Can Used Cars Be Transferred to Another Location?
3 Answers
Used cars can be transferred to another location, but the process can be quite cumbersome. The most important thing is to first confirm the receiving requirements of the local area and clear any traffic violations associated with the vehicle. The time required for transferring a vehicle to another location is also relatively longer. Procedure for Transferring a Used Car to Another Location According to regulations, motor vehicles are not allowed to be transferred in a different location. Both parties involved and the vehicle must go together to the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to apply for the transfer procedure. "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations": Article 18: For a registered motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, the current owner must apply for a transfer registration at the vehicle management office of the registration location within 30 days from the date of delivery of the vehicle. Before applying for transfer registration, the current owner must resolve all traffic violations and accidents related to the vehicle. Article 19: When applying for transfer registration, the current owner must fill out an application form, present the vehicle for inspection, and submit the following documents and certificates: (1) Identity proof of the current owner; (2) Proof and certificate of ownership transfer; (3) Motor vehicle registration certificate; (4) Motor vehicle license; (5) For motor vehicles under customs supervision, a "Certificate of Release from Customs Supervision" or a transfer certificate approved by customs must also be submitted; (6) For motor vehicles that have exceeded the inspection validity period, a motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate and compulsory traffic accident liability insurance certificate must also be submitted. If the current owner's residence is within the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office should, within one day of accepting the application, confirm the vehicle, verify the vehicle identification number imprint, review the submitted documents and certificates, retrieve the license plate and vehicle license, determine a new motor vehicle license plate number, annotate the transfer details on the motor vehicle registration certificate, and reissue the license plate, vehicle license, and inspection certificate. If the current owner's residence is not within the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office should handle the matter in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of these regulations.
Last year, I sold a used car to a friend in another province, and transferring the registration to another location was completely fine, but there are some details to pay attention to. First, check the emission standards of the destination city—for example, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen generally require at least China V or China VI compliance. If the car doesn’t meet the standards, you’ll need to modify it or give up. The buyer and I had to visit the original vehicle management office together to complete the transfer-out process, including canceling the mortgage, paying taxes, and issuing a used car transaction invoice. Then, the buyer took the documents to the new city’s vehicle management office to complete the transfer-in and registration. The whole process took us over a week, with additional costs of a few hundred yuan for inspections and agency fees. I recommend calling the local vehicle management office in advance to confirm policies, as regulations vary widely by region to avoid unnecessary trips. Hiring a professional agent can save trouble, but handling it yourself is also quite educational.
I regularly assist with second-hand car transactions, and handling out-of-town transfers isn't really difficult. The key is that the vehicle must not have any outstanding loans or disputes, otherwise it'll get stuck. After both parties sign the sales contract, the buyer needs to schedule an appointment at the vehicle management office in the destination city, bringing identification, the registration certificate, and invoice. If the vehicle has low emissions, additional treatment might be required or you may need to choose a city with looser emission standards. I often remind clients to clarify all costs, including transfer taxes and file transfer fees, as total expenses could be 300-500 RMB higher than local transfers. The whole process usually takes 3-5 days if smooth, but the vehicle can't be used during the transfer period, so a backup car should be arranged. It's best to have the buyer ask a local friend to handle the legwork or go through a formal platform for the process – it's more reliable and hassle-free.
