Plan for roughly 25-40% on top of the vehicle price. The main items are: 1. Pre-purchase: deposit (10-30%), third-party inspection fee (100-300 USD). 2. In China: inland trucking to the port, export declaration fees. 3. Shipping: ocean freight (container 20ft usually 1,500-4,000 USD depending on destination), marine insurance (about 0.3-0.5% of car value). 4. In your country: customs duty, VAT/GST, port handling and storage, customs broker, quarantine or pre-shipment inspection if required, registration and plates. Always ask the exporter for an itemized landed-cost estimate for your specific port before paying the deposit, and confirm which Incoterm the quote is based on (FOB, CIF or DDP makes a big difference).

Remote mechanical assessment relies on documented evidence: 1. Cold-start video: Ask for a video of the engine starting from cold — listen for rattles, watch for smoke (blue = oil burning, white = possible head gasket issue). 2. OBD scan: A full diagnostic scan reveals fault codes in the engine, gearbox, and electronics. Request the raw scan report, not a screenshot summary. 3. Service records: Cross-check mileage against maintenance records and inspection stickers; consistent records indicate a cared-for car. 4. Fluid check: Photos of the oil dipstick and coolant color tell a lot — milky oil or rusty coolant are red flags. 5. Test drive video: A short drive video shows gear shifts, braking, and steering behavior. Combine these with the pre-shipment inspection report. A seller who refuses to provide cold-start video or OBD data is a warning sign.

Cross-border after-sales support mainly comes from three channels: 1. Contract terms: Reputable exporters commit in the sales contract to engine and gearbox coverage for 30 days after pickup, excluding wear-and-tear items. Get this in writing before paying. 2. Inspection report: The pre-shipment inspection report is your baseline. If the car arrives with problems that contradict the report (e.g., hidden accident damage not disclosed), you can file a claim against it. 3. Parts supply: For mainstream Chinese brands, spare parts channels exist in Russia, Central Asia, the Gulf, and Africa. Many exporters will help you source and ship parts after delivery. Practical tips: inspect the car on arrival and photograph everything; report any issue in writing within 48 hours; keep all shipping documents. Claims filed weeks later are hard to prove.