Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Shanghai to Norfolk, Virginia

Yes, you can bring a Chinese car to the U.S., but it's extremely difficult and costly for regular use because it must meet strict U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, often requiring expensive modifications or waiting 25 years for an exemption, plus massive tariffs on Chinese EVs. The process involves complex certification, potential modifications (like charging ports, mirrors, safety features), and high costs, making it impractical for most individuals unless done by a registered importer for high-end vehicles.

Budget: The shorter the distance, the more cost-effective it is to drive instead of ship your car. Regardless of the total distance, look at your total moving budget and how much you can afford to spend on car shipping services compared to a cross-country drive.

Ocean freight from Shanghai to the USA takes 15 to 40 days (port-to-port), depending on the type of load (FCL or LCL) and the port of arrival – West Coast is generally faster to reach from China than East Coast ports. Air freight is much faster, with expedited options ranging from 1 to 3 days.