If you are sourcing a used GWM from China, the steering wheel position is not a minor spec — it decides whether your unit can be registered at all. Every GWM unit we stock is left-hand drive (LHD). That single fact filters your destination list before you ever discuss price, shipping, or duty.
Below is a cost breakdown for exporting LHD GWM models, followed by a market-by-market registration check and a realistic landed-cost comparison across three common destination types. GWM Export is an independent exporter, not affiliated with GWM. We deal in real listings, real mileage, and reference FOB prices.
Cost components at a glance
| Component | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price (FOB China) | $6,500–$13,800 for Fengjun family; varies by model | Reference FOB, based on real listings |
| MOQ | 1 unit | No minimum order for most listings |
| Tooling / sampling | $0 | Used vehicles, no tooling |
| Inland transport to port | $150–$400 | Tianjin or Guangzhou yards |
| Ocean freight (RoRo) | $700–$2,200 | Depends on route and size |
| Ocean freight (container) | $1,200–$3,500 | 20ft or 40ft, shared or sole use |
| Marine insurance | 0.3%–0.8% of CIF | Recommended |
| Destination duty | 5%–35% of CIF | Country-specific |
| VAT / GST | 0%–20% | Country-specific |
| Customs clearance & port fees | $250–$900 | Broker, terminal, inspection |
| Registration & compliance | $100–$600 | Homologation, plates, roadworthy |
Ranges are indicative and move with route, season, and model. Always request a current quote.
Unit price: what a real listing looks like
Take the Fengjun family. We hold 97 units, model years 2019–2023, all LHD, sourced from the China domestic market. Reference FOB prices range from $6,500 to $13,800.
Real examples from our stock: - 2023 Fengjun 5 2.0T 2WD Elite Long Cargo Box Pickup, 88,000 km, LHD, FOB $12,800 - 2021 Fengjun 5 2.4 4x4 Adventurous Big Double Cab Pickup, 70,000 km, LHD, FOB $10,200 - 2020 Fengjun 5 2.0T Diesel 2WD Elite Edition Large Double Cab Pickup, 33,000 km, LHD, FOB $8,800 - 2021 Fengjun 5 2.0T 2WD Elite Long Cargo Box Pickup, 40,000 km, LHD, FOB $11,800
Each listing carries real mileage, registration date, and photos. You confirm condition on WhatsApp before committing. That is the unit price side — but it is only the first line of your landed cost.
MOQ and sampling
There is no tooling cost and no sampling cost for used vehicles. MOQ is effectively one unit. If you are an importer testing a new market, you can order a single GWM, run it through customs, and register it. If it works, you scale. This matters for LHD markets where you want to verify homologation before committing to a container load.
Inland transport and port selection
We hold stock at two Chinese yards: Tianjin and Guangzhou. Which port your unit ships from affects inland transport and the sailing schedule.
- Tianjin: better for Russia, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia routes.
- Guangzhou: better for Middle East, Africa, and Latin America routes.
Inland transport to either port typically runs $150–$400 depending on distance and vehicle size. This is a real cost, not a rounding error — factor it into your FOB-to-CIF calculation.
Ocean freight: RoRo vs container
Two ways cars leave China.
Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo): the vehicle is driven on and off the ship. Cheaper for running vehicles, but schedule-dependent and less protection. Typical range: $700–$2,200.
Container: the vehicle is secured inside a 20ft or 40ft box. More protection, more flexible scheduling, higher cost. Typical range: $1,200–$3,500. For high-value or low-clearance units, container is often worth it.
Marine insurance is separate, usually 0.3%–0.8% of CIF. Do not skip it.
Duties and taxes: the biggest variable
This is where LHD registration and cost intersect. Duty is calculated on CIF value (cost, insurance, freight). Rates range from 5% to 35% depending on destination and vehicle classification. Pickups are often treated differently from passenger cars — sometimes lower, sometimes higher.
VAT or GST adds another 0%–20%. Some markets exempt used vehicles temporarily; others apply full rate immediately.
Use China Customs export data and your destination country customs authority tariff schedule for the exact code. World Bank Doing Business reports and ITA country guides are useful cross-checks for process steps, not for rates.
Registration: which markets accept LHD GWM
Every unit we stock is LHD. Here is how to check your destination.
Russia and CIS (Russia, Kazakhstan): LHD is standard. Russia requires LHD for registration. Kazakhstan likewise. Both are active destinations for our stock. Expect duty and VAT on CIF, plus a utilization fee for some categories. Confirm current rates with Russian or Kazakh customs.
Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE): LHD is required. RHD is not registrable for normal use. Both markets are on our shipping destination list. Duty is typically 5% for GCC countries, with VAT in Saudi Arabia and UAE. Homologation may apply for newer models.
Africa (Nigeria, Kenya): Mixed. Nigeria is LHD. Kenya is RHD — a left-hand drive GWM cannot be registered there for normal road use. This is a hard stop. If your destination is Kenya, LHD is the wrong product. We ship to Nigeria, which is LHD-compatible.
Latin America (Mexico, Chile): LHD is standard. Both are registrable for LHD GWM. Mexico applies duty and VAT; Chile has its own tariff schedule. Both are on our destination list.
If your market is RHD — Kenya, for example — we cannot help with registration. We can tell you that upfront rather than after you have paid freight.
Documents that travel with the unit
Every export includes the commercial invoice, bill of lading (B/L), and certificate of origin (COO). Your customs broker will ask for these. The COO matters for preferential duty where a trade agreement exists. The B/L is your title document in most cases.
Ask for the document set before you pay. If a seller cannot show you a sample invoice and B/L format, that is a signal.
Landed-cost comparison: three realistic scenarios
Assume a 2020 Fengjun 5 2.0T Diesel 2WD Elite, 33,000 km, FOB $8,800. LHD. Shipped from Guangzhou.
Scenario A — Nigeria (LHD, RoRo): - FOB: $8,800 - Inland + port: $300 - RoRo freight: $1,400 - Insurance: $80 - CIF: ~$10,580 - Duty 20% + VAT 7.5%: ~$2,900 - Clearance + registration: ~$700 - Landed: ~$14,180
Scenario B — Kazakhstan (LHD, RoRo via Tianjin): - FOB: $8,800 - Inland + port: $250 - RoRo freight: $900 - Insurance: $70 - CIF: ~$10,020 - Duty 15% + VAT 12%: ~$2,700 - Clearance + registration: ~$500 - Landed: ~$13,220
Scenario C — UAE (LHD, container): - FOB: $8,800 - Inland + port: $300 - Container freight: $1,800 - Insurance: $90 - CIF: ~$10,990 - Duty 5% + VAT 5%: ~$1,100 - Clearance + registration: ~$600 - Landed: ~$12,690
All figures are ranges, not quotes. Freight moves weekly. Duty schedules change. Use these as planning anchors, then request a current landed-cost estimate for your exact destination.
What to check before you commit
- Is your destination LHD or RHD? If RHD, stop.
- What is the duty and VAT rate on CIF for your vehicle class?
- Which port — Tianjin or Guangzhou — gives you the better route?
- RoRo or container? Weigh protection against cost.
- Do you have the invoice, B/L, and COO in hand before payment?
We are an independent exporter. We are not affiliated with GWM. We stock LHD units, publish real mileage, and quote reference FOB prices. If you need a specific unit checked against your market, send the listing reference on WhatsApp and we will confirm LHD and destination fit.
The steering wheel decides your market. Get that right first, then the cost breakdown falls into place.