The car market is among the most competitive and challenging. If the company wants to be present in the market, it must fulfill many rules and regulations. Whole-car import is considered especially troublesome, so most of the small and medium importers would rather purchase car parts. The value of the Chinese car part market is estimated at $538bn. How to import car parts from China and pay due duties?
Import car parts from China – duty rates
EU tariffs on car parts from China
Every importer should be interested in duty regulations. In the case of the auto parts market, the past trade relations between the EU and China cast a shade on the present state of affairs. In 2008, WTO Appellate Body voted in favor of Western countries when they entered a dispute with China about auto part tariffs. Beijing established relatively high duty rates on car parts, so now the EU also uses several tariffs, which depend on the type of car parts. Some of those tariffs are presented below:
- Plastic cover for filling the space between the fog lights and the bumper (8708101010) – 3%
- Inflatable safety cushion of high strength polyamide fibre (8708951020) – 3%
- Steering wheels (8708943590) – 4.5%
- Silencers (mufflers) and exhaust pipes (8708923500) – 4.5%
- Aluminium cooler using compressed air with a ribbed design (8708913510) – 4.5%
- Wheels of aluminium fitted with pneumatic tyres (8708705015) – 4.5%
- Automatic gearbox with a hydraulic torque converter (8708402030) – 3%
- Non-asbestos organic brake pads (8708301060) – 3%
- Safety seat belts (87082110) – 3%
US tariffs on car parts from China
The tariffs on car parts from China in the US are higher because of the additional China tariff.
- Bumpers of aluminum (8708.10.30.30) – 2.5% + 25%
- Inflaters and modules for airbags (8708.95.20.00)- 2.5% + 25%
- Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes (8708.94.50.00)- 2.5% + 25%
- Mufflers and exhaust pipes (8708.92.50.00) – 2.5% + 25%
- Radiators for vehicles (8708.91.50.00) – 2.5% + 25%
- Front windscreens, windshields (8708.22.00.00) – 2.5% + 25%
- Gearboxes (8708.40.11.00) – 2.5% + 25%
- Road wheels of aluminium (8708.70.45.46) – 2.5% + 25%
- Safety seat belts (8708.21.00.00) – 2.5% + 25%
Despite the tariffs, Chinese car part prices are still competitive, especially when we compare them with OEM car parts. Chinese B2B platforms (such as Made in China) are full of auto parts offers. Before you place an order, verify your supplier to avoid scammers!