michaeltorres

Case Study: Shipping a BYD Han to Brazil — Full CIF Landed Cost Breakdown

What does it actually cost to ship a BYD Han to Brazil? If you're an importer, dealer, or fleet buyer sourcing left-hand-drive EVs from China, the sticker price you see on a listing is only the beginning. The real number — the one that hits your bank account — is the CIF landed cost: the car delivered to your port, insured, with duties and clearance accounted for. In this cost breakdown, we walk through a realistic BYD Han export to Brazil, component by component, with ranges rather than single figures. Every shipment is different, but this framework gives you the structure to negotiate, budget, and compare options with confidence.

We'll use the BYD Han as our example because it's a well-known left-hand-drive electric sedan that appears on our Compare Chinese EVs for Export tool, alongside models like the BYD Seagull, BYD Dolphin, Geely Galaxy Starwish, and others. Brazil is one of the import guides we cover, so we can speak to the general process. Note: all prices below are indicative ranges for 2026 and must be confirmed at the time of shipment. We never quote a single number because freight, exchange rates, and stock availability move.

Cost Components at a Glance

The table below summarizes the main cost buckets for a single BYD Han shipped from China to a Brazilian port. Treat these as planning ranges, not quotes.

Component Typical Range (USD) Notes
Unit price (FOB China) $28,000 – $38,000 New or low-mileage used; depends on trim, battery, options
MOQ 1 unit No minimum for most models; mixed containers possible
Tooling / sampling $0 – $500 Only if custom badges or minor modifications are requested
Ocean freight (RoRo or container) $1,800 – $3,500 China → Brazil; varies by port, season, and method
Marine insurance $150 – $400 Usually 0.3–0.5% of CIF value
Import duty (II) 10% – 35% of CIF Brazil's EV import duty is phased; check current rate
ICMS (state VAT) 12% – 25% of CIF+II Varies by state; often 18% in São Paulo
IPI (federal excise) 0% – 10% May be reduced for EVs; confirm at clearance
Port & clearance fees $500 – $1,200 Terminal handling, broker, documentation
Homologation / compliance $300 – $1,500 If required for registration; depends on model year
Total landed cost (CIF) $35,000 – $55,000 Door-to-port; excludes inland transport

Ranges are indicative and depend on destination port, state, and vehicle specification. Confirm at time of shipment.

Unit Price (FOB) and MOQ

FOB means Free On Board — the price of the car loaded at the Chinese port, before international freight or insurance. For a BYD Han, FOB pricing generally falls between $28,000 and $38,000 depending on whether you choose a new or used unit, battery size, and trim. On our model pages, we list 320 models with specs and FOB prices, and the BYD Han is one of the compare options. Because we work factory-direct across every major brand, we can often source multiple units or mix models in one order.

MOQ (minimum order quantity) is typically 1 unit for most Chinese EV exports. There's no tooling cost unless you request custom branding or minor modifications — and even then, sampling or tooling usually stays under $500. This makes it feasible for individual buyers and small dealers to test the market before scaling.

Shipping and Insurance

We ship via RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) or container. RoRo is often cheaper for a single vehicle, while container shipping can be more flexible for multiple units or when you want to add accessories. For Brazil, ocean freight from China generally runs $1,800 – $3,500 per unit, depending on the port pair and season. Marine insurance adds $150 – $400, typically calculated as a small percentage of the CIF value. We handle the booking and provide the full export document set: invoice, packing list, bill of lading (BL), and certificate of origin.

Import Duties and Taxes in Brazil

Brazil's import tax structure for EVs includes several layers. The Import Duty (II) is currently phased and can range from 10% to 35% of the CIF value, depending on year and government policy. On top of that, ICMS (state-level VAT) ranges from 12% to 25%, with 18% common in São Paulo. IPI (federal excise) may be 0% – 10% for electric vehicles. These percentages apply to the CIF value plus the import duty, so they compound. This is why the landed cost can be 20–60% higher than FOB, as noted in our compare FAQ.

Homologation and Clearance

Homologation is the process of confirming a vehicle meets local safety and emissions standards. For Brazil, some models may require homologation for registration, which can cost $300 – $1,500 and take additional time. Your customs broker will also charge port and clearance fees of $500 – $1,200. We supply the documentation your broker needs, but we always recommend working with a local customs broker who knows the specific port and state requirements.

Realistic Landed-Cost Comparison Across Options

To make this concrete, here's a comparison of three sourcing routes for a BYD Han to Brazil, using the same range-based approach:

Option FOB (USD) Freight + Insurance Duties & Taxes Clearance & Homologation Estimated Landed Cost (USD)
New BYD Han, high trim $35,000 – $38,000 $2,000 – $3,900 $8,000 – $15,000 $800 – $2,700 $45,800 – $59,600
Used BYD Han, 1–2 years old $28,000 – $32,000 $1,800 – $3,500 $6,500 – $12,500 $800 – $2,700 $37,100 – $50,700
Alternative model (e.g., BYD Dolphin) $18,000 – $24,000 $1,500 – $3,000 $4,000 – $9,000 $700 – $2,200 $24,200 – $38,200

All figures are indicative for 2026 and must be confirmed at time of shipment.

As you can see, the BYD Han sits in the mid-to-upper range. If your budget is tighter, a smaller model like the BYD Dolphin or BYD Seagull could land for significantly less. But if you need a larger sedan with more range and presence, the Han may justify the premium.

How to Get a Precise Quote in 24 Hours

Because every shipment is unique, the best next step is to request a CIF quote tailored to your destination port and quantity. We return full landed-cost quotes within 24 hours via WhatsApp. Just send the model, destination country, port, and quantity. We'll confirm stock, lock pricing, and prepare export documents. Typical payment terms are a deposit to confirm and balance before shipment or against documents.

Contact us on WhatsApp at +8615556920288 or email mengluca2026@gmail.com. You can also visit our import guide for Brazil for more country-specific details. Let's turn a factory price into a real, landed cost — no surprises.