Typically you will need: 1. The commercial invoice and packing list from the seller; 2. The bill of lading issued by the shipping line; 3. The vehicle's export customs declaration; 4. The original registration certificate and a deregistration or transfer proof from China; 5. A certificate of origin if your country requires it; 6. Destination-specific documents, such as a pre-shipment inspection certificate (for example ECTN for West African ports). Requirements vary by country, so confirm the full list with your customs broker before shipment.

Ask the exporter for a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (机动车登记证书). It lists every owner change and any mortgage registration. If the car was financed, there will be a lien entry; make sure a release entry follows it. You can also verify the VIN against public records through the traffic management platform (12123) — a legitimate exporter can generate a status report on the spot. Check that the seller's company name on the invoice matches the registered owner. For extra safety, require a written statement that the vehicle is free of liens, loans, court seizures, and lease agreements, and wire payment only to the company's corporate account after ownership is transferred to the export entity. That sequence — transfer first, payment second — is your strongest protection.

No, we are not responsible. The high salt and humidity of the marine environment do have an impact on the chassis surface. We recommend buyers in tropical islands or countries that use salt for winter snow removal to perform a thorough chassis anti-rust spray locally immediately after the vehicle arrives.