A typical payment structure looks like this: 1. Deposit: 10-30% after you confirm the car and price, often to reserve the vehicle and start the inspection. 2. Balance: paid after you approve the inspection report, but before or at shipment. A common safeguard is paying against a copy of the bill of lading, with telex release of the original B/L after funds arrive. 3. Never send 100% upfront to a new supplier. Use traceable methods (T/T bank transfer to a corporate account matching the company name, or escrow for first orders) and keep every agreement in writing. 4. Timeline: quote within days, inspection 3-7 days, booking and loading 1-2 weeks, ocean transit 3-6 weeks, customs clearance 3-10 days. Red flags: personal bank accounts, pressure to skip inspection, prices far below market.

The customs of the destination country has the right to disregard the commercial invoice and reassess the value based on its internal database (such as the customs valuation red book). Any additional duties incurred are a result of the importing country's policy and are fully borne by the buyer (importer).

It is extremely dangerous and usually not allowed. This can easily trigger the anti-money laundering (AML) controls of China's foreign exchange administration. The remittance account title must closely match the contract buyer and the bill of lading consignee. If payment on behalf is necessary, a legally binding "Tripartite Payment Agreement" must be provided in advance and undergo compliance review by our finance department.