- Import guide
- Latin America
How to Import a Chinese EV to Mexico (2026)
What you need to know before importing a new or used Chinese EV to Mexico: import rules, duties and taxes, homologation, ports, shipping from China and the documents to prepare.
At a glance
- Import of new cars
- Allowed
- Import of used cars
- Allowed with restrictions
- Age limit for used cars
- The used-vehicle decree, extended until 30 November 2026, covers cars of five to nine years and of ten years or more, only with a USMCA certificate of origin. It does not apply to cars made in China.
- Duties and taxes
- Be ready for a 50% import duty on top of the car price and freight, then 16% VAT on the total. ISAN, the new-car tax, does not apply to electric cars. Even so, our estimates for mid-size models stay below Mexican list prices.
- Homologation and standards
- An imported car must meet the Mexican standards (NOM) that apply to it, such as emissions and noise. The customs broker helps obtain the certificate; without it, the import can be blocked.
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic (left-hand drive cars)
- Ports of entry
- Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz
- Shipping from China
- 14–42 days at sea
- Documents required
- 6 main documents
- Dealers listed
- 12
Dealers in Mexico
- Our directory lists 12 Zeekr dealerships in Mexico. See Zeekr dealers in Mexico
Import of new cars to Mexico
New cars can be imported into Mexico, but since 1 January 2026 a car made in China pays a 50% import duty: Mexico has no trade agreement with China. The rate covers electric cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
- Before 2026, Chinese-made cars paid 20%.
- Even with the 50% duty, importing a mid-size Chinese EV can still cost less than buying it from a Mexican dealer: see the price comparison and the FAQ below.
Import of used cars to Mexico
Used cars can only be imported under the used-vehicle decree, which asks for a certificate of origin under the USMCA (Mexico–US–Canada). A used car made in China cannot get this certificate.
- A car imported as new must be of the current model year or later and have at most 1,000 km.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Age limit for used cars to Mexico
The used-vehicle decree, extended until 30 November 2026, covers cars of five to nine years and of ten years or more, only with a USMCA certificate of origin. It does not apply to cars made in China.
- Five to nine years: 1% duty in the northern border region.
- Ten years or more: 10% duty.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Import duties and taxes in Mexico
Be ready for a 50% import duty on top of the car price and freight, then 16% VAT on the total. ISAN, the new-car tax, does not apply to electric cars. Even so, our estimates for mid-size models stay below Mexican list prices.
| Tax | Rate or amount |
|---|---|
| Import duty (IGI) – electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid made in China | 50% (since 1 January 2026) |
| Customs processing fee (DTA) | 0.8% of the customs value |
| ISAN (new car tax) | Exempt for electric cars |
| VAT (IVA) | 16% |
- VAT is charged on the customs value plus the duty and the DTA.
- The ISAN law exempts the import of battery-electric cars and of electric cars that also have a combustion engine. Ask your customs broker how a DM-i plug-in hybrid is declared.
- Estimate, from the China list price, US$2,500 of freight, the 50% duty, the 0.8% DTA and 16% VAT: Song Plus DM-i about US$39,300 vs MX$778,800 (≈ US$45,200) in Mexico; King DM-i / Seal 05 DM-i about US$25,200 vs MX$524,900 (≈ US$30,500); Dolphin Mini / Seagull about US$22,600 vs MX$399,800 (≈ US$23,200).
- These estimates do not include the customs broker, the NOM certificate or inland transport, and a car imported directly has no warranty from the brand's Mexican distributor.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
- Diario Oficial de la Federación – Decree amending the LIGIE tariff (29 December 2025)
- Ley Federal de Derechos, article 49 (DTA) – mley.mx legal database
- Ley Federal del ISAN, article 8 (exemptions) – mley.mx legal database
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Mexico, other taxes
- Ley del IVA, article 27 (VAT base on imports) – mley.mx legal database
Homologation and standards
An imported car must meet the Mexican standards (NOM) that apply to it, such as emissions and noise. The customs broker helps obtain the certificate; without it, the import can be blocked.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Left-hand or right-hand drive?
Mexico drives on the right.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Ports of entry in Mexico
Cars from China can land at the Pacific ports of Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas, or at Veracruz and Altamira on the Gulf of Mexico.
- Manzanillo
- Lázaro Cárdenas
- Veracruz
- Altamira
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Documents required
The import goes through a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal), who files the import declaration (pedimento). A private individual can import one car every 12 months without registering in the importers' register (Padrón de Importadores).
