Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Shanghai to China

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances (under 500 miles), but for long cross-country moves (over 1,000 miles), shipping can become comparable or even cheaper when factoring in your time, food, lodging, and significant vehicle wear-and-tear, making driving less cost-effective despite lower upfront gas costs. The decision balances direct fuel savings against the hidden costs and time commitment of a long drive, with shipping offering convenience and preserving your car's mileage and condition.

China also boasts advanced manufacturing processes of those components, meaning cheaper, more streamlined production. And lastly, the governmental policies regarding the advanced automotive industry heavily favor electric vehicle (EV) development, incentivizing manufacturers beyond what's seen in the West.

Eligibility to import a car into China Only holders of “Z” visas – permanent residence cards, can import a vehicle. Only legal residents are allowed to import a car. Among them, only those who have “foreign expert status” which is provided by the PSB (Public Security Bureau) and the visa departments can import a car.