Shipping Cost from Hong Kong to Chennai

Import Tax and Duty Explained If you have lived in Hong Kong at least 12 months and owned the car at least 6 months of that period, there is zero tax and zero duty to pay. If the car is over ten years of age and you have not previously owned it then expect 10% duty on a current value for the car and 20% VAT.

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.

The 25-Year Rule in the U.S. allows vehicles not originally made for the American market (like many JDM or Euro cars) to be imported without meeting full DOT/EPA standards once they are at least 25 years old from their manufacture date, bypassing costly modifications and complex certification. It makes importing classic and foreign-market cars simpler for enthusiasts, requiring forms like the HS-7 and proving the vehicle's age, but state emissions rules (like California's) can still apply.