Vehicle inspection report and car keys on a dealership desk

Buyer resources

Buying Guide

6 easy steps from picking to receiving

Estimated total timeChoosing a car 1-3 days+Inspection 2-3 days+Shipping 15-35 days

Quick answers: importing from China

How do I import a used car from China?

Importing a used car from China takes six steps: choose a licensed exporter, select an inspected vehicle, sign a proforma invoice and pay a deposit (T/T or L/C), obtain the used-car export licence and CCIC pre-shipment inspection, ship by RoRo or container, then clear customs with the commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin. CarSourceHub handles export licence, inspection and shipping end-to-end.

Is it safe to buy a used car from China for export?

Yes, if the vehicle ships with a verified inspection report. Every CarSourceHub listing includes a 100-point inspection covering accident, flood and fire history, mileage verification, and battery state-of-health for EVs — each with a VIN and report number you can verify independently. Payments are protected via staged T/T or letter of credit.

Last updated: 2026-08-26

Process

6-Step Buying Process

Process

The 6 steps in detail

Inspected Chinese used cars ready for export

STEP 1Day 1 – Day 3

Browse Inventory

Open the /cars listing and narrow the stock with the filters that matter for export: brand and model, budget in FOB USD, mileage, emission standard, energy type (petrol, hybrid or EV) and left- or right-hand drive. Every card shows the FOB price in USD with a CNY reference, the year, the recorded mileage and the destination ports we regularly ship to. Shortlist three to five candidates so you have alternatives if one unit sells first — stock moves fast. Most buyers finish this stage in one to three days.

Export consultant reviewing a vehicle quotation

STEP 2Same day – 24 hours

WhatsApp Consultation

Send your shortlist to our export team on WhatsApp or through the inquiry form. Tell us your destination port and country so we can confirm import eligibility: vehicle age limits, emission rules, steering-side restrictions and any pre-shipment certificate your customs authority requires, such as SASO/SABER for Saudi Arabia or GCC conformity for the Gulf. You receive a written quotation covering FOB and CIF price, freight method, estimated transit time and the full document pack. Replies normally arrive within a few working hours, at most 24 hours.

Technician inspecting a used car before export

STEP 32 – 3 days

Inspection & Video Check

Before you commit any money we inspect the exact unit you chose. You receive a detailed condition report with the VIN, odometer photo, paint and panel readings, tyre condition, service history and, for electric vehicles, the measured battery state of health. We then run a live walk-around video call, or record a full video, so you can see the engine bay, the underbody, the interior and a cold start with your own eyes. Ask for close-ups of anything you doubt. This stage takes two to three days depending on the inspection queue.

Signing a proforma invoice and export sales contract

STEP 41 day

Sign Contract

Once the condition report is approved we issue a Proforma Invoice and a sales contract listing the VIN, agreed price and Incoterm (FOB or CIF), payment milestones, loading port, destination port, packing method and delivery window. The contract also names the documents shipped with the car: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin and the Chinese used-car export licence. Read it carefully, ask for edits where needed, then sign and return a scanned copy. Signature and countersignature are usually completed within one working day.

Secure international bank transfer for a vehicle purchase

STEP 51 – 2 days per milestone

Secure Payment

Payment follows the milestones in the contract: a booking deposit to reserve the unit, a down payment once export paperwork starts, and the balance before the Bill of Lading is released. Pay by T/T bank transfer or Letter of Credit to the company account printed on the invoice — we never ask for transfers to a personal account. Smaller amounts can go through PayPal, Stripe or Western Union. Each payment is receipted in your order centre where you can follow the status. Bank clearance normally takes one to two working days per milestone.

Vehicles loading at a Chinese export port

STEP 615 – 35 days transit

Shipping & Tracking

After final payment the car passes CCIC pre-shipment inspection, is booked onto a RoRo vessel, a container or a Central Asia rail/land route, and loaded at the port. You receive the Bill of Lading number and can track the vessel to your destination port. Sea transit runs about 15 to 35 days depending on the lane — roughly 18-25 days to Jebel Ali, 25-35 days to Mombasa, and 7-15 days overland to Kazakhstan. We courier the original documents so your broker can clear customs the moment the ship berths.

Logistics

Shipping Comparison

Method	Batch size	ETA	Pricing
RoRo shipping (50+ units)	50+ units	15-30 days	By weight
Container (1-10 units)	1-10 units	20-35 days	Fixed
Land freight (RU/KZ)	1-5 units	7-15 days	By model

Payment

Payment Methods

PayPal

Stripe

T/T

Western Union

⚠ Deposits online only; balance paid offline under contract.

FAQ

Typically 15-45 days depending on shipping and destination port.

Policy

Import Policies by Country

Russia, Kazakhstan, UAE, Kenya and other destinations enforce age, emission and LHD/RHD rules — always check official regulations.

Disclaimer: This page is for reference only. Actual policies are governed by local customs. CarSourceHub is not liable for policy changes.

FAQ

Process FAQ

How long does the whole buying process take?

Choosing a car takes one to three days, inspection and the video check two to three days, and contract plus payment clearance another two to three days — about seven days in total before loading. Ocean or land transport then adds roughly 15 to 35 days depending on your destination port.

Can I inspect the car before I pay?

Yes. Every unit is inspected before any payment is due. You receive a written condition report with VIN, odometer photo, paint readings and, for EVs, battery state of health, plus a live or recorded walk-around video. You only sign the contract after you are satisfied with what you see.

What documents come with the car?

Each shipment includes the commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, the Chinese used-car export licence and the CCIC pre-shipment inspection certificate. Market-specific certificates such as SASO/SABER or GCC conformity are arranged on request before loading.