2026 China Nationwide Car Trade-In Subsidy for Foreigners: Complete Guide

Are you a foreign resident in China holding the Five-Star Card (外国人永久居留身份证)?

The 2026 national car trade-in (汽车以旧换新) subsidy program offers significant savings — up to ¥20,000 (~US$2,800) — on new energy vehicles (NEVs/EVs) or qualifying fuel cars.

This nationwide initiative, launched by the Ministry of Commerce and multiple central departments, runs throughout 2026 (or until funds are exhausted) and is implemented locally across every province and major city.

This national trade-in/scrappage program delivers percentage-based rebates tied to your new car’s price.

It strongly favors NEVs and provides a practical way for eligible foreigners to upgrade while supporting China’s green consumption goals.

Why the 2026 National Car Trade-In Program Matters

China’s 2026 policy continues and refines the popular trade-in scheme to stimulate consumption, reduce old vehicle emissions, and accelerate NEV adoption.

The central government provides unified subsidy standards, with local commerce bureaus handling implementation.

Funds come from central special treasury bonds plus local matching contributions.

For Five-Star Card holders, this is one of the most accessible national consumer incentives.

The permanent residence ID card allows you to participate as a “personal consumer” on near-equal terms with Chinese citizens in major cities.

While regular foreign passports or standard residence permits are typically not sufficient, the Five-Star Card unlocks real-name verification and subsidy disbursement in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, and many others.

Two Subsidy Tracks: Scrappage vs. Trade-In

You can choose only one track per person in 2026.

1. Scrappage Update (报废更新) – Highest Potential Reward

• Requirements: Scrap an eligible old passenger car at an authorized facility + buy a qualifying new car.
• Old car eligibility (registered in your name):
• Gasoline cars: On or before June 30, 2013
• Diesel/other fuel: On or before June 30, 2015
• NEVs: On or before December 31, 2019
• New car: NEV from the MIIT tax-exemption catalogue or ≤2.0L gasoline passenger car.
• Subsidy:
• NEV: 12% of invoice price (incl. tax), max ¥20,000
• Fuel car (≤2.0L): 10%, max ¥15,000

Example: Scrapping an old car and buying a ¥180,000+ qualifying EV can yield the full ¥20,000.

2. Trade-In / Exchange Update (置换更新) – Easier Option

• Requirements: Sell or transfer an old passenger car registered in your name + buy a new qualifying car.
• Old car: Must have been registered in your name (typically before early 2025; confirm exact cutoff on the platform).
• New car: Same as above.
• Subsidy:
• NEV: 8%, max ¥15,000
• Fuel car (≤2.0L): 6%, max ¥13,000

Note on pricing thresholds: To reach the full cap, the new car generally needs to be priced around ¥167,000+ for scrappage NEVs or similar for other tiers. Lower-priced cars still qualify for proportional amounts.

Can Foreigners Qualify? (Five-Star Card Is Key)

Yes — holders of the Five-Star Card (外国人永久居留身份证) can apply nationwide.

Major cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, and others explicitly accept it alongside mainland ID cards (and HK/Macau/Taiwan permits).

The card serves as your primary identification for verification, document uploads, and bank binding.

Regular foreign passports or non-permanent residence permits are generally not accepted for these subsidies.

The “same person” rule is strict: the applicant, old car owner (if applicable), and new car registrant must be identical.

Practical requirements:

• Chinese mainland Class I UnionPay debit card (一类户) for receiving funds.
• Mainland mobile number for app verification (often required).

Step-by-Step Application Process (Nationwide)

The process is consistent across China, though the exact digital platform varies by city:

Buy the New Car

Purchase from a participating dealer in the city/region where you plan to apply.

Get the Motor Vehicle Sales Unified Invoice and register the vehicle to obtain the Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate.

2. Handle the Old Car

• Scrappage: Visit an authorized recycling center for Scrap Vehicle Recycling Certificate and Cancellation Certificate.
• Trade-in: Sell/transfer via official channels and obtain Used Car Sales Unified Invoice.

3. Submit Application Online

• Scrappage: Use the national “汽车以旧换新” platform (via WeChat/Alipay mini-program, Cloud QuickPass, or mofcom.gov.cn portal).
• Trade-in: Most cities use 懂车帝 (Douche Di / Auto Emperor) APP — search for your city (e.g., “广州市汽车置换更新”, “深圳市汽车置换更新”, “北京市汽车以旧换新”). Some cities have dedicated local commerce portals.
• Complete real-name verification with your Five-Star Card, upload clear photos of all documents, and submit.

4. Required Documents

Must match your Five-Star Card details:

• Five-Star Card (front and back)
• Chinese Class I debit card information
• Old car documents (recycling/cancellation or used car invoice + registration certificate)
• New car: Motor Vehicle Sales Unified Invoice + Registration Certificate (pages 1–2)
• VIN numbers for both vehicles

5. Review & Payment

Local commerce bureaus review (typically 15–30 working days).

Approved funds are deposited directly into your bank account. Track status in the app.

Important: The new car invoice and registration should be in the same provincial region as your application. One claim per person nationwide.

How the Program Works in Major Cities

While standards are national, platforms and minor procedures differ:

• Guangzhou & Shenzhen: Highly foreigner-friendly with explicit Five-Star Card support. Use 懂车帝 or local portals.
• Beijing & Shanghai: Follow national rules closely; check city-specific commerce WeChat mini-programs or 懂车帝.
• Other cities (Chengdu, Hangzhou, Tianjin, etc.): Same core subsidies; search 懂车帝 for your city’s section.

Some cities add small local top-ups, but the national amounts form the foundation.

Pro Tips for Foreign Residents

• Timing: Apply early in 2026 as local quotas can deplete.
• Dealer help: Many EV showrooms (Aion, BYD, Tesla, Xiaomi, etc.) are familiar with the process and can assist.
• Document quality: Use high-resolution photos; mismatches cause rejections.
• NEV preference: Bigger subsidies + lower running costs make electric vehicles the smartest choice.
• Verify locally: Always check the latest in 懂车帝 or your city’s commerce bureau site, as minor adjustments occur.

Realistic savings examples:

• Scrappage + ¥180,000 NEV → up to ¥20,000.
• Trade-in + ¥200,000 NEV → up to ¥15,000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts: Your 2026 Opportunity

The 2026 nationwide car trade-in subsidy is a powerful incentive for foreign permanent residents with the Five-Star Card to upgrade to a new EV or efficient car while saving thousands of RMB.

With unified national standards and widespread digital platforms, the process is accessible across China.

Start by downloading 懂车帝 and Cloud QuickPass, verifying your old car’s eligibility, and visiting a local dealership with your Five-Star Card. Policies can see minor local tweaks, so always confirm the latest details on official platforms or city commerce bureaus.

Ready to claim your subsidy? Drop your city or vehicle details in the comments for more tailored advice.

Share this guide with fellow expats — and enjoy the savings on your next drive! 🚗⚡