In 2025, the global automobile trade pattern will usher in an intensive adjustment period! China's core automobile export markets such as the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa have introduced new import policies-tariff increases and decreases, standard upgrades, channel control... Each change is directly related to the export costs and market access of automobile companies.

1. Middle East market: stricter standards + tariff differentiation, compliance becomes the core threshold

As an important growth pole for China's new energy vehicle exports, the Middle East will focus on the two major directions of "standardizing access" and "optimizing taxation" in 2025. The policy synergy of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states is significant.

1.& nbsp; Jordan: Double new policies implemented, tax rates lowered but standards tightened

④ Core policies: Two new regulations will be implemented from November 1-first, all imported vehicles (including new, used cars, fuel/electric/hybrid models) must pass compliance assessments with EU, US or Gulf standards; Second, the tax burden will be adjusted. The tax rate on gasoline vehicles will be reduced from 71% to 51%, hybrid models will be reduced from 60% to 39%, and electric vehicles will be fixed at a low tax rate of 27%. At the same time, the import of electric vehicles for more than three years and damaged or scrapped vehicles will be prohibited.

③ Impact on Chinese companies: Opportunities and challenges form a clear hedge! The reduction in tax rates directly reduces export costs, especially benefiting new energy vehicles-Guangdong's second-hand car exports to Jordan in the first seven months of 2025 have increased by 2.3 times year-on-year. After the implementation of the policy, the price advantage of compliant new energy vehicles will be further amplified. However, the challenges are equally prominent: on the one hand, the compliance assessment of the EU/US/Gulf standards requires additional investment in testing and technical transformation costs, and the entry threshold for small and medium-sized car companies has been significantly increased; on the other hand, the ban on the import of electric vehicles for more than three years will directly impact China's second-hand electric vehicle export market (currently, electric vehicles account for about 15% of China's second-hand cars exported to Jordan). Companies need to quickly adjust the vehicle source structure and focus on high-quality second-hand electric vehicle resources within three years.

▲ Information sources: Sichuan Province Department of Commerce (website of the Ministry of Commerce), cross-border Chinese enterprises 

2.& nbsp; Saudi Arabia + Qatar + United Arab Emirates: Simultaneous implementation of GCC standards to eliminate old used cars

▲ Core policy: Saudi Arabia will permanently stop importing cars that do not meet domestic and GCC safety standards, and eliminate used cars that are more than 5 years old. Export vehicles must pass GCC (82 safety emission tests), SASO (left-hand rudder, Arabic label), SABER (online review) triple certification; Qatar has a transition period until the end of 2025. After the transition period, the sale of new non-GCC standard vehicles is prohibited, and only individuals are allowed to import niche models for their own use.

③ Impact on Chinese companies: Compliant models will usher in a clear policy dividend-models that pass triple certification can enjoy a 5% low tariff and car purchase subsidy, directly covering the zero-tariff market of the seven Gulf countries. China car companies have taken the lead in making breakthroughs. For example, after Chenggong Automobile's Wildebeest diesel vehicle passed GCC certification, it has specially strengthened its high temperature resistance and durability to adapt to the Saudi environment, and established a localized service center to become a benchmark for commercial vehicles going out to sea. However, for most small and medium-sized car companies, the triple certification process is complex (GCC alone includes 82 safety emission tests) and the certification cost is high (the single vehicle certification fee exceeds one million), making entry extremely difficult. It is recommended to give priority to breakthroughs in new energy models, and take advantage of the year-on-year growth of 89.4% in China's new energy vehicle exports in 2025 to concentrate resources to complete certification; at the same time, pay attention to the main focus of high-quality vehicles within 5 years of age of used cars to avoid being affected by the elimination policy.

▲  Information sources: Yellow River News Network (Changzhi Channel), CCTV, Shenzhen Rikano Technology Co., Ltd. |  Report on successful automobile's deep penetration in Saudi Arabia market, report on China Automobile Association's export data, and interpretation of GCC standard policies

3.& nbsp; Iraq + Oman: Policy convergence period, it is more prudent to adapt in advance

▲ Iraq: Standards for imported vehicles are formulated in accordance with GCC standards and will be enforced in early 2026. Imported fuel vehicles will not be affected for the time being in 2025. However, specifications for electric and hybrid vehicles are being formulated and require close attention.

▲ Oman: Starting from July 1, imported vehicles from GCC countries will need to present an "export certificate" instead of a "customs clearance certificate." Direct exports of China automobiles will not be affected, but attention should be paid to trade coordination policies.

