Market guide · Paraguay

Import Chinese Cars to Paraguay

Paraguay is landlocked but connected to the Atlantic by the Paraguay–Paraná waterway. Cargo from overseas is usually transshipped at a River Plate port and carried upriver to terminals near Asunción. Paraguay also has one of the broadest tax exemptions for electric and hybrid vehicles in the region, and it is currently under review.

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At a glance

  • Route

    Ocean vessel to Buenos Aires or Montevideo, then river feeder to terminals such as Villeta[4][5]

  • Steering

    Steering must be on, or relocated to, the left to circulate in Paraguay[1]

  • Used vehicles

    Law 4333/2011: used vehicles more than 10 years old are prohibited[1]

  • EVs and hybrids

    Law 6925/2022: import-duty and VAT exemption for new electric and hybrid vehicles[2]

Ports of entry and shipping from China

Paraguay moved about 180,000 TEU of imports and exports by river in 2024, and around 80% of its transit cargo that used to be transshipped in Montevideo is now handled in Buenos Aires, according to Paraguay’s maritime agents’ association[4]. River terminals in Villeta, south of Asunción, receive this cargo; in 2025, for example, Puerto Seguro Fluvial discharged electric buses that arrived via the waterway[5].

For cars from China, the practical options are containers transshipped onto river barges, or RoRo to a River Plate port with onward river or road transport. Navigation conditions on the waterway, for example at Paso Bermejo, can delay arrivals[5], so we confirm the route and the estimated timeline when we quote.

Chinese-market vehicles are left-hand drive and electric models use the GB/T charging standard; check charging equipment and adapters for your market.

Import rules to check

  • Steering: Paraguayan law does not discriminate by the original steering side, but to circulate in Paraguay the steering must be on, or relocated to, the left[1]. Chinese-market vehicles are already left-hand drive.
  • Used vehicles: Law 4333/2011 prohibits importing used vehicles more than ten years old, counted from the year of manufacture[1]; court rulings have granted exceptions in individual cases[1]. New vehicles are not affected.
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles: Law 6925 of 2022 exempts the import and sale of new electric vehicles, including hybrids that use an electric motor as one of their power sources, from import duty and VAT for ten years. It also exempts them from the vehicle registration tax (patente), from 100% in the first year down to 20% in the fifth[2].
  • Proposed change: on 25 September 2026 the tax authority (DNIT) said the executive will send Congress a bill that replaces the full exemption with reduced rates, starting at an effective 5% VAT and a 10% tariff and reaching 10% VAT and a 20% tariff by 2032[3]. If you are pricing EVs or hybrids for Paraguay, check the status of the bill with your despachante.

Rules and tax rates change. Buyers should confirm the current rules with their customs broker before ordering. Import clearance, duties and registration are handled by the buyer or the buyer’s broker.

Inventory

Vehicles to consider for Paraguay

Law 6925 covers both electric and hybrid vehicles. These range-extended, electric and hybrid models are from our current inventory.

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Prices are USD reference prices from our database, subject to real-time availability and final confirmation in your written quotation.

How ordering works

Planning an order for Paraguay? Send the models, quantity and your preferred routing (via Buenos Aires or Montevideo). We reply with a written FOB or CIF quote.

Payment: T/T bank transfer, 20% deposit and the 80% balance when the vehicles arrive at the Chinese port, before export shipment. Minimum order: one shipping container per order.

Prices, Incoterm and shipping option are confirmed in writing before you pay anything. How to Buy · FAQ

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Sources

Public sources checked on 28 September 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice.

  1. Ley 4333/2011 on used-vehicle imports (BACN); CADAM on court exceptions · CADAM
  2. Ley 6925/2022 on incentives for electric transport (BACN)
  3. ABC Color (25 Sept. 2026): DNIT bill on EV taxes
  4. Paraguay Fluvial (March 2025): transit cargo moves from Montevideo to Buenos Aires
  5. Paraguay Fluvial (March 2025): vehicles discharged at Puerto Seguro Fluvial, Villeta

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