Importing vehicles from China is a repeatable process, but the details differ from importing consumer goods. Vehicles are high-value, regulated, and usually require both a shipping method and a compliance file. This guide walks through the sequence we use with first-time importers, from the first quotation to the vehicle clearing customs at your port.
1. Define the specification before you ask for a price
A quotation is only meaningful once these are fixed:
- Destination country and port — freight, duties and homologation all depend on it.
- Steering side — left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD).
- Powertrain — petrol, diesel, hybrid or battery-electric.
- Emission standard — Euro III through Euro VI, or the local equivalent.
- Volume — a single sample unit, a container load, or a rolling programme.
Sellers who quote before knowing these will either over-price to protect themselves or under-price and adjust later. Expect a serious supplier to ask all five questions before sending a price.
2. Understand what the price does and does not include
Export prices are usually quoted on one of three terms:
| Term | Supplier pays | Buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| FOB (Free On Board) | Vehicle to the named Chinese port, export clearance | Ocean freight, insurance, import clearance |
| CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) | The above plus freight and marine insurance to your port | Import duties, taxes, local delivery |
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | Everything to your address | Nothing beyond the agreed price |
Most first-time buyers are quoted FOB without realising it, then are surprised by the freight invoice. Ask explicitly which term the price uses, and request a CIF number as well so you can compare landed cost.
Rule of thumb: for a 20-foot container to West Africa or South America, ocean freight can equal 10–25% of the vehicle value. Always compare landed cost, not FOB.
3. Verify the supplier, not just the product
Before transferring a deposit:
- Ask for the business licence and confirm the registered company name matches the bank account name.
- Prefer payment to the company account, never to a personal account.
- Request a video call walking through the yard or factory.
- Ask for two or three references in your region, and actually call them.
- For larger orders, arrange a third-party inspection (SGS, BV or Intertek) before shipment.
A supplier who resists any of these is a risk signal, regardless of how good the price looks.
4. Documents you should receive
A complete export file typically contains:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of Lading (B/L) — original or telex release, depending on the agreement
- Certificate of Origin (usually Form E or a general CO)
- Vehicle documents — chassis number, engine number, manufacture date
- Export licence for vehicles where required
- UN38.3 test summary and MSDS for battery-electric vehicles
- Insurance certificate if shipping on CIF terms
Check that the VIN, model and quantity on the invoice match the B/L and the physical units. Mismatches at this stage are much cheaper to fix than at the destination port.
5. Shipping: container or RoRo?
Two methods dominate:
- Container (20’ or 40’ HQ) — vehicles are driven or forklifted inside and secured. A 40’ HQ fits two to four cars depending on size. Good for mixed loads, high-value units and destinations without RoRo service.
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) — vehicles are driven onto a dedicated vessel. Usually cheaper per unit for standard cars and trucks, but you need a port with RoRo service and the schedule is less flexible.
Electric vehicles are a special case: carriers treat them as Class 9 dangerous goods, so some RoRo operators refuse them or charge a surcharge. Container shipping with the battery disconnected and documentation prepared is often the more reliable route.
6. Budget for the costs outside the invoice
First-time importers commonly forget:
- Import duty and VAT at the destination (varies from 0% to over 50%)
- Homologation or type approval costs if you plan to register the vehicles
- Port charges, demurrage and storage if clearance is delayed
- Inland transport from port to your yard
- Pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and any reconditioning
- Currency movement between quotation and payment
A realistic landed-cost model adds 10–35% to the FOB price depending on the market. Build that into your retail or resale calculation before you commit.
7. Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying a 100% deposit upfront. Standard terms are 30% deposit, 70% before shipment — or a letter of credit for large orders.
- Skipping the pre-shipment inspection to save a few hundred dollars.
- Accepting a B/L with the wrong consignee name. Corrections after departure are slow and expensive.
- Ordering a specification that cannot be registered in the destination market.
- Ignoring the spare parts plan. A fleet without a parts supply agreement loses money every time a vehicle is off the road.
Next step
If you are planning a first order, send us the destination country, intended use and target volume. We will come back with a landed-cost estimate, the recommended shipping method and a documentation checklist for your market.