This is not a price list. It rebuilds one shipment line by line — goods, freight, insurance, duty, additional measures, import tax and local charges — so you can see which line drives the total. For context, this product family carries a planning duty band of 2.5% into the US. The sample below holds the product, condition and origin constant and compares three borders.
The worked sample
3 used passenger cars moving from China with $45,000 FOB value. Each line is modelled separately, so you can see where the money goes.
China → the US · used passenger cars · 3 units
| Cost line | Amount | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| FOB goods value | $45,000 | User provided |
| International freight (FCL 40ft) | $3,350 | Estimated |
| Cargo insurance | $218 | Estimated |
| Customs duty (2.5% × CIF) | $1,214 | Rule-based |
| Additional measures | $12,142 | Rule-based |
| Import VAT / GST (0%) | $0 | Rule-based |
| Statutory fees | $229 | Rule-based |
| Clearance, port, inland, docs | $1,130 | Estimated |
| Estimated landed total | $63,283 | $21,094 / unit |
Sample generated with engine 2026.11.1 and data reviewed 2026-11-01. It is not a quote, a classification or a customs ruling.
Same goods, three borders
Duty, import tax and additional measures differ by destination even when the goods and origin do not. This is the comparison to run before choosing an entry point.
| Border | Duty band | VAT / GST | Additional measure | Sample landed | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 2.5% | None | Section 301 tariff (China-origin vehicles) | $63,283 | $21,094 |
| UAE | 5% | 5% | None modelled | $53,000 | $17,667 |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | 15% | None modelled | $58,554 | $19,518 |
All three runs use the same goods value, quantity, packing density and sea mode. A real shipment will diverge on compliance, freight and local delivery.
What moves this number
- Vehicle age and condition
- Powertrain and battery handling
- Shipping mode and port
- Origin and valuation evidence
- Market-specific vehicle approval
Vehicle classification depends on propulsion, engine size and use. EV-specific measures are changing quickly. Vehicle approval, emissions, battery transport and homologation rules can dominate the cost. This category is a planning floor, not a reliable landed-cost answer.
Industry-specific parameters to set
These are the fields that change a passenger cars estimate. Set them in the calculator rather than applying a generic average.
| Parameter | Set it to | Why it moves the landed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Model year and first registration | Year, mileage, condition grade | Older vehicles can be restricted or refused at the border. Some markets cap used-vehicle age; the US applies a 25-year rule to non-conforming cars. |
| Engine or battery type | Petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV; battery capacity | The powertrain decides the HS line, and lithium batteries add dangerous-goods handling and shipping restrictions. |
| Condition and repair history | Running, repairable or salvage; accident record | Customs value follows the actual vehicle, not the new list price. A repair record changes both valuation and inspection time. |
| Assembly origin | Country of final assembly, not the brand | Origin drives preferential treatment and additional measures. A Chinese-built car shipped from China and a European car shipped from China are not treated the same. |
| Shipping mode | RoRo or container; port pair | RoRo is usually cheaper per unit for running cars; containers add packing, lashing and terminal cost but protect the vehicle. |
| Compliance file | EPA and DOT (US), SASO/SABER (Saudi), UAE inspection | Missing approval stops the car at the border. Compliance is a cost and a schedule risk that DDP quotes rarely absorb. |
Parameter effects are explained qualitatively; no rate is invented for a product line the data does not support. Run the estimate with your own values before committing to a DDP price.
Common questions
What does it cost to import a used car DDP?
The sample imports three used cars with a 45,000 USD total FOB value from China to the United States. Expected landed cost is $63,283, or $21,094 per car, before market-specific approval and registration.
Can any used car be imported?
No. Age, emission, safety and conformity rules decide eligibility before cost. The US applies a 25-year rule to non-conforming vehicles; other markets apply their own age and inspection rules.
How is a used car valued at customs?
On its actual transaction value in its actual condition, not the price of a new equivalent. Keep the purchase invoice, condition report and repair history together.
Is RoRo or container cheaper?
For running cars RoRo is usually cheaper per unit. Containers cost more but reduce exposure to damage and allow consolidated loads. Run both through the calculator before booking.
What is usually excluded from a DDP quote?
Vehicle approval and registration, testing, storage after free time, and any repair needed to pass inspection. Confirm these in writing before the car sails.
Related cost files
Planning estimates only. Duty and tax outcomes depend on the exact HS line, origin, customs valuation, origin rules and measures in force on the date of entry. FOBtoDDP is not a customs broker, freight forwarder or legal adviser. Confirm with a licensed broker before contracting.