China has centralized vehicle records you can check remotely before paying anything. Ask the exporter for the 17-digit VIN, then request two reports. First, the maintenance history: third-party platforms pull 4S dealership records showing service dates, mileage and repair items. A mileage line that goes down over time is a red flag for odometer tampering. Second, the insurance claim history: it lists accident dates, claim amounts and repaired parts. Heavy claims involving frame rails or airbags should end the deal. Practical tips: run the reports yourself instead of accepting screenshots from the seller, make sure the report date is close to the delivery date, and cross-check with physical wear such as the steering wheel, pedals and seat bolsters, which cannot lie about high mileage. Keep in mind that small private repairs never enter these databases, so combine history checks with a physical inspection before shipping.

Demurrage is a penalty charged by the port or shipping company for not clearing and picking up goods on time after they arrive. To avoid it: send customs documents in advance and ensure the recipient is prepared with duties and import qualifications.

The lifespan of rubber sealing strips for frameless doors is usually only 4-5 years. We carefully press the sealing strip at the edge of the roof to check for loss of elasticity and use a high-pressure water gun to wash the seams of the windows to check for direct water leakage due to aging.