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CAR SHIPPING FROM THE USA TO CHINA

Ship a Car from the USA to China: Ports and Quotes

Ship your car from any state in the USA to China door to door, by ocean container, with air freight on request. We handle pickup, US export documents and the booking to Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian or Guangzhou.

We ship door to door and port to port for private buyers, dealers and exporters, from our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, covering all of the US for imports and exports. Routing to China follows the sailing schedule and your destination port.

Common destination ports in China include Shanghai, Tianjin, and Dalian (routing depends on vessel schedules and your final delivery location).

Shipping options: shared container, dedicated container, air freight on request

Frequent exporter? Request wholesale container rates to China below.

Get a Car Shipping Rate to China:

West Coast Shipping

Why Choose West Coast Shipping for Car Shipping from the USA to China?

Our own team loads every car and handles every document: pickup, US export documents, the container booking and the handoff to your import agent in China.

Common destination ports for cars shipped to China include Shanghai, Tianjin, and Dalian (final routing depends on carrier schedules and your delivery region in China).

Our Comprehensive Car Shipping Service Includes:

  • International car shipping via dedicated and shared containers
  • Container shipping to Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian and Guangzhou
  • US export documents prepared by our own team
  • Wholesale car shipping solutions for dealerships
  • Loading services for sedans, SUVs, classic cars, and electric vehicles

Rates to China are quoted on request by our export team.

Get Your China Shipping Rate

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

Our own team loads and secures every car in the container.

Our team files the US export documents and clears the car for export.

In China, a licensed import agent clears the car with Chinese customs and takes delivery at the port.

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Export Locations

We export vehicles from our own warehouses in California, Florida, and New Jersey, with nationwide pickup available. We pick the departure warehouse based on your location and the destination port in China.

Learn more about our locations here.

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

Air freight is quoted on request for cars going to China. The flight is quick; documents and customs set the real timing.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles, running or non-running, and shared containers split the cost. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. RoRo is for oversized vehicles only.

RORO VESSEL

Have Questions?

monica

Schedule a Call with Our Export Team

Schedule a Call with Our Export Team

What Vehicles Can We Ship from the USA to China?

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Vehicles

Ship sedans, SUVs and pickups from the USA to China by container, with pickup anywhere in the US to our own warehouses.

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Motorcycle

We handle motorcycle export prep and loading in shared or dedicated containers for shipments to China.

Motorcycle
Importing_Electric_and_Hybrid_Vehicles_to_the_U.S._2025_Guide

Electric & Hybrid Cars

EVs may require special handling and documentation. We confirm routing and requirements before your vehicle is loaded for China.

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Race & Rally Cars

Low-clearance and performance vehicles benefit from careful loading and blocking/bracing inside containers for overseas transport.

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Classic Cars

China restricts permanent imports of classic cars; temporary entry for shows and rallies is arranged by your import agent. We ship them in dedicated containers.

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High-Value Cars

High-value cars usually ship in a dedicated container, so the loading date and the box are yours.

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Salvage & Project Cars

We can ship non-runners from the USA to China with the right loading plan and equipment at origin.

Heavy_Machinery

Heavy Machinery

We coordinate export routing for machinery shipped overseas by container (or other methods when size requires).

Oversized_Vehicles

Oversized Vehicles

Lifted trucks and oversized units may need special routing. Share the dimensions and we confirm the method for China.

CHINA CAR SHIPPING COSTS

Ports We Serve in China

Rates to China are quoted on request by our export team. The price depends on your US pickup location, the vehicle and the container: shared or dedicated, with air freight on request.

Additional destination charges in China are not included in the base shipping cost. These may include customs clearance, import duties, unloading, and local port fees.

Most vehicles ship by container to China. Shared containers can reduce cost, while dedicated containers give you control over loading and scheduling, which is what we recommend for higher-value cars.

We route to major ports in China depending on carrier schedules and your delivery region, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, and Guangzhou.

Shipping a new car? Your import agent in China confirms the compliance certificates it needs before we book the container.

Cargo Damage Protection is optional cover from our warehouse to the port in China.

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Quote for China

Send us your US pickup ZIP, the vehicle and the destination port in China, and our export team sends the rate and the next sailing.

SHIPPING TIMES TO CHINA

Transit to China depends on the departure warehouse, the Chinese port and the carrier schedule. Our export team gives the sailing dates with the quote.

From California, cars cross the Pacific directly; from New Jersey and Florida, the route is longer.

