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.

Beyond the FOB price, expect: ocean freight (typically $800–2,500 depending on destination), marine insurance (about 0.3–0.5% of the car's value), port handling charges at both ends, customs duty and import tax/VAT in your country, compliance or homologation certification, and inland delivery to your city. Add currency transfer fees and the inspection fee if you hire a third party. Ask the exporter for a landed-cost breakdown and confirm exactly what the quote includes. A cheap FOB price with everything else shifted to you can add 30–50% to the real total. Budget a 15% buffer on top of the estimate, and get fixed quotes for freight and insurance in writing before paying the balance.

Under normal circumstances, it takes 15 to 25 working days. This includes: domestic transfer of ownership (3-5 days), applying for an export license (3-5 days), inland trucking to the port (2-5 days), customs inspection and waiting for loading schedule (5-10 days). Do not trust false promises from other channels claiming 'loading within a week.'