Can domestic private cars be driven abroad?
2 Answers
Domestic cars can be driven abroad, but the prerequisite is to complete relevant customs procedures. Contact Customs: Contact the customs of the export country with the invoice and various documents. The customs officials of the export country will decide whether to impose export taxes or even reject the export application based on the country's regulations. Find a reliable logistics company to transport the car back to the country. Documents required: The entry clearance certificate issued by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau after review, the compulsory product certification, proof of non-CFC-12 refrigerant for the car air conditioning compressor, the customs import goods certificate, and the automatic import license from the Ministry of Commerce. After preparing all the documents, the customs will have many accounts to settle, including import duties, consumption tax, and value-added tax.
Actually, I love driving around and taking my private car abroad is totally doable, but thorough preparation is essential. First, you need to handle temporary vehicle export procedures at Chinese customs, like filling out declaration forms and paying relevant fees. At foreign borders, you'll also need to provide an international driver's license and vehicle registration documents—some countries like Russia or Southeast Asian nations may require inspections to ensure your car's lights and safety features meet local standards. Packing emergency tools and common spare parts, such as tires or batteries, is crucial in case of breakdowns that could disrupt your trip. The sense of freedom when crossing borders by car is amazing, offering deep cultural immersion along the way, but the process might take a day or two. I recommend emailing inquiries to both China's vehicle administration and the destination country's embassy in advance to avoid long on-site queues. Overall, international self-driving trips are feasible and particularly enjoyable for neighboring countries, but don't underestimate the complexity—details make or break the journey.
