Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Shanghai to Seattle, Washington

Importing a car from China to the U.S. involves significant costs, including shipping, U.S. Customs duties (potentially 2.5% or more), insurance, brokerage fees, and mandatory modifications/inspections for safety/emissions (FMVSS/EPA compliance), often making it complex and expensive, especially for non-U.S. spec vehicles, with total costs varying widely but easily adding thousands to tens of thousands of dollars over the purchase price due to regulatory hurdles for newer, non-compliant models.

Sea freight transit times from China to the US vary depending upon the respective ports and shipping lanes used. Typical transit times are from 15-25 days, but can take longer if the ship is sailing to the East Coast.

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.