What procedures are required to purchase an imported car?
2 Answers
Purchasing an imported car involves procedures similar to those for domestic cars. Below are the relevant procedures: 1. Required documents for purchase: Personal household registration or ID card; Enterprises need to provide the enterprise code certificate. 2. Payment and vehicle pickup: Apply for a vehicle movement permit or temporary license plate, then proceed with payment. The user picks up the car at the agreed time and receives the sales invoice, warehouse or freight receipt, goods import certificate, and commodity inspection certificate. 3. Invoice verification: Submit the purchase invoice for verification at the Industrial and Commercial Bureau where the car seller is located, and have the invoice stamped with a verification seal by the industrial and commercial department to make it valid. 4. Parking certificate: Obtain a vehicle parking location certificate, processed at the traffic police department. 5. Vehicle inspection: New cars need to pass inspection at the vehicle inspection site, and imported cars must present the commodity inspection form and import documents.
Last year, I helped a friend purchase an imported BMW, and the entire process involved several steps: First, selecting the car and a reliable agent, carefully reviewing all terms when signing the contract to avoid missing any details. Next was customs clearance for import, where the agent handled the customs declaration, but required the original invoice, identification, and import license. After clearance, taxes had to be paid, including tariffs and VAT, with rates varying between 10-25% of the car's price depending on the model size. The vehicle was then sent to an inspection station to check safety and environmental standards. Only after passing these checks could a temporary license plate be issued, followed by formal registration and licensing at the DMV. The entire process took at least a month, so it's advisable to prepare all documents in advance and choose a large agent to avoid delays—like my friend, who faced delays due to incomplete documents, disrupting their car usage plans. After-sales service for imported cars is also crucial; prioritize brands with local service networks to avoid future maintenance hassles.
