SafeImport Package
Buy a Chinese EV without carrying a single import risk
Anyone bringing an electric car from China has six legitimate worries: customs, registration, warranty, software, data privacy and resale. The SafeImport Package answers each one — not with promises, but with a clearly defined service module. Fixed price before you sign, German sales contract with statutory warranty, registration-ready handover.
The risk map: what can go wrong — and how we cover it
We won't sugar-coat it: a self-organised direct import carries real risks. That is exactly why every point on this map is a fixed part of our process.
Customs & import duties
The risk: EU countervailing duties on Chinese EVs, import VAT and customs formalities can eat the expected price advantage — or lead to back-payments if the declaration is wrong.
How we cover it: All duties are included in the fixed-price offer and itemised individually. Our team handles the entire customs process — you see the final price before signing, and it does not change afterwards.
EU type approval & registration
The risk: Vehicles without an EC Certificate of Conformity need an individual approval. Underestimate this and you own a car that is not allowed on the road.
How we cover it: Homologation is our core business: we prepare every vehicle for individual approval under §21 StVZO, coordinate the full inspection with independent testing organisations (TÜV, DEKRA) and hand over registration-ready with all documents.
Warranty & statutory rights
The risk: Chinese manufacturers' warranties often do not apply in Europe, or only partially — a self-importer is on their own when something breaks.
How we cover it: You buy from a German dealer with full statutory warranty. On top of that, our E-Protect warranty programme covers drivetrain, battery and electronics — and we handle every claim for you.
Software, connectivity & charging
The risk: China-market cars can cause trouble without adaptation: navigation maps, app services, language packs and some charging standards are built for the home market.
How we cover it: Before handover we test and configure every car for European use: language, maps, charging behaviour at CCS stations. Whatever a model cannot do, we tell you before you buy — not after.
Data privacy & vehicle data
The risk: Connected cars transmit telemetry and usage data — with China-market models often to servers outside the EU. For many buyers and every fleet this is a deal-breaker if it stays unclear.
How we cover it: We document per model which services transmit which data, and configure the car for data minimisation on request. Full details in our Compliance & Security Center.
Resale value
The risk: An imported vehicle without a clean history and documentation is hard to sell later.
How we cover it: You receive a complete vehicle file: sales contract, customs documents, inspection report, service history. Through our certified pre-owned marketplace we actively help you resell — or take the car in part-exchange.
Who carries what — no fine print
An honest offer means saying clearly what we take on and what stays with you.
What we take on
- Sourcing, purchase handling and quality control in China
- Sea freight, transport insurance and customs clearance including all duties
- Individual approval, full inspection and registration-ready paperwork
- European configuration of software, maps and charging settings
- Statutory warranty as your German contract partner
- Warranty claims handling and service-case coordination after the purchase
What stays with you
- Choosing model and configuration — we advise honestly, you decide
- Local registration and insurance (we handle registration on request)
- Your charging setup at home — we tell you upfront what the car supports
- Patience for production and sea freight — we quote realistic dates, not optimistic ones
The service modules inside the SafeImport Package
Not a blanket promise but five named modules. Each one is part of every vehicle purchase at Auto China.
Sourcing & purchase handling
Vehicle sourcing directly from the manufacturer or authorised dealer in China, new cars with first delivery, inbound inspection before shipping.
Transport & customs
Containerised sea freight, transport insurance, complete customs clearance with all import duties — included in the fixed price and itemised.
Homologation & registration
Preparation and execution of the individual approval (§21 StVZO), full inspection by TÜV or DEKRA, data sheet and all papers for the registration office.
Warranty & service
Statutory warranty plus the E-Protect programme for drivetrain, battery and electronics. Service cases are coordinated through our workshop network.
Handover & onboarding
Personal handover with an introduction to car, app and charging, complete vehicle file, German- and English-speaking contact person after the sale.
How your import runs — in five steps
Consultation & configuration
Configure online with transparent import calculation, or talk to us first. If an import does not make sense for your case, we will tell you that too.
Fixed-price offer
One final price with every module: vehicle, freight, customs, taxes, homologation, warranty. No line item is added later.
Production & transport
Order, quality control, shipping and customs clearance. You receive a status update at every milestone.
Homologation
Individual approval and full inspection in Germany, European software configuration, final check.
Handover & after-sales
Registration-ready handover with the complete file. Then ServicePlus begins: workshop network, warranty handling, spare parts.
Frequently asked questions about the SafeImport Package
Is a car from Auto China a grey import?
No. Every vehicle is individually approved in Germany, inspected by TÜV or DEKRA and handed over with German papers. You buy with a German sales contract and statutory warranty from a German dealer — not from a middleman abroad.
What happens when I have a warranty claim?
You report the case to us — in German or English, by phone or e-mail. We coordinate diagnosis and repair through our workshop network and handle the warranty process. You never negotiate with a manufacturer in China yourself.
Is really every cost included in the price?
Yes. Vehicle, sea freight, transport insurance, customs, import VAT, homologation and handover are itemised in the fixed price. What remains are only the items every car purchase has: registration and insurance — and we handle registration on request.
How long does the import take?
Realistically three to five months from order, depending on model and production schedule: production, sea freight and homologation take their time. We give you a delivery window before you sign and report at every milestone. Some models are in stock and available much faster.
Do software, navigation and charging work in Europe?
We configure every car for Europe before handover: language, maps, charging behaviour at CCS stations. Where a model has limitations — for example with individual app services — we tell you before you buy. That honesty is part of the package.
Can I resell the car later?
Yes — and more easily than most self-imports: you have a complete vehicle file with sales contract, customs documents, inspection report and service history. Through our certified pre-owned marketplace we actively support the resale, or take the car in part-exchange.
Run the numbers yourself
Our configurator shows the fixed price including all import costs — for every model, no registration required. Or talk to us first.
What comes after the purchase: ServicePlus →Customs, GDPR, battery passport: Compliance & Security Center →
