A Review of New Auto Import Policies in Various Countries in 2025
In 2025, key Chinese auto export markets such as the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa will introduce new import policies—tariff increases and decreases, upgraded standards, channel controls… Each change directly affects automakers' export costs and market access. We have compiled a clear breakdown of key policies for the year by region, highlighting their impact on China's new and used car exports, for reference only!
I. Middle East Market: Stricter Standards + Differentiated Tariffs, Compliance Becomes a Core Threshold. As a significant growth engine for China's new energy vehicle exports, the Middle East's policy adjustments in 2025 focus on two main areas: "standardized market access" and "optimized taxation." Significant policy coordination among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states is evident.
1. Jordan: New Dual Policies Implemented, Tax Rates Lowered but Standards Tightened
▶ Core Policies: Two new regulations will be implemented from November 1st – First, all imported vehicles (including new cars, used cars, and gasoline/electric/hybrid models) must pass a conformity assessment according to EU, US, or Gulf standards; second, tax burdens will be adjusted, with the tax rate for gasoline vehicles decreasing from 71% to 51%, hybrid vehicles from 60% to 39%, and electric vehicles remaining at a fixed low rate of 27%. The import of electric vehicles older than 3 years, as well as damaged or scrapped vehicles, is also prohibited.
▶ Impact on Chinese Automakers: Opportunities and Challenges Rise in tandem! The tax rate reduction directly lowers export costs, especially benefiting new energy vehicles – in the first seven months of 2025, Guangdong's used car exports to Jordan increased by 2.3 times year-on-year. After the policy is implemented, the price advantage of compliant new energy vehicles will be further amplified. However, the challenges are equally prominent: On the one hand, compliance assessments for EU/US/Gulf standards require additional investment in testing and technological upgrades, significantly raising the entry threshold for small and medium-sized automakers; on the other hand, the ban on importing electric vehicles older than 3 years will directly impact China's used electric vehicle export market, requiring companies to quickly adjust their vehicle source structure and focus on high-quality used electric vehicles less than 3 years old.
2. Saudi Arabia + Qatar + UAE: Simultaneous Implementation of GCC Standards, Elimination of Old Used Vehicles
▶ Core Policies: Saudi Arabia has permanently stopped importing vehicles that do not meet its own national and GCC safety standards, phasing out used vehicles older than 5 years, and requiring exported vehicles to pass GCC, SASO, and SABER triple certification; Qatar has set a transition period until the end of 2025, after which the sale of new vehicles that do not meet the GCC standard will be prohibited, and only niche models will be allowed for personal import.
▶ Impact on Chinese Automakers: Compliant models will receive clear policy benefits—models that pass triple certification can enjoy a 5% low tariff and purchase subsidies, directly covering the zero-tariff market of the seven Gulf countries. After obtaining GCC certification, Success Automotive's Wildebeest diesel vehicles have been specially enhanced for high-temperature resistance and durability to suit the Saudi environment, and a localized service center has been established, making it a benchmark for commercial vehicles going global. However, for most small and medium-sized automakers, the triple certification process is complex, costly, and extremely difficult to gain market access. It is recommended to prioritize breakthroughs in new energy vehicle models, leveraging the momentum of China's new energy vehicle exports growing by 89.4% year-on-year in 2025, and concentrating resources to complete certification.
▶ Iraq: Import standards for automobiles will be formulated based on GCC standards and will be mandatory in early 2026. Imports of gasoline-powered vehicles will not be affected in 2025, but regulations for electric and hybrid vehicles are under development and require close monitoring.
▶ Oman: From July 1st, vehicles imported from GCC countries will require an "export certificate" instead of a "customs clearance certificate." Direct exports of Chinese automobiles will not be affected, but trade coordination policies need to be monitored.
II. Central Asia Market: New Energy Vehicle Dividends Released, Personal Import Channels Tightened
The Central Asian market, leveraging its geographical advantages and consumer upgrading demands, has become a new hotspot for Chinese auto exports. In 2025, policies will feature "new energy vehicle encouragement + standardized import channels."
