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KaufratgeberAktualisiert 1. Nov. 2026

How to import a Chinese electric car into Nicaragua (2026)

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CRAVEUO EV Export · Sources last checked 2026-11-01 · General information, not legal advice. We do not clear customs in Nicaragua. Nothing here is a promise or a quote.

Quick answer

Yes, and timing is the main issue. Law 1111 gives new pure-electric cars relief from duty, selective tax and IVA by value band, but only for five years from entry into force. The law took effect on publication on 22 February 2022, so by our count the relief ends around 22 February 2027. We found no extension. A car ordered now may not arrive in time, so check this before you sign. Used electric cars are outside this relief, and right-hand drive is banned, new or used.

Key facts

Relief by customs value (cost, insurance and freight), from Law 1111, Art. 3 g:

Up to USD 30,000
Duty (DAI): 100%
Selective tax (ISC): 100%
IVA: 100%
USD 30,000.01 to 45,000
Duty (DAI): 100%
Selective tax (ISC): 75%
IVA: 50%
USD 45,000.01 to 60,000
Duty (DAI): 50%
Selective tax (ISC): 50%
IVA: 0%
USD 60,000.01 and above
Duty (DAI): 0%
Selective tax (ISC): 0%
IVA: 0%

Customs value	Duty (DAI)	Selective tax (ISC)	IVA
Up to USD 30,000	100%	100%	100%
USD 30,000.01 to 45,000	100%	75%	50%
USD 45,000.01 to 60,000	50%	50%	0%
USD 60,000.01 and above	0%	0%	0%

For a passenger electric car of up to 5 seats, the ministry's list shows columns of 10 for DAI, 35 for ISC and 15 for IVA. We read those as the rates, so a car above USD 60,000, or any car after the relief ends, faces them in full. Confirm this with a customs agent.

The law does not say whether the band applies to the whole value or only the excess. A law firm reads it as applying to the excess. Ask before you price a car above USD 30,000.

Who qualifies and how

New only
The relief covers new electric vehicles with no combustion engine. Plug-in hybrids and hybrids are outside it
Listed goods
Goods must match the closed list by tariff line. Passenger cars are 8703.80.00.00 lines
Private buyers
A natural person can apply, with an ID or permanent residence card
Who approves
The Energy Ministry gives technical approval, the Finance Ministry authorises, customs validates (Agreement 011-2022)
Timing
3 working days at each of the two ministries. Corrections within 3 working days, or the request lapses
Customs agent
The request is registered through your customs agent in customs' MODEXO system
Validity
The exoneration form is valid for one month after validation, renewable once if asked before expiry
Documents
Request letter, ID, shipping document, commercial invoice, maker's technical sheet in PDF showing make, model, range, battery, charger, weight (Agreement 011-2022)

Rule	Detail
New only	The relief covers new electric vehicles with no combustion engine. Plug-in hybrids and hybrids are outside it
Listed goods	Goods must match the closed list by tariff line. Passenger cars are 8703.80.00.00 lines
Private buyers	A natural person can apply, with an ID or permanent residence card
Who approves	The Energy Ministry gives technical approval, the Finance Ministry authorises, customs validates (Agreement 011-2022)
Timing	3 working days at each of the two ministries. Corrections within 3 working days, or the request lapses
Customs agent	The request is registered through your customs agent in customs' MODEXO system
Validity	The exoneration form is valid for one month after validation, renewable once if asked before expiry
Documents	Request letter, ID, shipping document, commercial invoice, maker's technical sheet in PDF showing make, model, range, battery, charger, weight (Agreement 011-2022)

The form is tied to a shipment, so the bill of lading comes into it. Plan the dates around the one-month validity.

Bans

Steering
New or used cars with right-hand drive are banned, from the factory or modified (Law 891, Art. 282 Bis, as corrected)
Used cars
The same article bans cars over 10 years from manufacture, with narrow exceptions. The US Commercial Guide, published 19 December 2025, says five years or older. We show both
Emissions
Electric cars are exempt from the emission-control device rules of Law 431

Rule	Detail
Steering	New or used cars with right-hand drive are banned, from the factory or modified (Law 891, Art. 282 Bis, as corrected)
Used cars	The same article bans cars over 10 years from manufacture, with narrow exceptions. The US Commercial Guide, published 19 December 2025, says five years or older. We show both
Emissions	Electric cars are exempt from the emission-control device rules of Law 431

The Agreement says the ministries can suspend these procedures at any time, and its life depends on the incentives.

Models to ask about

China guide prices, not delivered prices. All are pure electric. The price shown is not the customs value used for the bands above.

Aion V
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥109,800
XPeng G6
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥176,800
NIO ET5
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 a Nicaraguan customs agent whether the relief still applies on your expected arrival date.
Ask how the value bands apply to your car.
Get a quote from the licensed Chinese export company named in the contract, plus the maker's PDF technical sheet.
Sign. Nothing is paid before it is signed, and payment goes only to the company account on the invoice.
Your agent registers the exoneration form for the shipment. Clear the car, pay what is assessed, then register it.