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Buying Electric Cars Through AliExpress Online Platform Can Be Simple, As Long As Consumers Have Patience and Understand the Risks
Taking advantage of the new trend of electric cars, the e-commerce platform AliExpress, a service belonging to Alibaba – known for its high sales volume that surpasses Amazon and eBay – now offers a selection of electric cars on its online platform, from various manufacturers and price points. Canaltech interviewed AliExpress sellers who are assuring their Brazilian customers that they will send vehicles by means of a single shipping payment; however, the cost of this shipping will be quite heavy for those purchasing one of the electric cars available on the platform.
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Facilities for Purchasing Electric Cars Through AliExpress
Some consumers are questioning whether it is really possible to order an electric car directly from China. Brazilian consumers’ concerns stem from the distrust of being able to buy an electric car in just a few clicks on the AliExpress online platform, just as we purchase accessories, smartphones, headphones, and other items from the app.
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Suzuki sells an “economical family minivan” with 7 seats cheaper than Chevrolet Spin, Citroën Aircross, and Caoa Chery Tiggo 8 in Brazil; for about R$ 47,000 in conversion without taxes, the Ertiga has a 1.5 engine, manual or automatic transmission, CNG option, a trunk of up to 803 liters, and a family package that Brazil doesn’t have, but India does.
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Mitsubishi sells a “minivan with the soul of an SUV” with 7 seats cheaper than Chevrolet Spin, Citroën Aircross, and Caoa Chery Tiggo 8 in Brazil; for about R$ 76,000 in conversion without taxes, the Xpander has a 1.5 engine, manual or CVT transmission, 220 mm ground clearance, and a robust family package that Brazilians don’t have, but Indonesia does.
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Japan and Mercosur may reach an agreement to lower the cost of cars and auto parts, with manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan coming into focus.
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Volkswagen is preparing an SUV derived from the new Amarok to compete with the Toyota SW4 and Haval H9, utilize the Argentine Pacheco factory, and transform a pickup into a more profitable family of products.
According to Jorge Luiz da Costa, Tax Auditor and Chief Inspector of the division in Natal (RN) in an interview with Canaltech, it is feasible to import a car, regardless of its model or price, from anywhere in the world; however, there are several requirements that cannot be bypassed and must be strictly followed according to import laws.
These requirements must be adhered to by both the buyer and the seller. So, even if there is this ease at the moment of purchasing your electric car through the AliExpress app, in just a few clicks, it does not mean that within a few months the electric car will be at your doorstep.
Jorge Luiz reaffirms that both the seller and the buyer must strictly follow the required protocols, and he also discusses the logistics and responsibility for the customs clearance of the imported letter, which is solely the responsibility of the courier company.
You can check the electric model costing R$ 30,000 available on the marketplace by clicking here. There is also a more basic model for R$ 24,520.
Electric Car Advertiser on the Platform Speaks Out
The reporting team from Canaltech reached out to one of the advertisers on AliExpress to learn their side of the story.
“Dear Sir, we can deliver the car by ship to the port you want. However, this store is only suitable for professional automobile resellers and individuals who have import qualifications, meaning they pay import taxes themselves. It is a B2B (business to business) deal.”
Fixed Shipping? Discover the Truth Behind It
Once customs clearance of the goods is completed, heading to Brazilian territory or any other country, the collection of the item occurs at the sender’s door, the shipping cost, the insurance of the item, as well as all other procedures performed via the RFB and other regulatory agencies, the request for domestic transport to the recipient’s address and the signature of delivery confirmation are the responsibility of the courier company.
However, this does not absolve the importers and exporters of their other responsibilities, who must fulfill their obligations under customs legislation.
Values of Vehicles and Shipping
Even with the variety of electric models advertised on the AliExpress app, with prices ranging from R$ 25,000 to R$ 500,000, all consumers were counting on a single shipping cost below R$ 9,000.
Unfortunately, for the customer’s misfortune, there are additional fees that must be paid during customs clearance, that is, fees that must be paid to the Federal Revenue Service.
These fees include calculations for items such as: import tax, PIS, COFINS, ICMS, and IPI. Additionally, there are also fees to be paid to the Detran, such as registration, IPVA, and licensing.
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