Common charges beyond the car price: pre-shipment inspection fee, inland trucking from the car's city to the port, export customs clearance, documentation fee, terminal handling charges (THC), certificate fees, and markups hidden inside the freight quote. How to protect yourself: ask for an itemized quotation with each charge listed separately; compare 2-3 exporters, because a very low car price is often offset by inflated fees; confirm which costs are included up to the port of loading and which you pay at destination; agree in writing on the payment currency and the exchange rate date. Your total budget should be: car price + export fees + freight + insurance + destination port charges + import duties and taxes.

Used cars are classified under HS heading 8703 (motor vehicles for transport of persons), with the last four digits determined by engine type and size. Gasoline cars usually fall in 8703.21–8703.80 depending on displacement; pure EVs fall under 8703.80; hybrids have their own subheadings. The duty amount depends on your country's tariff schedule: 1. Most countries charge duty on the CIF value (car price + freight + insurance), not the FOB price. 2. Many developing markets levy higher duties on used vehicles than new ones, and some add a surcharge based on age — older cars can cost significantly more to clear. 3. After duty, you typically pay VAT/GST on the CIF + duty total, plus port and customs fees. Practical tips: ask your exporter to state the exact HS code on the commercial invoice and confirm it with a local customs broker before shipping. A wrong code can trigger reclassification, penalties, or delays. Also budget for any excise tax tied to engine capacity — in several markets a 2.5L car clears far cheaper than a 3.5L one.

No, this is a serious customs violation. Complete vehicles (HS Code 8703) and auto parts (HS Code 8708, etc.) are subject to completely different import tax rates. Combining them on one invoice could lead to the invoice being returned by customs and may expose you to tax fraud accusations at the destination port.