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

  • Vehicle Collection: Additional fees may apply for picking up the vehicle from its location before shipping.
  • Import Duties & Taxes: China charges import duty, VAT and a consumption tax set by engine size, and US-origin cars can carry an additional tariff. Your import agent in China confirms the total for your car before it sails.
  • Homologation Fees: Vehicles must meet Chinese import regulations, and modifications may be required to comply with safety and emissions standards.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

We accept wire transfer, ACH, check and Zelle. Read more about banking fees when paying from overseas.

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Ports We Serve in China

China Car Shipping Ports: Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian and Guangzhou

We ship vehicles from the USA to China through major commercial ports depending on carrier schedules, customs routing, and your final delivery region. Common China arrival ports include Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian and Guangzhou, each with different sailing frequency and destination handling requirements.

Most shipments to China route through the port with the next sailing and the shortest drive to your delivery region. Your quote shows what the ocean rate covers and what is paid at destination: terminal handling, port documents and the customs release.

Want a quote for shipping a car from the USA to China?

Calculate Shipping Cost

 

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Container Shipping Is the Primary Method for Cars Shipped to China

For sedans, SUVs, electric vehicles, and classic cars shipped from the USA to China, container shipping is the standard method: the car is enclosed and the container goes to the approved car ports. We would not ship a passenger car to China any other way.

RoRo Shipping from the USA to China: When It’s Available & When It’s Not

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping can be used for certain vehicle exports from the USA to China, but availability is route-specific and restricted compared to other destinations. Most passenger vehicles shipped to China move via container shipping, while RoRo is typically limited to commercial vehicles, heavy machinery, and fleet units operating on approved routes.

Unlike markets where RoRo is widely available, China maintains strict port, carrier, and import controls that limit RoRo access for standard passenger cars. For this reason, container shipping remains the usual method for exporting vehicles from the USA to China.

RoRo shipping to China may be suitable for:

  • Heavy machinery and construction equipment
  • Commercial trucks and industrial vehicles
  • Fleet or government-authorized shipments
  • Units that meet carrier, port, and import approval requirements

Need a RoRo price for your oversized vehicle or machinery?

Visit our RoRo Shipping Calculator or our RoRo Services Page for a quote.

Calculate RoRo Shipping Cost

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”
Alexander
San Francisco, California
West Coast Shipping

Vehicle Protection for Shipping to China

Protect your vehicle during international car shipping from the USA to China with Cargo Damage Protection. This coverage applies from the moment your vehicle departs our U.S. export warehouses through ocean transit and arrival at approved Chinese destination ports, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, and Guangzhou.

Standard U.S. auto insurance policies do not cover international vehicle shipping between the United States and China. If Cargo Damage Protection is declined, carrier liability is limited to $500 per package under COGSA (the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act), regardless of vehicle value.

We recommend full-value cover for classics, EVs and other high-value cars shipped to China, in shared or dedicated containers.

Learn More
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container-shipping

Wholesale Vehicle Export & China Shipping Solutions

We support high-volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers, and exporters with door to door shipping for shipping vehicles from the USA to China. From U.S. pickup and export clearance to container loading and overseas release coordination, our team runs repeat shipments.

  • Door to door shipping from any US address to China
  • Vehicle pickup and US export documents
  • Our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey
  • Vehicle and parts consolidation
  • Use our carrier bookings or your own
  • Ability to choose your own import agent when shipping dedicated containers 
  • Air freight on request
Explore Wholesale Solutions

Documentation Required to Ship Cars from the USA to China

Shipping a vehicle from the United States to China starts with US export documents and ends with China import rules. Below are the documents for a car leaving the US for China by container shipping. Your import agent in China confirms what Chinese customs asks for.

  • A Bill of Sale is required to prove ownership of the vehicle.
  • The Original Vehicle Title must be provided. If there is an active lien, a lien release letter is also necessary.
  • A Power of Attorney Form is required for both international residents and US citizens to authorize the export process.
  • International residents must provide a copy of a passport.
  • US citizens must provide a copy of an EIN letter from the IRS.
  • The Completed Online Shipping Form must be submitted. The Chinese import declaration is filed by your import agent in China.

Our dedicated export team reviews your paperwork, coordinates the U.S. export filing and port clearance, and confirms your car is cleared to load for China.

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Dedicated Export Team

Your account manager coordinates U.S. export clearance, document checks, and port procedures so your vehicle is cleared to ship from the USA to China.

Car Import Process in China

Shipping Cost & Duties

Shipping your car from the United States to China starts with US export documents, which our team prepares, and ends with import clearance by a licensed import agent in China.

Costs at the destination

  • Destination charges at the Chinese port are billed after arrival and are not part of the ocean rate.
  • Delivery inside China from the port is arranged by your import agent.