▲  Information sources: Department of Commerce of Sichuan Province, Commercial Office of the Embassy of China in Oman |  Original text of Iraq policy, original text of Oman policy

2. Central Asian market: New energy dividends released and personal import channels tightened

Relying on its geographical advantages and demand for consumption upgrades, the Central Asian market has become an emerging hot spot for China's automobile exports. The 2025 policy will be characterized by "new energy encouragement + import channel standardization."

1.& nbsp; Uzbekistan: Zero tariffs detonate new energy market

④ Core policies: Zero tariffs on imports of new energy vehicles, only 15% increase in tariffs on traditional fuel vehicles, and reduced tariffs on auto parts from 10% to 5%. The policy-driven effect is significant. In the first nine months of 2025, the import volume of new energy vehicles doubled to more than 40,000 units, and the import volume surged by 133%.

③ Impact on Chinese companies: This is one of the core opportunity markets for China's new energy vehicles to go abroad in 2025! The zero-tariff policy directly doubles the price competitiveness of China's new energy vehicles. Coupled with Uzbekistan's long-term goal of 50% of green energy in 2030, market demand will continue to explode. Data shows that in the first nine months of 2025, China's new energy vehicle exports increased by 89.4% year-on-year, and Uzbekistan's policy dividends are an important driving force. In addition, the tariff on parts and components has been lowered to 5%, creating conditions for China's automobile industry chain to "go out to sea"-companies can rely on Uzbekistan's location advantages to deploy KD assembly plants, realize upgrades from vehicle export to technology + production capacity export, and further reduce localization costs. For used car exports, new energy used cars will also benefit from policy dividends. It is recommended to focus on promoting models with short age and good battery life.

▲  Information sources: Global Times, CCTV. com |  Central Asia's new energy vehicles sailing to sea, China Automobile Association's export data report

2.& nbsp; Kazakhstan + Kyrgyzstan: Limit individual imports and regulate market order

▲ Kazakhstan: Starting from October 20, individuals can only import specific types of vehicles for their own use. The import rights of passenger cars and trucks are limited to enterprises only. A structural safety certificate is required to clarify that personal vehicles are not allowed to be used for commercial activities.

④ Kyrgyzstan: Starting from January, the age limit for imported vehicles will be reduced from 10 years to 7 years.

③ Impact on Chinese companies: Two major policies directly restructure China's automobile export channels to Central Asia! Kazakhstan's personal import restrictions mean that personal channels, which previously accounted for more than 30% of used car exports to Kazakhstan, have been basically closed. Enterprises need to quickly switch to formal trade channels, and must apply for structural safety certificates in advance, entrust local customs clearance agents in Kazakhstan to complete customs clearance (overseas companies cannot directly declare customs), and prepare bilingual documents to avoid delays. The vehicle age limit in Kyrgyzstan will be reduced from 10 years to 7 years, which will eliminate about 40% of China's old used car sources, forcing companies to optimize the vehicle source structure and focus on high-quality used cars in recent years. In the long run, policy norms will help leading enterprises establish stable cooperative relationships. It is recommended to combine the digital reform of China-Kazakhstan customs clearance (such as the "Tez Customs" platform reducing customs clearance to 30 minutes) to improve logistics efficiency and reduce costs.

▲  Information sources: Harbin Communications Agency, Dongguan city Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Dongguan city People's Government), understand the car emperor |  Original text of Kazakhstan policy and interpretation of China-Kazakhstan trade and customs clearance policies

3. African market: tariff reductions + localization requirements, opportunities and thresholds coexist

The African market has great demand potential, but policy adjustments in 2025 will focus on "standardizing the import process" and "promoting localized production", putting forward new requirements for the export model of Chinese companies.

1.& nbsp; Algeria: Implementation of multiple regulations, extension of customs clearance cycle

④ Core policies: Starting from June 8, vehicle containers need to be transported to approved inland ports for unpacking; used cars only accept left-hand steering vehicles with the first registration of less than 3 years ago. Individuals import one vehicle every 3 years. Enterprises need to import it from the Ministry of Industry. Approval; All eight types of documents are indispensable, and if missing will be detained in Hong Kong; tariffs on some vehicle models will be reduced by 40%. Subsequently, it was further clarified that enterprises are not allowed to use personal channels to import.

