Apply for a certificate of origin from the local customs or trade promotion agency, proving that the country of manufacture is China. This is a necessary document for customs clearance in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Odometer tampering is a common risk in the global used car industry. We verify the data by extracting transmission mileage from the OBD computer, checking the most recent maintenance record's mileage, and consulting the national traffic management app for annual inspection records. If there are irreconcilable discrepancies or conflicts in the data, we classify it as a tampered vehicle and refuse to export it.

China has centralized vehicle records you can check remotely before paying anything. Ask the exporter for the 17-digit VIN, then request two reports. First, the maintenance history: third-party platforms pull 4S dealership records showing service dates, mileage and repair items. A mileage line that goes down over time is a red flag for odometer tampering. Second, the insurance claim history: it lists accident dates, claim amounts and repaired parts. Heavy claims involving frame rails or airbags should end the deal. Practical tips: run the reports yourself instead of accepting screenshots from the seller, make sure the report date is close to the delivery date, and cross-check with physical wear such as the steering wheel, pedals and seat bolsters, which cannot lie about high mileage. Keep in mind that small private repairs never enter these databases, so combine history checks with a physical inspection before shipping.