Import Duties & Taxes in China

  • Import Duty: set by Chinese customs for the vehicle type, plus any additional tariff on US-origin goods in force on the day of import.
  • Value Added Tax (VAT): charged on the customs value plus duty and consumption tax.
  • Consumption Tax: set by engine displacement, higher for larger engines.
  • An extra consumption tax applies to cars above a retail price threshold.

Additional Considerations

  • China restricts imports of used cars. Check with a licensed import agent in China before you buy a car for China.
  • Homologation requirements may require modifications to comply with Chinese vehicle safety and emissions standards.
  • Import restrictions vary based on vehicle type, and some older models may not be allowed entry.

Rates to China are quoted on request: send us the car and your US pickup ZIP.

Calculate Cost

Car Import Process from USA to China

Shipping a car to China works best when one team runs the US side: pickup, US export documents, loading and the ocean booking, door to door to the port in China.

Chinese rules decide whether a car can be registered: emissions, safety certificates, duty and customs documents. Your import agent in China confirms them; we send the US documents they ask for before the car sails.

China Car Shipping Service

Our China Car Shipping Service includes:

  • Door-to-door vehicle transport from any US location.
  • Dedicated containers for one or more cars.
  • RoRo for oversized vehicles and machinery on approved routes.
  • Air freight on request.
  • US export documents prepared by our own team.
  • Pickup anywhere in the US.
  • Chinese import rules explained before the car sails.
  • Enclosed containers for high-value cars and EVs.

Shared containers split the cost of the box between up to 4 cars. We run the US side, from pickup to loading and export documents; your import agent in China takes it from the port. Bought it at a US auction, or at an event overseas while the car sits in the US? We pick it up anywhere in the US and ship it door to door to China. It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.

Registering Your Car in China

After shipping your car from the USA to China, you must complete several steps to legally register and drive it in the country. Chinese import regulations require compliance with emissions, safety, and tax laws before your vehicle can be officially registered.

To register your vehicle, you need:

  • A foreign registration certificate and proof of ownership.
  • Customs duty and VAT payment records.
  • Approval from the local vehicle registration office.
  • Vehicle approval certificates to comply with Chinese import laws.
  • The original bill of sale, shipping documents, and an import declaration form.

Classic Car Restrictions

China restricts permanent imports of classic cars; temporary entry for exhibitions, shows and events is arranged by your import agent.

Additional Compliance Considerations

Chinese authorities require homologation modifications to ensure compliance with local safety and emissions standards. Adjustments may include upgrading headlights for Chinese roads, emissions system modifications, and other compliance updates.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping to China

How much does it cost to ship a car from the USA to China?

The cost of shipping a car from the USA to China starts at $1,600 per vehicle for container shipping. Rates depend on factors such as service type, container size, and vehicle condition. Additional costs may apply for Chinese import duties, customs clearance, and local port fees.

 

How long does shipping to China from the USA take?

The transit time for shipping a car from the USA to major Chinese ports like Dalian, Tianjin, or Xingang is approximately 17 days via container shipping. Air freight options can be faster, with estimated transit times ranging from 3 to 10 days, depending on documentation and customs processing.

 

What documents do I need for shipping a car to China?

To export a car from the USA to China, you need the original vehicle title, a bill of sale, a copy of your passport (for international residents), or an EIN letter from the IRS (for U.S. citizens). You also need to submit a Power of Attorney form and complete the online shipping form.

 

What taxes and duties apply when importing a car to China?

China imposes significant import duties on vehicle imports. The tax rate varies based on the vehicle’s engine size and type. New cars are subject to higher tariffs, while used cars are restricted unless the owner is relocating to China. Diplomats have fewer restrictions and can import vehicles duty-free.

 

What shipping methods are available for car transport to China?

The most common shipping method for cars to China is container shipping, with both single-car and consolidated shipping options available. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping is available at select ports but requires the vehicle to be in running condition. Air freight is the fastest but also the most expensive option.

 

Can I ship a classic car to China?

China does not allow permanent classic car imports. Classic cars can only be imported temporarily for exhibitions, events, and rallies. Many Chinese classic car collectors choose to store their collections overseas due to these restrictions.

 

Can I ship a motorcycle to China?

Yes, motorcycles can be shipped to China via container shipping or air freight. The most cost-effective method is shipping multiple motorcycles in a consolidated container. A custom crate may be required for air freight shipments.

 

Can I ship a car with personal belongings inside?

No, China does not allow personal belongings to be shipped inside vehicles due to customs regulations. All vehicles must be empty before being exported.

 

Is insurance available for car shipping to China?

Yes, cargo damage protection is available for shipping cars to China. Standard auto insurance policies do not cover international shipping, so it is recommended to purchase a comprehensive shipping insurance plan based on the vehicle’s value.

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