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Algeria

Algeria

Algeria reopened personal vehicle imports through narrow, eligibility-driven channels: residents may import one car every three years (under 3 years old, up to 1800cc, petrol/hybrid/electric only — diesel is banned), while returning citizens (CCR) get a wider age window. The tax reductions favour exactly what Chinese stock does best — compact petrols and EVs.

What are the rules for importing a car from China into Algeria?
  • Age limit: Two personal channels: (1) resident individuals — vehicle under 3 years old, engine up to 1800cc, one car every 3 years, paid from own foreign currency; (2) returning citizens (CCR) — under 5 years per the 2026 Finance Law. Diesel passenger cars are excluded.
  • Import duty & taxes: Customs duty (DGD) scaled by engine size, plus excise (TIC) and 19% VAT on CIF — with across-the-board reductions: 80% off total duties for battery-electric, 50% for petrol/hybrid up to 1800cc, 20% above. Confirm current brackets with Algerian Customs.
  • Authority & certification: Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD) assesses and collects duties; a conformity review by an approved expert is completed after arrival; the temporary circulation document is valid one month and non-renewable.

Import facts at a glance

Age limitTwo personal channels: (1) resident individuals — vehicle under 3 years old, engine up to 1800cc, one car every 3 years, paid from own foreign currency; (2) returning citizens (CCR) — under 5 years per the 2026 Finance Law. Diesel passenger cars are excluded.
Import duty & taxesCustoms duty (DGD) scaled by engine size, plus excise (TIC) and 19% VAT on CIF — with across-the-board reductions: 80% off total duties for battery-electric, 50% for petrol/hybrid up to 1800cc, 20% above. Confirm current brackets with Algerian Customs.
SteeringLeft-hand drive only.
Main ports / entryDedicated vehicle ports include Djen Djen and Mostaganem, plus Algiers and Oran — seasonal restrictions have been reported at some ports in summer; confirm routing before booking.
Authority & certificationDirection Générale des Douanes (DGD) assesses and collects duties; a conformity review by an approved expert is completed after arrival; the temporary circulation document is valid one month and non-renewable.
Required documentsImporter identity/residence documents, foreign registration certificate, purchase invoice, a technical inspection issued within 3 months in the registration country, and the conformity report — plus the export set we prepare (invoice, B/L, packing list, certificate of origin).
How we support youWe export LHD Chinese cars sized for the Algerian brackets — EVs and ≤1800cc petrol/hybrids — and time the shipment so the car lands inside the eligibility window, with the full export document set.
Key watch-outsEligibility matters more than the car: the one-car-in-three-years quota, own-currency payment, and staying inside the age window at landing — leave shipping margin and confirm port routing first.

Figures indicative. Algeria's vehicle imports run through eligibility-gated personal channels (one car in three years for residents / the CCR channel); petrol, hybrid and EV only — diesel is banned. Duties include DGD, TIC and 19% VAT with 80%/50%/20% reduction bands. Confirm current rules with Algerian Customs before shipping. Sources: Direction Générale des Douanes (douane.gov.dz); Ministère des Finances (mf.gov.dz). Last reviewed 2026-10.

45-country import policy quick reference →

Popular models — Algeria

BYD SeagullBYD DolphinBYD Frigate 07Wuling Starlight

Vehicles currently available — Algeria

BYD Frigate 07BMW i5Jetour TravellerJetour X70 PLUSBrowse all vehicles →

Import guides

Import process: where shipments stallChina export ports by marketImport glossary: terms that decide a shipmentZOFRI Iquique: legal route for used cars

Our experience in this region — Africa

EZ Auto is based in China (Zhengzhou, Henan) with 15–20 years in the country's car export trade. We export new and used Chinese vehicles across Africa, with sea freight from Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangzhou to Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Port Said, Alexandria, Casablanca and Tanger Med, handling China export clearance and full documentation. Landlocked Ethiopia is served via the Port of Djibouti. Local import clearance is arranged by the buyer or a licensed broker; we provide all paperwork and per-country guidance. We do not operate local offices in Africa — every car is sourced and inspected in China before shipment.

FAQ

Can EZ Auto ship cars to Africa?
Yes. We export new and used Chinese vehicles to all eight markets covered here — Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania — with full export documents and sea freight to the main regional ports. Import clearance is handled by you or a local broker; we supply all paperwork.
Which African market is easiest for importing used cars?
It depends on your situation. South Africa restricts used imports to returning residents, diplomats and a few narrow categories, and Ethiopia allows only electric vehicles. Among the open markets, Egypt caps used passenger cars at 3 years, Morocco at 5, Kenya at 8 (right-hand drive), Ghana and Nigeria at about 10–12 (left-hand drive), and Tanzania at 10 (right-hand drive). Because the limits are enforced at the port and change periodically, confirm the current rule for your target country before buying.
Left-hand drive or right-hand drive for Africa?
Africa is split by colonial history. West and North Africa — Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco — drive on the right and require left-hand-drive vehicles. East and Southern Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa — drive on the left and require right-hand-drive vehicles. Sending the wrong configuration means rejection at the port, so we confirm the steering side for your exact destination before you order.
How long does shipping from China to Africa take?
Sea transit varies by coast: about 35–45 days to West Africa (Lagos, Tema), 25–35 days to East and Southern Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban) and North Africa (Port Said, Alexandria, Casablanca, Tanger Med), and slightly longer for landlocked Ethiopia via Djibouti. Transit times shift with route and season, so we confirm the current schedule for your lane before shipment.
Do you handle import clearance in my country?
Export clearance in China is on us. Import clearance is handled by you or your local broker; we supply all documents and advise on requirements per country.
How many cars fit in one container, and should I book FCL or LCL?
It depends on the model and the loading method. Compact SUVs and sedans are commonly loaded two to four units per 40ft container using racking or stacking, while larger SUVs and pickups may take fewer. Full container load (FCL) is the usual choice for a single order because the cargo stays sealed from door to door; less than container load (LCL) can be considered for a single unit alongside other cargo. Loading plans are confirmed per order — request one before you commit, because dimensions and weight limits decide the final count.
What are the payment terms?
Payment terms are agreed order by order and written into the contract — we do not quote standing terms here, because the structure depends on the model, the sourcing lead time and the shipping schedule. A contract typically sets out the deposit, the balance trigger and the documents released against each payment. Whatever the structure, you receive the full export document set against the agreed milestones. Please treat the signed contract as the only binding statement of terms.
How do we start?
Send us your target country, the models or body types you are considering, and the approximate volume. We reply with availability in China and a loading plan, and you can then confirm a unit for inspection. If it helps, tell us whether you are buying for retail, fleet or re-export — that changes which models and which condition (new or recent used) make sense in your market. There is no obligation until a contract is signed.
Should I start with new cars or used cars in Africa?
It depends on the market. Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Morocco admit used cars inside their age limits; Egypt caps used passenger cars at 3 years; Kenya requires right-hand drive; South Africa restricts used imports to returning residents; Ethiopia admits only electric vehicles. Many importers run two lines — new cars for the tighter markets and recent used cars where the age limit allows. Tell us your destination and we will point out which line fits your licence and working capital.

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