China Car Export Guide to Saudi Arabia: Everything You Need to Know

Who Can Import Vehicles from China?

In Saudi Arabia, the following individuals are eligible to directly import vehicles:

• Saudi nationals
• GCC citizens residing in Saudi Arabia
• Holders of Saudi Iqama residence permits

The first two categories can import up to 2 vehicles per year, while Iqama holders can only import 1 vehicle every 3 years. With car prices in Saudi Arabia being higher than other Gulf countries, many residents prefer direct imports - creating excellent business opportunities for Chinese car exporters, especially used car dealers.

Eligible Vehicles for Export to Saudi Arabia

Vehicles must meet these requirements:

• Non-Israeli origin
• Left-hand drive (no converted RHD vehicles)
• Undamaged body with no accident history
• Never used as police/emergency vehicles or taxis
• Maximum 5 years old (10 years for used heavy trucks)
• Compliant with GCC quality standards
• Meeting Saudi fuel efficiency requirements

Key Regulations

Zhongtong Bus Expands Global Footprint with Record Chile Order and Strong Overseas Performance

Major Export Orders

On March 26, 2025, Zhongtong Bus celebrated the shipment of the first batch of 895 pure electric buses to Chile, marking the largest single export order of Chinese buses to Chile in recent years.

This shipment represents Zhongtong's third "super order" in three years. Previous major contracts include:

• 1,000 buses to Kyrgyzstan (May 20, 2023)
• 1,022 buses to Saudi Arabia (February 21, 2024)

Global Market Presence

As one of China's earliest bus manufacturers and a pioneer in new energy vehicle R&D, Zhongtong has established strong presence across multiple markets:

• Portugal: Largest NEV bus supplier
• Egypt: Pure electric buses operating at the Pyramids
• Singapore: Double-decker electric buses for public transport
• Operations across Central Asia, Middle East, Africa, Americas, and Europe

Recent Market Performance

• Saudi Arabia became Zhongtong's first overseas market to exceed 10,000

Exporting Electric Vehicles to Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Guide

Exporting electric vehicles (EVs) to Saudi Arabia involves a meticulous process to ensure compliance with local regulations and facilitate smooth customs clearance. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process.

Step 1: Ensure Compliance with SASO Regulations

- Understand SASO Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the standards set by the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO), including safety, environmental, and quality management system requirements such as ISO/TS 16949 certification. This ensures your EVs meet the necessary technical and safety standards[5]. - Obtain SASO Certificate of Conformity: Apply for a Type Approval Certificate through SASO's JEEM platform by submitting the required technical file and documents, including the electric vehicle test report, material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the battery, and other necessary

Saudi Arabia's Automotive Market in February 2025: A Mixed Bag for Chinese Brands

Sales Overview and Brand Performance

In February 2025, the Saudi Arabian new light vehicle market saw a significant surge, with sales reaching 72,388 units, a 14% year-over-year increase. This growth continues the market's recovery trend observed since 2024. The cumulative sales for the first two months of 2025 totaled 140,311 units, representing a 10.9% increase compared to the same period last year[2][4%.

Key Drivers of Growth

The growth in sales can be attributed to several factors, including stable oil prices (projected to remain above $80 per barrel in 2025), increased government spending, and enhanced consumer confidence.

Market Dominance and Brand Performance

• Toyota: Led the market with a 26.2% market share, maintaining its strong position.
• Hyundai and Nissan: Followed closely, with Hyundai's Accent model showing a 36.9%

Understanding regulations and procedures for importing used cars from China into Egypt

Introduction:

This article provides a detailed guidance for Egyptians to import used cars from China into Egypt. It includes regulations of Egypt, documentations, taxes, and useful tips for importing progress, which can help Egyptian car buyers have a good preparation.

Regulations for Importing Used Vehicles:

If Egyptians want to import cars from China, there are some specific regulations about safety and environment for them to comply with.

1. Under Egyptian law, Egyptians can only import used car with its age less than 3 yearsfrom the date of manufacturing.

2. Vehicles must meet standards of Euro 4 emission, which aim to reduce harmful emission and improve air quality.

3. Previously, Egyptians importing used cars enjoyed tax exemption, and all that was required was to deposit the exempt amount in a bank. Now, they need to make direct payments