Vehicle export paperwork is where otherwise sound deals stall. The documents themselves are not complicated, but they must be consistent with one another and correct for your destination country. A mismatch between the invoice and the bill of lading can hold a car at the port for weeks.
The core export documents
Commercial invoice
States the buyer, seller, vehicle details including VIN, the agreed price and the Incoterm. Customs authorities at both ends use this to assess value, so the figure must match what you actually paid and what appears on your payment records.
Export licence
China requires vehicle exporters to hold appropriate export qualifications. You are not applying for this yourself — your exporter must hold it — but you should confirm that whoever you are buying from is genuinely licensed to export vehicles rather than operating through a third party you have never seen.
Bill of lading
Issued by the shipping line, this is the document of title. Details must match the commercial invoice exactly: consignee name, VIN, port of discharge. Errors here are the single most common cause of clearance delays. Check the draft before it is finalised.
Certificate of origin
Confirms where the vehicle was manufactured. This matters commercially as well as procedurally, because some destination markets apply preferential duty rates under trade agreements.
Vehicle registration and de-registration documents
For used vehicles, proof that the car was properly registered in China and has been de-registered for export. Without this you may be unable to register the vehicle in your own country. This is a critical check when buying second-hand — see our used cars from China service.
Destination-specific requirements
Beyond the core set, many markets require additional documentation. Common examples include pre-shipment inspection certificates issued by an appointed agency, conformity or type-approval certificates, roadworthiness certification, and fumigation certificates for container shipments containing wood packing material.
These requirements are set by your own government, not by the exporter, and they change. Confirm the current list with your customs broker before shipment rather than relying on what applied to a previous consignment.
Electric vehicles
Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods. Shipping a vehicle with an installed traction battery generally requires additional declarations and may restrict which vessels and services can carry it. Some carriers cap the state of charge. Factor this into your route planning, because it can rule out certain sailings entirely.
Practical advice
- Get scans before shipment. Review every document while the vehicle is still in China and corrections are easy.
- Check name consistency. The consignee on the bill of lading must match the importing entity exactly, including legal suffixes.
- Confirm the VIN appears identically on the invoice, bill of lading and registration documents.
- Appoint your customs broker early. They will tell you what your port actually requires, which is more reliable than any general guide including this one.
We prepare and check export documentation as part of every shipment. Tell us your destination country and we will confirm the exact document set before you commit.