Act fast and follow the paper trail you built before buying. First, document everything immediately: take photos and videos of the fault, note the date of arrival and the odometer reading. Most exporters offer a commercial warranty window (typically 15-30 days after arrival) for major components like the engine, transmission and high-voltage battery. Contact the exporter in writing with the evidence, referencing your contract's warranty clause. For minor issues, a common arrangement is that they air-freight the spare part to you or reimburse a capped repair amount at a local workshop. To protect yourself before purchase: get the warranty terms written into the sales contract, including response time, what is covered, and how parts compensation is calculated. Also ask which fast-wearing parts (brake pads, filters, wipers) they recommend buying together with the car, so you are not stuck waiting for a small part from overseas.

The standard set: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, export customs declaration, certificate of origin, and a copy of the vehicle title/registration. How to verify: the bill of lading number should be trackable on the shipping line's website; the certificate of origin is verifiable through CCPIT's online system; and the VIN must match across all documents, the inspection report, and the car itself. Ask for scans of everything before paying the balance, and have a freight forwarder review the set. Mismatched VINs, missing title copies, or vague promises that "documents will follow" are red flags worth pausing the deal over.

The 12V battery is small but critical: when it dies, the car cannot start, unlock, or charge. Used EVs often have weak 12V batteries because they sit on lots for months. Before shipping, ask the exporter to: 1. Measure the battery voltage after the car has rested overnight. It should read around 12.4-12.8V; anything under 12.2V means the battery is degraded. 2. Start the car and check that the charging system holds 13.8-14.4V, confirming the DC-DC converter works. 3. Scan for stored fault codes related to low voltage, which indicate the battery has been deeply discharged repeatedly. During ocean freight, the battery slowly self-discharges. Ask that it be disconnected or kept on a maintainer before loading, and budget for a replacement after arrival if the battery is over 3 years old. A new 12V battery costs little compared to being stranded at the port.