Are There Any Restrictions on Licensing Parallel-Imported Vehicles?
2 Answers
Parallel-imported vehicles (parallel-import cars), also known as parallel-trade imported vehicles or simply parallel-trade cars, refer to automobiles purchased by traders from overseas markets and introduced into the Chinese market for sale without authorization from the brand manufacturers. Depending on the country of origin, they can be categorized into "U.S.-spec cars," "Middle East-spec cars," "Canada-spec cars," and "Europe-spec cars," distinguishing them from "China-spec cars" sold through authorized channels. As long as the parallel-imported vehicles obtain import certificates from customs and inspection and quarantine departments, they can theoretically be licensed just like regular imported vehicles. However, if the parallel-imported vehicles fail to comply with national standards, traffic authorities may impose restrictions during the licensing process. Public security traffic management departments must rely on import certificates issued by customs to process licensing procedures for parallel-imported vehicles.
When I bought my parallel-imported car back then, the license plate registration was quite a hassle. Domestic requirements for these vehicles are particularly strict. First, your car must meet local emission standards – for example, Beijing and Shanghai require China VI compliance, and imported cars that don't meet it may need a DPF system installed. Second, safety certifications must be complete, including mandatory CCC marks, otherwise it won't clear customs. I personally ran into issues with incomplete documentation – the import certificate and inspection report were both essential, and it took me half a month to complete all procedures before getting plates. Honestly, bigger cities have more restrictions, while smaller localities might be more lenient, but overall there are definitely limitations for parallel-imported cars. Don't try to save on inspection fees, or you might get stuck at the DMV. My advice is to check local policies and vehicle conditions first – it'll save you time and trouble.
