September 15, 2026 ยท 7 min read
Importing a Chinese EV to South Africa: 25% Duty and an Inverted Carbon Signal
Importing a Chinese EV to South Africa means a 25% customs duty plus 15% VAT and a sliding ad valorem excise. A BYD Seal lands at $41,722. Here is the landed-cost math, the worked example, and why the duty structure penalises the cleaner car.
South Africa EV Import Landed Cost