KaufratgeberAktualisiert 1. Nov. 2026
How to import a Chinese electric car into Albania (2026)
Diese Seite ist auf Englisch.
CRAVEUO EV Export · Sources last checked 2026-11-01 · General information, not legal advice. We do not clear customs in Albania. Nothing here is a promise or a quote.
Quick answer
On tax, a new pure-electric car is treated lightly in Albania. The paperwork is the hurdle. Albanian customs says charges on passenger cars consist only of VAT, and VAT law exempts electric-only cars that are new, at zero km and never registered abroad. The car then needs a conformity document from the manufacturer to be registered. We found no official statement that a China-market document is accepted. Check that before you pay.
Key facts
Customs duty
New pure electric, 0 km: None. Customs lists VAT as the only charge on heading 8703 (customs page, undated). PwC also gives 0%. One consultant's guide says 10–15% for non-EU origin, so ask customs to confirm for a China-built car
Used pure electric: Same customs text
VAT
New pure electric, 0 km: Exempt under Article 51(p) of Law 92/2014 (PwC, reviewed 22 July 2026; ALTAX)
Used pure electric: No exemption found. Standard rate is 20%
Excise on cars
New pure electric, 0 km: Not mentioned by customs. A consultant's guide ties it to engine size and CO2. We found no EV rule
Used pure electric: Same
Annual vehicle tax
New pure electric, 0 km: Draft: a flat 15,000 lek a year from 1 January (press, 29 Oct 2026). Not yet law when we checked
Used pure electric: Same draft
First registration fees
New pure electric, 0 km: 2,000 lek inspection, 2,500 lek circulation permit, 4,000 lek for two plates (DPSHTRR)
Used pure electric: Different list
| Item | New pure electric, 0 km | Used pure electric |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | None. Customs lists VAT as the only charge on heading 8703 (customs page, undated). PwC also gives 0%. One consultant's guide says 10–15% for non-EU origin, so ask customs to confirm for a China-built car | Same customs text |
| VAT | Exempt under Article 51(p) of Law 92/2014 (PwC, reviewed 22 July 2026; ALTAX) | No exemption found. Standard rate is 20% |
| Excise on cars | Not mentioned by customs. A consultant's guide ties it to engine size and CO2. We found no EV rule | Same |
| Annual vehicle tax | Draft: a flat 15,000 lek a year from 1 January (press, 29 Oct 2026). Not yet law when we checked | Same draft |
| First registration fees | 2,000 lek inspection, 2,500 lek circulation permit, 4,000 lek for two plates (DPSHTRR) | Different list |
The EU's extra duties on China-built electric cars (Regulation 2024/2754 (search excerpt, not opened)) apply to imports into the EU. Albania is not an EU member, so they are not part of an Albanian import.
The exemption has a narrow edge. A car registered anywhere else first, even briefly, falls outside the wording. Some export cars are registered once before they leave China. Ask for the registration history in writing.
The document that decides it
For a new car, DPSHTRR, the road transport agency asks for an original conformity certificate, or a document with all the necessary technical data, issued by the manufacturer. Its CoC page describes the certificate as proof that the car matches a type approved under EU law, and it checks format, security features, VIN and approval number.
Two things follow:
- A car built to an EU type, with a CoC for that VIN, fits this path.
- A car built for China normally has no EU type approval. The "document with technical data" wording may leave room, but we found no page saying how it is treated. We read this as the main risk.
If a CoC has not been seen before or its authenticity is in doubt, the owner can file a request. DPSHTRR then checks it and may contact the manufacturer. Do that before the car leaves China, if you can.
Who can import, and other limits
Private buyers
Allowed. An individual must first register a personal ID in the Asycuda World customs system (customs)
Foreign residents
A foreign owner applies with a valid Albanian residence permit (DPSHTRR)
Emission floor
New M1 cars need at least Euro 5, used cars at least Euro 4 (DPSHTRR). We found no page saying how a car with no tailpipe is entered
Extra verification
The list names Gulf states, South Korea, non-EU European countries and older cars. China is not named
Inspection
New cars can run 3 years without a periodic technical check (DPSHTRR)
Without plates
The car cannot be driven. It goes by tow truck (DPSHTRR)
Steering
One commercial shipper (search excerpt, not opened) says right-hand drive is banned. We found no official text. China-market cars are left-hand drive
Charging
We found no official connector rule. Ask which port your car has
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Private buyers | Allowed. An individual must first register a personal ID in the Asycuda World customs system (customs) |
| Foreign residents | A foreign owner applies with a valid Albanian residence permit (DPSHTRR) |
| Emission floor | New M1 cars need at least Euro 5, used cars at least Euro 4 (DPSHTRR). We found no page saying how a car with no tailpipe is entered |
| Extra verification | The list names Gulf states, South Korea, non-EU European countries and older cars. China is not named |
| Inspection | New cars can run 3 years without a periodic technical check (DPSHTRR) |
| Without plates | The car cannot be driven. It goes by tow truck (DPSHTRR) |
| Steering | One commercial shipper (search excerpt, not opened) says right-hand drive is banned. We found no official text. China-market cars are left-hand drive |
| Charging | We found no official connector rule. Ask which port your car has |
Models to ask about
China guide prices, not delivered prices. All are pure electric.
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥109,800
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥176,800
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥298,000
| Model | Type | China guide price from |
|---|---|---|
| Aion V | Battery-electric | ¥109,800 |
| XPeng G6 | Battery-electric | ¥176,800 |
| NIO ET5 | Battery-electric | ¥298,000 |
Send your country, model and version through the inquiry form. We tell you whether we can supply that car before any contract.
How an order works
- Ask DPSHTRR, in writing, whether the manufacturer document for your exact version is accepted.
- Ask customs to confirm the duty and VAT treatment for your car's heading and origin.
- Get a contract from the licensed Chinese export company, stating that the car is new, at zero km and never registered. Nothing is paid before it is signed, and payment goes only to the company account on the invoice.
- Clear the car through Asycuda World, then move it by tow truck to the regional DPSHTRR office.
- Complete identification, physical control, insurance and plates.
Häufige Fragen
Is a new electric car free of VAT in Albania?
Do I pay customs duty?
Do I need a CoC?
Do plug-in hybrids get the exemption?
Will EV owners pay an annual tax?
Fahrzeuge für den Einstieg
Möchten Sie eines dieser Fahrzeuge in Ihr Land verschiffen lassen?
Nennen Sie uns Ihr Land und die Version; wir antworten innerhalb eines Werktags mit einem FOB-Richtpreis und dem Exportweg.
Sources (checked 2026-11-01)
- Albanian Customs: vehicle clearance, undated
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Albania, reviewed 2026-07-22
- ALTAX: VAT on electric vehicles, adviser's commentary
- DPSHTRR: new vehicle registration
- DPSHTRR: certificate of conformity
- DPSHTRR: vehicles not allowed
- DPSHTRR: special verification
- DPSHTRR: steps after import
- Gazeta Shqiptare: vehicle tax draft, press, 2026-10-29
- Sherbime Kontabiliteti: import duties, consultant, 2026-03-01
- EU Regulation 2024/2754 (search excerpt, not opened)
Dieser Leitfaden ist keine Rechts- oder Zollberatung; maßgeblich sind der Zoll des Ziellandes und ein zugelassener Zollagent.