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Guia de compraAtualizado 30 de out. de 2026

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

Esta página está em inglês.

CRAVEUO EV Export · Sources last checked 2026-10-30 · General information, not legal advice. We do not clear customs in Uruguay. Nothing here is a promise or a quote.

Quick answer

A private person can import a new electric car directly into Uruguay, the Industry Ministry says, but with conditions. Every new car needs an import licence. A model that is not homologated goes through an exception limited to one car a year for each importer. A 2026 rule also ties the private route to no paid local intermediary and at least 4 years of ownership. Pure-electric cars pay 0% duty; hybrids pay 23%. Excise on electric cars changes on 1 Jan 2027.

Key facts

Customs duty, outside Mercosur
Pure electric: 0%
Hybrid and plug-in: 23% (tariff table, Feb 2025)
Consular fee
Pure electric: 5% of customs value
Hybrid and plug-in: 5% (Law 19.535, Art. 265)
IVA
Pure electric: 22% (GTAI, Germany's trade agency)
Hybrid and plug-in: 22%
IMESI to 31 Dec 2026
Pure electric: 0% (press, not the official table)
Hybrid and plug-in: By type and engine size
IMESI from 1 Jan 2027
Pure electric: 0%, 5% or 9% by customs value: up to USD 19,000, up to 27,000, above that (Decree 147/026; the 5% and 9% come from a law firm)
Hybrid and plug-in: Higher, about 7% to 34.5% (press). Official table not read

Item	Pure electric	Hybrid and plug-in
Customs duty, outside Mercosur	0%	23% (tariff table, Feb 2025)
Consular fee	5% of customs value	5% (Law 19.535, Art. 265)
IVA	22% (GTAI, Germany's trade agency)	22%
IMESI to 31 Dec 2026	0% (press, not the official table)	By type and engine size
IMESI from 1 Jan 2027	0%, 5% or 9% by customs value: up to USD 19,000, up to 27,000, above that (Decree 147/026; the 5% and 9% come from a law firm)	Higher, about 7% to 34.5% (press). Official table not read

Who can import

Import licence
Required for every new car, "without exceptions". Issued by the National Industry Directorate. No need to prove you represent the brand (licence page)
Model age
Built in the current or previous year when it enters Uruguay (licence page)
Model not homologated
Exception by VIN for people or companies, one car a year per importer. Apply before you buy (procedure)
Energy label
A private buyer can skip it under a 13 Feb 2026 resolution if no paid intermediary in Uruguay takes part, the buyer keeps the car 4 years, and the invoice, bill of lading and payment are all in the buyer's own name. Customs brokers and logistics do not count as intermediaries
Customs broker
The law gives brokers the customs filing and does not list this case as an exception (Customs Code, Art. 14). We read that as needing a broker; no official page says so for private car imports
Tax registration
We did not find whether a private person needs an RUT or DGI registration
Used cars
Banned with no time limit (Law 19.171), apart from narrow exceptions such as returning Uruguayans and disabled drivers
Steering
No rule found. China-market cars are left-hand drive

Rule	Detail
Import licence	Required for every new car, "without exceptions". Issued by the National Industry Directorate. No need to prove you represent the brand (licence page)
Model age	Built in the current or previous year when it enters Uruguay (licence page)
Model not homologated	Exception by VIN for people or companies, one car a year per importer. Apply before you buy (procedure)
Energy label	A private buyer can skip it under a 13 Feb 2026 resolution if no paid intermediary in Uruguay takes part, the buyer keeps the car 4 years, and the invoice, bill of lading and payment are all in the buyer's own name. Customs brokers and logistics do not count as intermediaries
Customs broker	The law gives brokers the customs filing and does not list this case as an exception (Customs Code, Art. 14). We read that as needing a broker; no official page says so for private car imports
Tax registration	We did not find whether a private person needs an RUT or DGI registration
Used cars	Banned with no time limit (Law 19.171), apart from narrow exceptions such as returning Uruguayans and disabled drivers
Steering	No rule found. China-market cars are left-hand drive

An older answer in the URSEA FAQ says a single car for private use is not an exception. It sits beside the 2026 text, which we read as the newer rule. Ask URSEA in writing before you buy.

The private route also has a safety floor: ABS, head restraints, seat belts in every seat and front airbags (Law 19.061, Art. 5). Check the exact version, because a model homologated by a dealer may not match a China-market car.

Charging and shipping

Public charging points must offer Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC (Decree 225/022). China-market cars charge on GB/T. That standard is on the regulator's register, but we found no official statement that public chargers support it, so ask which plug your car has before you order.

Grimaldi started a monthly RoRo service from Taicang to Montevideo in 2026 (Shippax), with sample sailings of about 31 to 33 days (MundoMarítimo). We did not find whether it takes a single car, or a freight rate we can stand behind, so this site shows FOB prices only.

Models to ask about

China guide prices, not delivered prices. All are pure electric.

Aion V
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥109,800
Changan Qiyuan A06
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥119,900
Deepal L06
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥117,900
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
Changan Qiyuan A06	Battery-electric	¥119,900
Deepal L06	Battery-electric	¥117,900
XPeng G6	Battery-electric	¥176,800
NIO ET5	Battery-electric	¥298,000

Send your city, model and version through the inquiry form. We tell you whether we can supply that car before any contract. Company buyers and dealers follow the same licence and homologation steps.

How an order works

Ask a Uruguayan customs broker whether the model is homologated and which route fits you.
Apply for the exception, if needed, before you buy.
Get a quote from the licensed Chinese export company named in the contract, and check the build year.
Sign the contract. Nothing is paid before it is signed, and payment goes only to the company account on the invoice.
Get the import licence. Your broker clears the car and you pay the taxes assessed. Then register it with your Intendencia; 2026 road tax on a new pure-electric car in the main category is 3%, against 5% for petrol.

Perguntas frequentes

Can a private person import a new electric car?

Yes, the ministry says so, with an import licence and the conditions above.

Do electric cars pay duty?

Pure-electric cars pay 0%; hybrids pay 23%.

Can I import a used electric car?

No, except in narrow cases.

Will IMESI change?

Yes. From 1 Jan 2027 it depends on customs value. The date that counts for your car is something to confirm with your broker.

Can I use a paid agent in Uruguay?

If you want the private energy-label exemption, no paid local intermediary may take part. A customs broker is allowed.

Carros para começar

Quer um destes carros enviado para o seu país?

Diga-nos o seu país e a versão; respondemos em um dia útil com um preço FOB de referência e a rota de exportação.

Solicitar cotação

Sources (checked 2026-10-30)

Este guia não é assessoria jurídica nem aduaneira; decidem a alfândega do destino e um despachante aduaneiro licenciado.