Parts availability depends on the brand's official presence in your market, but even unsupported brands can be maintained through direct ordering. Check three channels first: the brand's official dealer network (if any), third-party importers who specialize in Chinese auto parts, and generic equivalents. For wear items like brake pads, filters, and wipers, aftermarket suppliers usually stock cross-references by VIN. For model-specific parts — headlights, sensors, control modules — order directly from China. Ask your exporter for the parts catalog by VIN, confirm OEM part numbers, and compare prices. A turbocharger that costs $900 from a local dealer often ships from China for $350 plus $80 freight. Practical tips: bundle multiple parts into one shipment to amortize freight; ask for DDP (delivered duty paid) pricing so customs clearance is handled; and always verify part numbers against your VIN before paying, as Chinese models have running changes mid-year. Keep a small stock of common wear parts — oil filters, air filters, spark plugs — to avoid a 4-6 week wait for routine maintenance.

The headliner is considered an "irreversible interior component." If the edges are delaminated or there are deep, hard-to-clean dark water stains, it will directly lead to a downgrade in the interior grade, even if it does not affect driving. We will not use pins or low-quality glue for cosmetic repairs.

Once the car is loaded, the exporter (or freight forwarder) should send you a booking confirmation and, after departure, the Bill of Lading (B/L). The B/L is the key document: it shows the shipper, consignee, vessel, ports, and usually the VIN and container number. You can track the vessel on the shipping line's website using the B/L number or container number, or through third-party trackers like MarineTraffic. As the shipment approaches, the agent at destination issues an Arrival Notice. To collect the car you will typically need the original B/L (or a telex release/e-release), the arrival notice, your ID, and customs clearance paperwork. Check the B/L carefully as soon as you receive it—VIN, container number, and your name must be exactly right, because correcting a B/L mid-voyage is slow and expensive.