Real answers from 24 years of China auto export.
14 questions covering shipping, payment, inspection, documents, after-sales, and more. Use the search or category filter below to find what you need.
Showing 14 of 14 questions
- Shipping
RoRo vs Container shipping: which one should I choose?
RoRo is cheaper and faster but vehicles are exposed on deck. Container is more expensive but offers full weather/theft protection. RoRo for volume new cars; container for used or premium vehicles.
- Shipping
How long does shipping from China to the Middle East take?
Typical port-to-port transit is 22–35 days depending on destination and shipping mode. Add 7–14 days for documentation and customs clearance.
- Shipping
Which Chinese ports do you ship from?
Primary ports: Guangzhou Nansha, Shanghai Waigaoqiao, Ningbo Beilun. Secondary: Tianjin, Qingdao. We choose based on vehicle location, route schedule, and your destination.
- Payment
What's the difference between CIF and FOB pricing?
FOB: seller delivers to ship at China port; you pay freight & insurance separately. CIF: seller's price includes freight + insurance to destination port. CIF is recommended for most buyers — predictable landed cost.
- Payment
What's the standard deposit and balance payment schedule?
Standard: 30% deposit on contract signing (locks stock + freight slot), 70% balance against shipping documents (B/L copy) before vessel sails. Modifications possible for repeat clients.
- Payment
What payment methods do you accept?
Bank wire transfer (T/T) in USD is the default. Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight available for repeat buyers. Major currencies USD/EUR/AED supported. No crypto.
- Inspection
SGS vs BV: what's the difference for car export inspection?
Both are top-tier third-party inspectors accepted globally. SGS is more common in Africa and Latin America; BV is preferred in some Middle East and European markets. We use whichever your destination market or customs requires.
- Inspection
What does the 200-point inspection actually check?
Engine (35 points), exterior body (40), interior (30), suspension/brakes (25), electrical (25), safety systems (20), VIN/ID (15), road test (10). Total 200 checks across 8 categories, all photo-documented.
- Inspection
How much does inspection cost and how long does it take?
$80–$150 per vehicle, typically completed in 2–3 business days. Included in CIF pricing for most Starvia orders. Bulk orders (10+ vehicles) get a per-vehicle discount.
- Documents
What documents come with each exported vehicle?
Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin (CCPIT), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, SGS/BV Inspection Report, China Customs Declaration, plus market-specific certificates (SASO/SONCAP/PVoC depending on destination).
- Documents
How does customs clearance at the destination port work?
Your clearance agent submits the shipping documents to local customs, pays duty/VAT, and arranges last-mile delivery. Typical clearance takes 3–10 days. We can recommend trusted agents in each market.
- After-sales
What warranty comes with vehicles exported by Starvia?
New vehicles: manufacturer warranty 5–6 years / 150,000 km (varies by brand). Battery 8 years on EVs. Used: 30 day key-parts warranty from Starvia. Manufacturer warranty honored in markets with authorized dealer network.
- After-sales
Are spare parts easily available in my market?
For brands with mature export presence (BYD, Chery, Haval, MG, Geely), spare parts are stocked locally in major markets. For other brands, Starvia ships parts from China within 7–14 days. Common wear items kept in our 4 overseas depots.
- General
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No strict MOQ. We ship from 1 vehicle to 100+ in one order. Pricing per-vehicle improves at 5+ units (one container or RoRo lot), with the best pricing at 50+ units (chartered RoRo space).
Question not answered? Talk to us.
Our team replies on WhatsApp within minutes during office hours (Mo–Sa 9:00–18:00 GMT+8).