How to export Petrol cars from the UK to China

Establish the import route and assess demand

For petrol and hybrid passenger cars, establish the exact model's Chinese classification and check its CCC coverage with the importer and certification partner before committing stock. The supplied CCC reference matches include cars, but confirm whether certification is required and when it must be obtained. These codes are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list, so build your sales proposal around an importer-led route. For fully electric models, see our guide to exporting electric cars to China.

Under HS 8703-8703 (11 subheadings): HMRC recorded £2.31bn of UK goods exports to mainland China under 11 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £3.11bn, -25.6%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £54.9m.

UK exports under HS 8703-8703 (11 subheadings): January to July 2026: £1.03bn against £1.53bn in the same months of 2025 (-32.3%). The largest listed UK export line was 87034010 under HS 870340, at £1.4bn in 2025. These are code totals; use them to assess market scale, not demand for your particular model.

Resolve CCC coverage before accepting an order

The supplied CCC reference matches name cars and include commodity codes such as 8703213010, 8703234110 and 8703241110. Match the proposed vehicle to the relevant entry with the importer and certification partner. Ask them to confirm whether the exact model needs certification rather than relying on a broad HS heading alone.

Where CCC approval is required, plan for months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides approval. Agree who supplies the vehicle information and who handles the certification work before promising shipment. Keep the brand's own filings with the brand.

Price against Chinese duty and import VAT

The listed MFN duty rate is 15% for Chinese tariff lines 87032130, 87032341, 87034011 and 87036011. Have the buyer's customs broker confirm the exact line for your model before using that rate in a quotation. Duty and import VAT add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

The VAT Law's standard import rate is 13%. Import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these cars. Agree a landed-cost calculation before negotiating the export price.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain an EORI number starting GB and classify the car under the correct UK commodity code. Give the declarant the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references for the online export declaration.

The carrier needs the invoice and any export licences or certificates. Agree with the buyer how the model details used for the UK declaration correspond to the Chinese tariff classification and CCC work, so both sides are preparing for the same vehicle.

Check the Chinese buyer before sending cars

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If a Chinese importer has already approached your brand, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export service to arrange that work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and other regulated roles stay with licensed partners in China, and the brand's own filings stay the brand's. For these cars, agree how the buyer and certification partner will handle the model's CCC requirements before shipment.