Tank import

For years, anyone in Europe who wanted a proper off roader had a short list: G Class, Defender, Land Cruiser. Tank, the off road brand of Great Wall Motor, wants to change that. Ladder frame, low range gearbox, three locking differentials and a cabin that rivals a luxury SUV, at a price well below the established names. GWM is now rolling Tank out across Europe, starting with the Tank 300 in Spain and Italy. But the launch is gradual, many countries are still waiting, and the flagship Tank 700 has not been announced for Europe at all. If you want one now, or want a model that is not on sale in your country, Tank import is the answer. SCL Rotterdam brings your Tank to your door, from inside or outside Europe. Before you commit, we tell you honestly what it costs and which route makes most sense.

Why import a Tank?

Tank does not build SUVs dressed up as off roaders. These are genuine 4x4s with hardware you normally only find on much more expensive brands: a low range gearbox, locking differentials front and rear, and cameras that show what is happening under the car. Tank Turn lets the car pivot almost on the spot on a narrow trail. Inside you will find leather, large screens and massage seats.

Then there is the price. In the United Arab Emirates, a Tank 700 costs roughly half as much as a comparable G Class. Even after shipping and taxes, that gap stays attractive for many buyers. And you will be driving something very few people in Europe own.

Popular Tank models to import

Tank 300

The entry model and the best known Tank. Boxy, compact and surprisingly capable off road. In Europe it comes with a diesel or a plug in hybrid of more than 400 horsepower. In China and the Middle East, petrol versions are available too.

Tank 400

A little larger than the 300, with hybrid power. The middle of the range for anyone who needs more space.

Tank 500

A large seven seater with a V6 hybrid, built as an alternative to the Land Cruiser. Spacious, luxurious and strong enough for a horse trailer or boat.

Tank 700

The flagship. Almost five metres long, a V6 with hybrid assistance and a cabin that feels like a lounge. In the Emirates it is openly compared to the G Class. It has not been announced for Europe, so importing is the only way.

Two routes: inside or outside Europe

From another EU country

The Tank 300 is already sold officially in countries such as Spain and Italy. A car with European type approval needs no customs clearance and no conversion. It can be registered in any EU country with relatively little paperwork. We collect the car and deliver it by road. For the 300, this is usually the quickest route.

From Dubai

Looking for a Tank 500 or 700, or a version that is not sold in Europe? Then the car usually comes from the Emirates, where Tank is sold officially. It is shipped to Rotterdam, cleared through customs and prepared in our workshop before registration.

What to know before you import a Tank

Duties and VAT

A Tank is not a fully electric car, so the extra EU countervailing duty on Chinese EVs does not apply. A car from outside the EU pays the standard 10 percent import duty plus import VAT.

Registration and taxes differ per country

Once cleared through customs in Rotterdam, the car can move freely within the EU. Registration and road tax are national matters, though. A heavy V6 off roader can be expensive to register in countries that tax CO2 heavily, such as the Netherlands with its BPM, while other countries are far more lenient. SCL arranges Dutch and German registration in house and can advise on other European countries.

Service and parts

A car bought in the EU comes with a European warranty and a growing dealer network. With a car from the Emirates, servicing and parts work differently. On the plus side, the software and navigation there are in English, which makes daily use much easier than with a Chinese market version.

How your Tank import works

1. Advice first. We discuss the model, the best route, your destination country and a realistic cost estimate.
2. Purchase and inspection. We help you find a reliable car and have it inspected before you pay. Our payment service keeps the transaction safe.
3. Transport. By road from within Europe, or by container or RoRo ship to Rotterdam from further afield. We strongly recommend transport insurance.
4. Customs clearance. For cars from outside the EU, we file the declaration and settle all duties and taxes correctly.
5. Conversion and inspection. Where needed, our workshop prepares the car for European rules, ready for the inspection in your country.
6. Registration and delivery. We arrange registration where possible and deliver your Tank by road to your door, wherever you are in Europe.

You can follow every step in real time through our customer portal.

What does it cost to import a Tank?

For a Tank from within the EU, you pay the purchase price, transport and registration. For a Tank from outside the EU, import duty, import VAT, conversion and inspection are added. In the Emirates, the Tank 300 starts at around 110,000 dirham and the Tank 700 at around 230,000 dirham. Registration taxes vary widely across Europe and can make a big difference with a heavy V6. Want to know where you will end up? Calculate your costs or ask us for a tailored quote.

Why SCL Rotterdam?

For more than 15 years we have been bringing vehicles into Europe, from neighbouring countries and from all over the world. Off roaders like the RAM, Jeep and Land Cruiser are part of our daily work, and Dubai and China are regular routes. Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and a natural gateway to the rest of the continent. Customs, storage, workshop and registration are all under one roof, so you deal with one contact person from start to finish. Our customers rate us 9.2 out of 10 on average. And if an import does not make sense, we will tell you straight.

Bring your Tank to Europe

Ready to take a Tank 700 into the mountains? Call us on +31 10 427 77 20 or request a free quote. Within 24 hours you will know which route works best and whether a Tank import is the right move for you.