Ford F150 Raptor turns up in China via the gray market!
The Chinese gray car market is a large and beautiful one, you often see some very random cars cruising the streets of China and do wonder how on earth they arrived in the Middle Kingdom. Last week I found myself staring at a mark 4 VW Golf Wagon in Beijing obviously an import from somewhere, despite its age it still looked rather exotic thanks to its tasteful 19inch wheels and wagon styling, a true rarity in China. Recently, the number of full and mid size American pick up trucks on Chinese roads has increased a great deal with urban cowboys ready to spend upto three times the original US price ticket for a large, unusual truck.
This Ford F150 Raptor starts at around $38,000USD in the USA, this Chinese model was selling for a shade under 1.5million RMB according to the salesman preseant when tax, insurance, and plate fees were accounted for, that’s $219,751USD or a massive mark up. Of course the seller would be responsible for import taxes which would are likely to be in the 100% zone (unless they have imported it as a light truck?) but there is a huge difference between $38,000 and $219,000USD.
You might be wondering why would Chinese want to buy a Raptor? Well there is a very large and very active 4×4 club in China that hold local and national events on a weekly basis, plus there are a series of offroad race events all over China every summer and winter, but only a very comitted member of this scene would be ready to spend 1.5 million RMB on a truck, even if its V8 and sounds like the Devil is coming to town.
The seller had these on show at the rear of the Beijing Auto Show, he also had a Chevrolet Avalance which in the USA has an affordable sticker price of $35,000USD and rising, whilst the Chinese price was set at 690,000rmb ($101,000USD!).
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Ok I know the import taxes are high, but can someone explain to me why in the hell you’d pay almost 6 times the original price, when you could import it yourself? Sure importing is a pain in the ass, but surely it can’t be as bad as paying such a disgusting markup.
Happen to spot any Challengers up there? I’d love to have one of those over here.
A sweet V8 with a nice set of pipes is a mystical sound that was sent from above and should never die even with the tree huggers pushing through their EV agenda which could actually be more damaging to the environment than a few gas guzzlers….
Price on the Raptor a bit excessive though. I guess the seller is trying to re-coup some of the fees for being at the BJ show and the dinners he needs to take the local officials on to help get the plates….
No need for help getting plates…probably a princeling that’ll soon be sporting white WJ or milplates…
There is a sweet sweet Escalade V8 truck somewhere in Qingdao that sounds fantastic on the ear. Quite a few AMG Merc’s going around with their fancy V8/V12 boxes chortling away.
One day I will own a V8 AMG. I will sell CCT for one.
Import taxes would be 125% since engine is over 4L. 95% for >3L <4L.
Foreigners (long term employed/residents) can import a single vehicle for their personal use, some people make business off of paying foreigners for their 'right' to import a vehicle, covering the taxes/shipping/etc then resell the imported product when it's here.
I'm going thru the steps to import my own Z4 right now, even with 95% tax it's way better than buying local.
Would be interested in hearing about how that goes, Rick.
My understanding is it’s not just the import taxes that are a pain, but also the related rules and “paperwork”.
That said, if it’s “just” a matter of paying the taxes, then I’ll be booking a trip to the US to do a little “shopping”.
I have refrained from commenting yet, but good luck on this Rick, Ill be watching with intent to goto the USA for a properly priced F150 Raptor.
Hello. I can help you purchase these vehicles as I am located in the USA and have clients worldwide. Email me at your convenience.
keith@blackbirdleasing dot com
Hello,
we are global exporters of any vehicles. If you need our servises, please email us.
cars@atlanticauto.ca