Customs clearance at destination is usually handled by a licensed customs broker, not the exporter. You can hire one yourself or use a broker recommended by your shipping agent. The typical flow: your broker files the import declaration using the documents the exporter must provide — the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and the certificate of origin. Depending on your country's rules, you will also need to pay import duty, VAT or sales tax, and any excise or environmental levies before the car is released. Things that commonly delay clearance: mismatched VIN numbers between documents, missing pre-shipment inspection certificates (required in some African and Middle Eastern countries), or non-compliance with your country's used-car import age limits. Budget 3–10 working days for clearance after the vessel arrives, plus storage fees if documents are incomplete. Tip: send all documents to your broker for review before the ship departs China — fixing errors at origin is much cheaper than demurrage at destination.

It's not mandatory. Four-wheel alignment and dynamic balance are part of routine maintenance. During long-distance towing and sea transport, the suspension may experience slight changes in stress. We recommend that buyers perform a four-wheel alignment locally after picking up the vehicle at the destination port and replacing tires suitable for local road conditions.

Countries like Kenya typically require the First Registration Date to be within a specific timeframe. We will provide a notarized copy of the Vehicle Registration Certificate, along with an English translation, as absolute legal evidence.