1. Uzbekistan: Zero Tariffs Ignite the New Energy Vehicle Market
▶ Core Policies: Zero tariffs on new energy vehicle imports, tariffs on traditional fuel vehicles increasing by only 15%, and tariffs on auto parts decreasing from 10% to 5%. The policy's driving effect is significant; in the first nine months of 2025, new energy vehicle imports more than doubled to over 40,000 units, with import value surging by 133%.
▶ Impact on Chinese Automakers: This is one of the core opportunity markets for Chinese new energy vehicles going global in 2025! The zero-tariff policy directly doubles the price competitiveness of Chinese new energy vehicle models. Coupled with Uzbekistan's long-term goal of achieving 50% green energy share by 2030, market demand will continue to explode. Data shows that in the first nine months of 2025, China's new energy vehicle exports increased by 89.4% year-on-year, with Uzbekistan's policy dividends being a major driving force. For used car exports, new energy used cars will also benefit from policy dividends. It is recommended to focus on promoting models with shorter vehicle ages and better range.
2. Kazakhstan + Kyrgyzstan: Restricting Individual Imports and Regulating Market Order
▶ Kazakhstan: From October 20th, individuals can only import specific categories of vehicles for personal use. Import rights for passenger cars and trucks are limited to companies, and a structural safety certificate is required. It is explicitly stated that personal vehicles cannot be used for commercial activities.
▶ Kyrgyzstan: From January, the age limit for imported vehicles has been reduced from 10 years to 7 years.
▶ Impact on Chinese car dealers: These two policies directly restructure China's car export channels to Central Asia! Due to Kazakhstan's restrictions on individual imports, companies need to quickly switch to formal trade channels and must obtain a structural safety certificate in advance. They must also entrust a local Kazakhstan customs broker to handle customs clearance and prepare bilingual documents to avoid delays. Kyrgyzstan has reduced the vehicle age limit from 10 years to 7 years, eliminating approximately 40% of China's older used car inventory and forcing companies to optimize their vehicle source structure, focusing on high-quality used cars from recent years.
III. African Market: Tariff Reductions + Localization Requirements – Opportunities and Barriers Coexist. The African market has significant demand potential, but policy adjustments in 2025 focus on "standardizing import procedures" and "promoting localized production," posing new requirements for Chinese companies' export models.
1. Algeria: Multiple Regulations Implemented, Customs Clearance Period Extended
▶ Core Policies: From June 8th, vehicle containers must be transported to approved inland ports for unpacking; only left-hand drive used cars registered for the first time within the last 3 years are accepted; individuals are limited to importing one vehicle every 3 years, while companies require permission from the Ministry of Industry; eight types of documents are indispensable, and missing documents will result in port delays; tariffs on some models have been reduced by 40%. Further clarification will prohibit companies from using personal channels for imports.
▶ Impact on Chinese Automakers: The policy presents a dual nature of "benefits + pressure"! The 40% tariff reduction directly activated the price advantage of Chinese economy cars, driving the market share of Chinese cars in Algeria from 12% to 40%, with used cars contributing significantly—the Middle East and Africa are already core markets for Chinese used car exports, with Guangdong's used car exports to the Middle East increasing by over 1.4 times in the first seven months of 2025. However, challenges are equally significant: First, the customs clearance cycle has been extended from 30 days to 45-60 days, significantly increasing the capital tied up and inventory pressure for companies, especially impacting small and medium-sized importers; second, the tightening of personal import channels (limited to one vehicle every three years) and the prohibition of corporate borrowing force used car export companies to establish formal trade channels and complete eight essential documents, otherwise they will face the risk of being stranded at ports.
▶ Impact on Chinese car dealers: Direct import channels are strictly restricted. In the short term, companies need to quickly establish cooperation with local Nigerian assemblers, otherwise they will lose market access. The initial cooperation negotiations and adaptation costs are high.
IV. Other Key Markets: Tariff Impact and Policy Adjustments
1. Russia: Soaring Taxes and Fees, Blocked Re-export Channels. Starting in January, import tariffs on automobiles increased to 20%-38%, coupled with a 70%-85% scrap tax increase in October 2024, while loopholes for re-export through third countries were closed. China's vehicle exports to Russia plummeted, and Russia is no longer China's largest automobile export market, forcing a shift towards domestic production.