A proper third-party inspection has four parts, and you should insist on all of them. 1. Lift inspection: the car goes on a hoist to examine the underbody, frame rails, suspension arms and oil pan for impact damage or leaks — areas no photo set can cover. 2. Paint thickness check: a gauge reading from every panel. Inconsistent or very high values reveal repainting; structural points like the A/B/C pillars matter most because they indicate accident repairs. 3. OBD diagnostics: fault codes and live data from the engine, transmission, ABS and airbag modules. Stored historical codes often tell the truth the dashboard hides. 4. Road test: cold and warm driving to check shifting, braking and unusual noises. The report should carry the VIN, inspection date and the agency's stamp or digital signature. It costs very little compared to the price of the car, and it filters out most problem vehicles before your money moves.

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.

Pure electric vehicles are classified as Class 9 Dangerous Goods due to their large lithium batteries, leading to strict shipping regulations. Shipping companies have high requirements for the loading position and fire isolation measures for dangerous goods, and some roll-on/roll-off ships refuse to accept used EVs. As a result, EVs often require more expensive special container shipping and incur additional handling fees for hazardous materials.