- Manufacturer or seller invoice
- Bill of lading
- Proof of the vehicle's origin
- Official ID and proof of address
- Import declaration (pedimento), filed by the customs broker
- NOM compliance certificate
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Shipping a car from China to Mexico
By sea, roll-on/roll-off or in a container, before customs clearance. Car shippers give 2 to 6 weeks depending on the port pair and the line.
- Indicative transit time14–42 days
- Indicative freight cost2,500–3,500
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Buy locally or import?
| Criteria | Local dealer | Import from China |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 12 dealers listed | Models sold in China, if they meet local rules |
| Taxes | Included in the dealer price | Paid at customs (see above) |
| Delivery time | Depends on dealer stock | About 14–42 days at sea, plus clearance |
| Paperwork | Handled by the dealer | Customs, homologation and registration |
Zeekr prices in China
| Model | China price |
|---|---|
| Zeekr X | $24,000 – $27,100 |
| Zeekr 7X | $35,400 – $41,500 |
| Zeekr 7GT | $31,400 – $37,500 |
| Zeekr 001 | $41,500 – $56,200 |
| Zeekr 007 | $31,400 – $37,500 |
| Zeekr 009 | $67,700 – $72,300 |
China prices are ranges from the cheapest to the dearest version, based on China prices and exporter quotes (November 2026), with a small margin. Freight, insurance, duties and taxes are extra. Compare Zeekr prices by region.
Xiaomi prices in China
| Model | China price |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi SU7 | $33,900 – $46,800 |
| Xiaomi SU7 Ultra | $81,500 |
| Xiaomi YU7 | $35,900 – $50,800 |
| Xiaomi YU7 GT | $60,000 |
China prices are ranges from the cheapest to the dearest version, based on China prices and exporter quotes (November 2026), with a small margin. Freight, insurance, duties and taxes are extra. Compare Xiaomi prices by region.
How to import a Chinese EV to Mexico, step by step
- 1
Check that your car can be imported
New cars: Allowed. Used cars: Allowed with restrictions. The used-vehicle decree, extended until 30 November 2026, covers cars of five to nine years and of ten years or more, only with a USMCA certificate of origin. It does not apply to cars made in China.
- 2
Choose the model and the right steering side
Right-hand traffic (left-hand drive cars). Make sure the car you buy matches it.
- 3
Estimate the landed cost
Add the purchase price, export fees, sea freight, insurance, import duty, taxes and registration costs before you commit.
- 4
Ship the car
Main ports of entry: Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira. Expect about 14–42 days at sea from China.
- 5
Clear customs
Prepare the documents listed above and pay the duties and taxes at clearance.
- 6
Homologate and register
An imported car must meet the Mexican standards (NOM) that apply to it, such as emissions and noise. The customs broker helps obtain the certificate; without it, the import can be blocked.
FAQ: importing an electric car to Mexico
Is it still worth importing a Chinese EV from China to Mexico with the 50% duty?
For mid-size models, usually yes. Our estimate, from the China list price with US$2,500 of freight, the 50% duty, the 0.8% DTA and 16% VAT, puts a Song Plus DM-i at about US$39,300, against MX$778,800 (≈ US$45,200) at a Mexican dealer, and a King DM-i / Seal 05 DM-i at about US$25,200 against ≈ US$30,500. On the Dolphin Mini / Seagull the gap almost disappears (≈ US$22,600 vs US$23,200). Customs broker fees come on top, and a car imported directly has no warranty from the brand's Mexican distributor.
What import duty does a Chinese EV made in China pay in Mexico?
50% since 1 January 2026, up from 20%, under the decree published in the Diario Oficial on 29 December 2025. It applies to electric cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids from countries without a trade agreement with Mexico, China included. VAT of 16% comes on top.
Does an imported Chinese EV pay ISAN in Mexico?
No. Article 8 of the ISAN law exempts the import of cars powered by rechargeable batteries and of electric cars that also have a combustion engine. Ask your customs broker how a DM-i plug-in hybrid is declared.
Can I import a used Chinese EV from China to Mexico?
No. The used-vehicle decree only covers cars with a USMCA certificate of origin, made in Mexico, the United States or Canada. A car imported as new must be of the current model year or later, with at most 1,000 km.
How long does shipping from China to Mexico take?
About 2 to 6 weeks by sea depending on the port pair, for example to Manzanillo or Lázaro Cárdenas, before customs clearance. Car shippers quote about US$2,500 to US$3,500.