What is the purchasing process for imported cars?
4 Answers
All imported vehicles must provide the original relevant documents to the Provincial Public Security Department's Vehicle Management Office for filing, which must be approved and entered into the computer system by the Provincial Vehicle Management Office. The specific details are as follows: 1. Prepare the following documents: Motor Vehicle Registration Form and Data Collection Form; Proof of Ownership; Vehicle Inspection Report; Receipt for Computer Check of Stolen or Robbed Motor Vehicles; Criminal Investigation Inspection Report for Cars and Motorcycles; Establishment Certificate (only for public cars); Temporary License Plate or Transport Document; Copy of Additional Fee Payment Voucher and Receipt; 4 Color Photos of the Vehicle; Customs Goods Import Certificate or Customs Supervision Vehicle Entry/Exit License Cancellation Notice; Commodity Inspection Report; Import Goods Approval Certificate and Import Goods Declaration Form; Import License Approval Document; Car Purchase Invoice (the content of the invoice should follow the domestic vehicle registration invoice content, omit the certificate number, and add the import certificate number, commodity inspection report number, and customs supervision notice number); Company Business License and Copy of Organization Code Certificate; Supervised vehicles need to provide the company establishment approval document. 2. The license plate registration process for imported vehicles is as follows: (1) First, go to the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to obtain the "Imported Motor Vehicle Quarantine Certificate," fill out the application, and provide the customs declaration, commodity inspection report, car purchase invoice, ID card/organization code certificate. (2) Pay the vehicle purchase tax, fill out the purchase tax application form, provide the customs declaration, locally exchanged commodity inspection report, car purchase invoice tax copy, ID card/organization code certificate. Then pay by card. Two tax books will be issued. (3) Purchase a Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance (CTPL) that includes the current year's vehicle and vessel tax. (4) Drive the car to the Vehicle Management Office with all the documents, first queue up for the vehicle inspection line, prepare the vehicle frame number and engine number as required by the Vehicle Management Office (usually prepared by the 4S shop and delivered at the time of purchase), inform the inspecting officer to process the vehicle registration, and after the inspection, an additional inspection form will be issued. (5) Take all the documents, inspection form, purchase tax book (copy), and the third copy of the CTPL policy (kept by the traffic police department). Then queue up to wait for the Vehicle Management Office to process the registration.
Previously, I helped a friend with importing a car through customs and realized it must be done step by step. First, you need to confirm with a qualified importer whether the model can be imported—some cars get held up by customs due to exceeding emission limits or failing to meet China 6b standards. After placing the order, you must closely monitor the shipping date and prepare documents like the customs declaration and original factory invoice before the car arrives at the port. The most troublesome part during customs clearance is calculating the taxes: tariff + VAT + consumption tax, which can stack up—for example, a 4.0L displacement car may face a comprehensive tax rate of up to 116%. After paying the taxes, don’t rush to drive off; remember to get the car inspected and stamped by port customs. Finally, take all the documents to the vehicle management office for small-batch certification. The whole process can easily take two months, so it’s crucial to clarify emission certification requirements in advance.
To be honest, the biggest pitfall of buying cars overseas is the hidden costs. On the surface, the official foreign website prices may be 30% cheaper than domestic ones, but shipping alone costs $20,000 to $30,000, especially with the current container shortage. The tariff formula upon arrival is also quite complex, with displacement taxes divided into seven brackets—the 3.0L to 4.0L bracket alone incurs a 25% levy. I've seen people try to save money by buying U.S.-spec cars, only to find out the turn signal colors don’t meet national standards, and modifications cost another 8,000 RMB. Insurance is another headache, with first-year premiums for new cars about 40% higher than for China-spec models. Not to mention maintenance—some German brands outright refuse to provide warranties for parallel-imported vehicles.
As an enthusiast who frequently researches parallel import channels, I recommend focusing on the in-stock vehicles in free trade zones. Tianjin Port currently has bonded warehouses with physical cars available for inspection before making a decision. Pay special attention to three key things: whether the VIN can pass environmental disclosure, if all onboard tools are complete, and if the tire specifications comply with national standards. Last year when accompanying a friend to pick up an LX600, we discovered the Japanese-spec wipers were installed in reverse direction, and had the dealer replace them on the spot. Be extra cautious during payment—never pay the balance until the vehicle passes commercial inspection. When taking delivery, thoroughly inspect the paintwork as container vibrations during ocean shipping can easily cause scratches.
