What are the procedures for importing cars?
2 Answers
Here is a detailed introduction to the procedures for importing cars: 1. The import certificate of the goods, which is a receipt issued by the customs, is an important document for customs clearance. Without the import certificate, parallel imported cars cannot be registered. The content of the customs declaration can identify which car it is, and the place of production refers to the final production location, not the place of origin. 2. The inspection sheet for imported motor vehicles is a necessary procedure for registering parallel imported cars. Without the inspection sheet, parallel imported cars cannot be registered. 3. The vehicle conformity certificate. When the vehicle leaves the factory, the company attaches a vehicle conformity certificate stamped by the company and signed by the person in charge of vehicle conformity. 4. The purchase invoice. The invoice is necessary for purchasing the vehicle purchase tax when registering the car.
Last year I imported a used car from Germany, and the process was quite exhausting. First, I had to find a suitable vehicle source and ensure it could be legally driven in China—for example, checking the national list of prohibited imported models, as some older or specific brands aren't allowed. Next, I had to apply for an import license, which required submitting documents to the relevant authorities, and just waiting for approval took a lot of time. Customs clearance was a crucial step—filling out declaration forms, calculating tariffs (usually around 25%), VAT (13%), and possibly consumption tax. These fees combined accounted for a large portion of the car's price, and I also had to prepare documents like invoices and certificates of origin. After that, the car had to be sent to an inspection center for environmental and safety standard tests. Only after passing could I obtain the certificate needed for registration. Finally, I had to visit the DMV to get license plates, queue up, and submit various documents—making sure not to forget the customs declaration and inspection report. The whole process took two months. I recommend planning your budget and timeline at least six months in advance; otherwise, if handling it yourself is too demanding, consider hiring an agency to manage it.