③ Impact on Chinese enterprises: The policy presents the dual attributes of "good + pressure"! A 40% tariff cut directly activates the price advantage of China's economy cars and promotes the market share of China cars in Algeria to soar from 12% to 40%. Among them, used cars have contributed significantly-the Middle East and Africa are already the core markets for China's used car exports. In the first seven months of 2025, the overall growth rate of Guangdong's used car exports to the Middle East exceeded 1.4 times. However, the challenges cannot be ignored: First, the customs clearance cycle has been extended from 30 days to 45-60 days, which has greatly increased corporate capital occupation and inventory pressure, especially with significant impact on small and medium-sized importers; second, the tightening of personal import channels (1 vehicle every 3 years) and companies are prohibited from borrowing, forcing used car export companies to establish formal trade channels and improve eight types of necessary documents, otherwise they will face the risk of being stranded in Hong Kong. It is recommended that companies cooperate with local qualified agents in advance to optimize the document process to cope with customs clearance changes.

▲  Information sources: 21st Century Business Herald, West Asia and Africa Department of the Ministry of Commerce |  Report on the used car export market and interpretation of Algeria policies

2.& nbsp; Nigeria: The localization requirements of electric vehicles are strict and direct imports are restricted

④ Core policy: The Senate passed the "Electric Vehicle Transformation and Green Travel Act of 2025" on first reading. Foreign car companies are not allowed to import or sell electric vehicles without cooperating with Nigeria assemblers; assembly plants need to be built within three years after operation, and 30% of parts and components will be purchased locally by 2030.

③ Impact on Chinese companies: Direct import channels are strictly restricted, forcing China automobile companies to change their export models to Nepal. In the short term, companies need to quickly establish cooperation with local assemblers in Nigeria, otherwise they will lose market access qualifications and the cost of early cooperation negotiation and adaptation will be high. However, in the long run, the localization layout is in line with the dividends of Nigeria's new energy transformation-behind the policy is the urgent local demand for green travel. China car companies can take advantage of their own industrial chain and gradually promote localized procurement of parts and components on the basis of cooperative assembly (30% requirement in 2030), and establish a localization system from production to sales. Referring to the experience of other African markets, localized production can not only circumvent trade barriers, but also reduce logistics costs. It is recommended that powerful automobile companies plan in advance to avoid missing market opportunities.

▲ Information source: West Asia and Africa Department of the Ministry of Commerce

4. Other key markets: Tariff shocks and policy adjustments, exports need to respond flexibly

1.& nbsp; United States: Add tariffs, forcing localization of production capacity

A 25% tariff will be imposed on imported cars starting from April 3, and a 25% tariff will be imposed on key parts and components starting from May 3. Subsequently, the tariff will only be reduced to 10%-15% for countries that have reached an agreement. For Chinese companies, export costs have soared and price competitiveness has been lost. They need to accelerate the expansion of local production capacity or seek tariff exemptions.

2.& nbsp; Russia: Taxes and taxes soar, transit channels are blocked

Starting from January, the tariff on imported vehicles will be raised to 20%-38%, which will be added to the 70%-85% scrapping tax increase in October 2024, and at the same time, the loopholes in re-export of third countries will be closed. China's complete vehicle exports to Russia have plummeted sharply. Russia is no longer China's largest export market for automobiles, forcing localized production.

3.& nbsp; Britain, South Korea, Japan: Policy adjustments affect market competition

▲ Britain: Extend the sales time limit for hybrid models to 2035, relax the time limit for electric vehicle sales to reach the standard, and benefit China's exports of hybrid and new energy vehicles.

▲ South Korea: Reduce vehicle purchase taxes, increase subsidies for electric vehicles, promote diversification of export markets, overlap with China's export target markets, and intensify competition.

▲ Japan: Reconstructing the automobile supply chain to deal with U.S. tariffs may affect the stability of global parts supply. Chinese companies need to pay attention to supply chain security.

Important reminder:

1. The policies of GCC member states are highly synergistic and need to be interpreted in conjunction with the overall regional policy;

2. Some policies are transitional arrangements and may be adjusted subsequently. It is recommended to continue to pay attention to official developments;

3. Export companies need to adapt to target country standards in advance, optimize compliance processes, and reduce the risk of policy changes.

The intensive adjustment of global automobile import policies in 2025 is both a challenge and an opportunity to reshuffle. For China car companies, only by accurately grasping policy guidance, improving product compliance, and flexibly adjusting export strategies can they gain a firm foothold in global market competition.

Source: Used car exports

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