The main export hubs are Shanghai, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Ningbo. Shanghai has the most RoRo and container sailings to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Southern China (Guangzhou/Shenzhen) is best for Southeast Asia and Oceania. Qingdao and Tianjin serve Korea, Japan, and northern routes efficiently. Choose based on three factors: sailing frequency to your port (weekly is ideal), total inland logistics cost from the car's location to the port, and whether your exporter has used-car export qualification at that port—some only operate from one or two ports. Also confirm the terminal handles used-car export declarations, since not every port processes them. Your exporter should recommend the optimal port-to-port combination with a written quote breakdown.

A solid contract is your main protection in a cross-border deal. It should specify: 1. Vehicle identification: VIN, year, mileage, trim level, and photos of the actual car appended as an annex — not just「a 2021 Toyota」. 2. Condition guarantees: no accident, no flood or fire damage, no structural repairs, supported by a third-party inspection report referenced in the contract. 3. Price and Incoterm: total amount, currency, the named port, and whether freight and insurance are included. 4. Payment schedule: e.g., 20–30% deposit after contract signing, balance against copy of the Bill of Lading. Avoid 100% upfront. Use T/T to the company's corporate bank account only — never a personal account. 5. Timeline: inspection date, estimated loading date, and latest shipment date, with remedies if delayed. 6. Dispute clause: governing law and arbitration (CIETAC or your local chamber) rather than foreign court litigation. Ask for the contract in English (or bilingual) with the supplier's company chop. A company that refuses a written contract or pushes for full prepayment is a red flag.

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an official document stating where the vehicle was manufactured. For imports from China, it matters more than many buyers expect. First, customs value: many countries apply duty rates based on the country of manufacture, not where you bought the car. A CO proves the vehicle is Chinese-built, which determines the correct tariff line—skipping it can mean reassessment, fines, or seizure at destination. Second, trade agreements: some countries have preferential tariffs for Chinese goods that only apply with a valid CO. Request a CO issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) or China Customs, not a self-printed form. Check that the VIN, engine number, and buyer details match your purchase documents exactly. Make receiving the CO a condition before your final payment, and keep the original—customs at destination will ask for it.