It completely falls under force majeure. After the delivery is completed (crossing the ship's rail) under FOB or CIF terms, the seller (us) bears no liability for refunds or compensation due to political risks or legal changes in the destination country that hinder customs clearance or lead to confiscation.

A typical transaction has six steps. 1. Selection: you confirm the vehicle through photos, a video walkaround, an inspection report and the VIN. 2. Deposit: most exporters ask 20%-30% to reserve the car. Pay by bank transfer to the company's corporate account, never a personal one. 3. Inspection: an independent pre-shipment inspection verifies the condition; you receive the report before paying the balance. 4. Balance payment: usually due before loading. Request the booking confirmation and container number. 5. Shipping: the exporter sends you the draft bill of lading for checking, then the original documents by courier. 6. Arrival: you clear customs with the invoice, C/O, B/L and inspection certificate, then register the vehicle. Total timeline is usually 2-6 weeks. Use payment methods with recourse (T/T or escrow) and keep every contract and receipt.

A realistic timeline: sourcing and negotiation 3-7 days; deposit and booking 1-2 days; pre-shipment inspection 2-4 days; export clearance and vessel booking 7-14 days; sea freight 2-5 weeks depending on destination; import customs clearance and port release 5-10 days. Overall, plan for roughly 5-8 weeks from order to port of destination by sea. For Central Asia and Russia by rail, 2-3 weeks total is common. Tips: ask the exporter for a written schedule with milestones (inspection done, customs cleared, vessel loaded, ETA); track the vessel yourself once you have the container or booking number; and remember Chinese holidays — Chinese New Year and Golden Week can add 1-2 weeks of delay.