Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Chinese vehicles, and the ASEAN Free Trade Area shapes tariffs across the region. The markets diverge sharply on used cars: Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia allow used imports under conditions, while Thailand and Indonesia largely prohibit used-vehicle imports and are served mainly by new Chinese vehicles (including EVs). Myanmar has opened a notable 2025 incentive for China-origin used cars. This guide summarises the real import framework for each country: age limits, duties, ports, certification and documents. Figures are indicative — always confirm with the destination customs before shipping.
What are the rules for importing a car from China into Southeast Asia?
Age limit: Age rules are the most fragmented in this region. Thailand bans used passenger car imports outright under WTO notification G/MA/QR/N/THA/4 and a Ministry of Commerce notice of 12 June 2019, with only narrow exceptions such as semi-trailer tractors, ambulances and agricultural tractors — so what we supply there is new cars. Indonesia effectively bans used imports, with a limited used-EV exception under the current incentive framework, generally within 5 years and cited by some sources as up to 8. Vietnam requires used vehicles to be under 5 years from manufacture, with personal imports also needing a 2-year or 50,000 km warranty undertaking. Malaysia requires used and reconditioned vehicles to be under 5 years, with classics over 35 years importable under a Classic AP. The Philippines commonly cites 5 years, though sources give both 3 and 7. Myanmar's 2025 notice requires non-commercial passenger vehicles to be 2024 or 2025 model year, with commercial buses and trucks from 2021.
Import duty & taxes: New-car tax burdens are equally heavy. Thailand applies 0% ATIGA duty on ASEAN-origin imports and about 80% on non-ASEAN, excise of 30–50% by model and CO2 rating, and 7% VAT, so a CBU passenger car can exceed 100% of CIF. Malaysia levies roughly 30% duty on non-ASEAN passenger cars, 60–105% excise and 10% SST, with landed cost often two to three times CIF. The Philippines applies about 30% duty, 12% VAT and 15–100% ad valorem excise by displacement. Indonesia charges 5–50% duty, luxury goods tax (PPnBM) above 95% for large engines and 11% VAT, while EVs enjoy 0% duty under Investment Regulation 6/2023. Vietnam applies 35–150% excise on non-ASEAN used cars by engine size plus fixed duty. Myanmar offers 0% duty plus 5% VAT on Chinese-origin used cars.
Authority & certification: Every market runs customs clearance followed by local certification and registration. Vietnam: customs clears, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issues import licences, and quality, safety and environmental certification follows Decree 60/2023/ND-CP, fully in force from 1 August 2025. Philippines: the Bureau of Customs, DTI and LTO share roles, emissions must meet PMEVS (Euro 4 and above), and a pre-import authorisation or import licence is required. Thailand: customs clears, the Ministry of Commerce issues permits, the Department of Land Transport registers, and TISI handles conformity. Malaysia: MITI issues the approval permit, Royal Malaysian Customs collects duty, JPJ registers and PUSPAKOM inspects on arrival. Indonesia: customs clears, the Ministry of Trade issues SPI/SK-PI with a technical recommendation, the Investment Ministry handles EV incentives, and everything runs through the SINSW platform. Myanmar: customs clears, the Ministry of Commerce sets the annual model-year notice and issues import licences, and diplomatic imports need a Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearance certificate.
Our experience in this region
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 Southeast Asia, with sea freight from Chinese ports (Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou) to the region's main gateways — Singapore as a trans-shipment hub, Ho Chi Minh City / Cat Lai, Manila, Laem Chabang, Port Klang, Tanjung Priok and Yangon — handling China export clearance and full documentation. Where a market prohibits used imports (Thailand, Indonesia) we supply new Chinese vehicles, including EVs; where used imports are permitted we advise on each country's real framework. 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 Southeast Asia — every car is sourced and inspected in China before shipment.
Sources: national customs and standards authorities of the region, Vietnam (customs.gov.vn), Philippines (customs.gov.ph), Thailand (excise.go.th), Malaysia (customs.gov.my), Indonesia (beacukai.go.id), Myanmar (customs.gov.mm). Last reviewed 2026-09.
Yes. We export new and used Chinese vehicles across Southeast Asia with full export documents and sea freight to the main regional ports (Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Laem Chabang, Port Klang, Tanjung Priok, Yangon). Where used imports are prohibited (Thailand, Indonesia) we supply new vehicles, including EVs. Import clearance is handled by you or a local broker; we supply all paperwork.
Which Southeast Asian markets allow used-car imports?
Vietnam (under 5 years, left-hand drive), the Philippines (about 5 years, left-hand drive, licensed importers only) and Malaysia (under 5 years, right-hand drive, with an Approved Permit) allow used imports under conditions. Thailand and Indonesia largely prohibit used-vehicle imports and are served by new vehicles. Myanmar allows used imports and from 2025 grants China-origin used cars a 0% customs-duty incentive. Rules change, so confirm the current position before you buy.
What steering side does each market require?
Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia require left-hand drive. Malaysia and Thailand require right-hand drive (they drive on the left). Myanmar also requires left-hand drive. Sourcing the correct steering from the factory is far cheaper than converting later, so we confirm the configuration before you order.
How long does shipping from China to Southeast Asia take?
Sea freight from Chinese ports to most Southeast Asian ports is short — typically about 7–14 days to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Laem Chabang, Port Klang or Yangon, with trans-shipment via Singapore common. Transit times vary with the sailing and season, so we confirm the current schedule for your route 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, including the certification that Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines may require.
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