How to Import a New Chinese EV into Peru in 2026

Updated 27 Oct 2026. Craveuo sells new-energy vehicles FOB China through authorised exporters. We do not handle destination customs, so use a licensed Peruvian customs agent (agente de aduanas). Nothing here is a promise or a quote from Craveuo.

Short answer

Peru accepts new Chinese electric cars, and the main import cost is 18% IGV and IPM (16% plus 2%) on the customs value plus any duty. New electric cars are outside the ISC excise list, and duty should be 0% for Chinese-origin cars under the Peru-China free trade agreement (to be confirmed with a licensed customs broker). Each model must be homologated for Peru, and used cars are allowed only within narrow limits, so buy new. Budget roughly USD 5,400 to 7,500 in taxes on a USD 30,000 CIF car, plus an IGV advance payment at customs.

New cars preferred, used cars tightly limited

• Peru does allow used vehicles, but SUNAT sets minimum quality rules: at most 2 years from the model year, and at most 32,000 km for category M1 cars (SUNAT, vehicle import pages; Supreme Decree 005-2020-MTC). The car must have left-hand steering fitted at the factory, and a right-hand-drive car converted to left-hand is refused (SUNAT, quality requirements page).
• SUNAT's page on used cars speaks only of gasoline vehicles and bans used diesel cars. It does not say how used electric cars are treated, so this is to be confirmed.
• Used passenger cars also carry a heavy ISC. An electromobility report says used electrified cars still pay 40% ISC (EU-linked CARD report, Oct 2024, citing Supreme Decree 181-2019-EF). Buy new.
• For new cars we found no drive-side rule. Peru drives on the right, so left-hand drive is the sensible choice. This is to be confirmed with a customs broker.
• Who may import new cars: the homologation holder, or another importer that holds a letter from the manufacturer or its authorised Peruvian representative (SUNAT, see homologation below). Whether a private buyer can do this alone is to be confirmed.

Duty, IGV and ISC

• Customs duty. Duty is charged on the customs value, which is FOB plus freight plus insurance (SUNAT, taxes page). Peru and China have a free trade agreement in force since 1 March 2010 (Lehman Law FAQ). In Peru's schedule, passenger-car lines under heading 8703 show a 9% base rate and staging category C, which means ten equal annual cuts to duty-free on 1 January of year ten (Peru-China FTA Annex 2b on MOFCOM; Annex 2 explanation on the Peruvian trade-agreements site). On our reading that is 0% from 2019 for Chinese-origin cars. The 2009 schedule predates the electric-car subheadings (8703.80), so we assume they follow the "other" line, which is to be confirmed. You need the FTA certificate of origin, whose form is published on the same Peruvian site.
• Duty without the FTA. We found no official figure for the general rate. A vendor comparison table lists 6% for electric cars (Aladda, vendor page, undated), which we could not check against the tariff, so we do not rely on it. The table below shows both cases.
• IGV and IPM. IGV is 16% and the municipal promotion tax (IPM) is 2%, charged on customs value plus duty plus ISC, if any (SUNAT, taxes page). Total 18%.
• ISC. SUNAT states that new hybrid, gas and electric passenger cars are outside the ISC, citing the reasoning of Supreme Decree 095-2018-EF (SUNAT report 081-2018, 2018). The current ISC appendix, updated to 13 Sep 2024, lists only gasoline cars (5% or 10%) and diesel cars (20%) among new passenger cars (SUNAT, ISC Appendix IV). We saw older material quoting a 10% ISC on electric cars; it predates the 2018 decree and is not used here.
• IGV advance (percepción). On imports for consumption SUNAT collects an advance on the value plus all import taxes: 10% for a first-time importer, 5% for used goods and 3.5% otherwise (SUNAT, perception regime page). Rules on when the 10% applies may have changed in 2026, and whether and how the advance is credited back is to be confirmed.
• Incentives. We found no enacted general incentive for private EV buyers. A 2023 committee draft removed tax benefits for EV importers and kept an IGV and ISC exemption only for hybrids and gas cars to December 2026, and the finance ministry opposed it (Gestion, 15 Jun 2023). Whether a later law passed is to be confirmed.

Estimate for a USD 30,000 CIF battery-electric car

The IGV advance is a payment on account, not a final tax, but its treatment is to be confirmed (at 10% it would be USD 3,540 and 3,752). Excluded: freight, insurance, agent, port and storage, homologation fees, registration and inland transport. Confirm every line with a licensed customs broker.

Homologation and registration

• On the customs declaration (DAM) for a new vehicle the importer must show the vehicle identification code, the homologation registry number and the registrable features required by the National Vehicle Regulation. If the importer is not the one who did the homologation, SUNAT can ask for a letter from the manufacturer or its authorised Peruvian representative, or a Conformity Certificate from a body authorised by the transport ministry's road transport directorate (DGCT) (SUNAT, vehicle import page). Homologation covers new models brought in, built or assembled in Peru (CARD report, Oct 2024).
• Homologation time, fees and technical tests for Chinese models were not found, so they are to be confirmed with the transport ministry (MTC) or the broker. Peru's emission standard for new cars is also to be confirmed.
• Registration is with SUNARP. Since 2 Jan 2024 new imported cars can be registered digitally by a notary or an authorised agent of the importer or dealer, and the owner then receives the electronic vehicle card and an order to have the plates made (Gestion, 17 Nov 2023). Fees and exact steps are to be confirmed.
• Charging standards (connector type, AC and DC) and any requirement from the energy regulator were not found and are to be confirmed.

Ports and shipping

Sources quote transit to Callao, near Lima. Container transit from Shanghai or Shenzhen is about 25 to 35 days on direct services and 30 to 40 days with transshipment (Good Hope Freight, forwarder page). COSCO's direct service to the new port of Chancay was announced at about 23 days from Shanghai (Peru Retail, 8 Jan 2025, operator claim). We found no roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transit time for Peru, so ask your forwarder. Batteries are shipped as UN3556, Class 9 dangerous goods, under IMDG amendment 42-24, mandatory since 1 Jan 2026 (Britannia P&I). Allow another one to four weeks for customs, homologation paperwork and registration, which is an unsourced planning guess.

Payment and fraud

• Sign a written contract before any deposit.
• Pay only to the seller's named account, after checking the seller's identity.
• If bank details change, verify by phone using a number you already hold.
• Be wary of prices far below market and of sellers who refuse a contract.