Two main shipping methods are used for used cars from China: 1) Container shipping: the car is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container. Safer, protects from weather and damage, and allows personal items inside the car. Slightly more expensive. 2) RoRo (roll-on/roll-off): the car is driven onto the ship. Cheaper for single units, but no protection and no personal belongings allowed. Typical transit times from major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao): - Middle East: 12-20 days - Europe: 25-40 days - East/West Africa: 30-45 days - South America: 35-50 days - Southeast Asia: 5-12 days Add 5-10 days on each side for port handling, customs, and inland delivery. Peak season (before Chinese New Year and summer) can add delays, so book space 2-3 weeks ahead.

The nameplate date is the absolute time when the vehicle leaves the factory; the registration date is when the vehicle is registered with the traffic management department after sale. The difference represents the time the vehicle spent in the dealer's warehouse or logistics. If the time difference exceeds 6-8 months, the vehicle is considered a "stock vehicle," and we pay special attention to the natural aging of its rubber components.

We maintain an absolute skeptical attitude. In addition to regular visual inspections, we focus on checking for sediment accumulation around the sunroof drainage channels and look for water stains under the A-pillar trim and front floor mats. This is the only effective physical evidence to determine if the sunroof drainage holes are blocked, leading to hidden leaks.