Austria not included. Calculated with this tool; the calculator above gives the figure for your own car.
Import into China from another country
Import from Austria to another country
These guides describe the usual procedure as of September 2026 and are indicative. Rules, fees and deadlines change and vary by region and office; carimportcalculator.com accepts no liability for decisions based on them. Confirm the steps with the authority named in each guide or a licensed agent before you buy.