How to Import New Cars from China

Scope: a buyer-side workflow for dealer and fleet orders. It is not destination-country legal advice and it does not prove that a particular trim is available, homologated or admissible.

1. Start with the destination, not the vehicle photo

Before comparing quotations, ask the destination customs authority or a licensed local broker whether the intended vehicle may be imported and registered. Confirm age or model-year limits, left- or right-hand-drive rules, emissions and safety standards, conformity inspection, EV battery requirements, taxes and importer licensing. Requirements are jurisdiction-specific and can change; a China-market model page is not approval for another country.

The destination check should produce a written requirement sheet: vehicle category, accepted powertrain, required certificates, port, consignee/importer details and any pre-shipment inspection. That sheet becomes the procurement gate.

2. Freeze the exact configuration

Record the brand, model, model year and exact manufacturer configuration in both English and the official Chinese trim name. Compare the powertrain, drive layout, dimensions, wheelbase, seats and key equipment against a cited manufacturer configuration table. A shared model name does not mean every trim has the same motor, battery, driver-assistance hardware or wheels.

• Browse the Changan programme.
• Review a concrete example: Changan CS75 PLUS.
• Use Vehicle Sourcing to define the procurement brief.

3. Make the quotation auditable

Ask for the vehicle price, quantity, currency, validity period, included configuration, China-side handling, port charges, freight and insurance as separate lines. Name the exact Incoterms® rule, named port or place and version—for example, “FOB [named port] Incoterms® 2020”—rather than writing only FOB or CIF. ICC explains that the chosen rule and named place should be stated clearly in the contract.

Do not treat CIF as an all-inclusive landed price. Import duty, VAT or sales tax, destination handling, broker fees, testing, registration and inland delivery normally remain separate unless the contract says otherwise.

4. Confirm the seller and export route

Match the contracting party, beneficiary bank account and invoice issuer. Confirm who is responsible for China export licensing and declaration. China’s Ministry of Commerce states that pure-electric passenger vehicles have been subject to export-licence administration since 1 January 2026, and its 2026 notice describes the current application route for eligible enterprises. The licence obligation depends on the goods and exporter; buyers should ask how it is satisfied for the live shipment.

5. Agree the document set before payment

China Customs’ declaration guide lists commercial documents such as the contract, invoice, transport document and packing list, together with required licences and accompanying documents. For vehicles, the exact package also depends on powertrain, route and destination. Build a document matrix showing who issues each document, when a draft is approved and when the original or electronic record is released.

Typical working records can include the signed sales contract, commercial invoice, vehicle or packing details, export-declaration information, transport document, insurance evidence when contracted, and vehicle-specific manufacturer or conformity records actually available. Never promise a certificate until the issuer and destination authority have confirmed it.

6. Verify before loading

For a new vehicle, verification should still tie the physical unit to the order: VIN, model and configuration, visible condition, odometer delivery mileage, accessories, charging cable where applicable and export marks. Keep dated photos and document references. Then reconfirm carrier acceptance—especially for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles—before dispatch to port.

See the Export Process and Shipping pages for the operational sequence.

Official references checked

• MOFCOM: 2026 automobile and motorcycle export licensing notice
• General Administration of Customs: declaration service guide
• ICC: how to reference Incoterms® 2020 in a contract

Frequently asked questions

Can a supplier confirm destination registration?

A supplier can provide vehicle data and available documents, but the importer should obtain an admissibility decision from the destination authority or licensed broker.

Should I request FOB or CIF?

Choose after confirming the transport mode, risk transfer, named port or place and insurance need. Put the full rule and location in the contract.

What should an RFQ include?

Condition, brand, model, model year, exact trim, powertrain, quantity, destination country, destination port, trade term and any compliance or equipment requirements.

Send a model-specific RFQ