What procedures are required for licensing an imported car?
2 Answers
Procedures for licensing an imported car: 1. Prepare documents: Original and photocopy of the Certificate of Imported Goods, original (two copies) and photocopy of the Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles, original (three copies) of the Unified Invoice for Motor Vehicle Sales, personal ID photocopy (for individuals), original and photocopy of the Organization Code Certificate, official seal, and duplicate of compulsory traffic insurance (for organizations); 2. Go to the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to exchange for the Quarantine Certificate for Imported Motor Vehicles, fill out the application form, provide the required materials, and sign; 3. Pay the vehicle purchase tax at the National Tax Bureau, fill out the Purchase Tax Declaration Form, provide the Certificate of Imported Goods, photocopy of the locally exchanged Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles, tax payment copy of the car purchase invoice, and photocopy of the Organization Code Certificate (not required for individuals); 4. Go to the Vehicle Management Office, no additional vehicle inspection is required locally, provide the original Certificate of Imported Goods.
I remember the chaos of getting license plates for my imported car last year. Let me start from the beginning: First, I had to secure the import declaration and goods certificate from customs, which required paying hefty import duties and consumption taxes—calculated based on the car's price. Next, I rushed to the commodity inspection department to verify the vehicle’s compliance with safety standards, like emission testing (now meeting China 6 standards is mandatory—don’t skip this step). Then came the tax phase: paying the vehicle purchase tax. The tax office had long queues, so booking an appointment saved time. Insurance was non-negotiable—I got compulsory traffic insurance and commercial coverage for peace of mind. Finally, at the DMV, the car underwent inspection. I brought my ID, purchase invoice, and all certificates to pass in one go before plates were issued. The whole process took over a week—time-consuming and exhausting. My advice: prepare a checklist of documents in advance or hire a professional agent to avoid mistakes and repeated trips. In short, importing a car adds a few extra steps compared to domestic models, but don’t worry—once you know the drill, it’ll go smoothly.
