Before placing your first vehicle order from China, you should confirm the vehicle's local market compliance, the total landed cost, the payment terms, and the shipping timeline.

Placing your first order for Chinese vehicles can feel complex, but a simple pre-order checklist can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth transaction. Focusing on these four areas will clarify expectations and protect your investment.

Your 4-Point Pre-Order Checklist

  1. Confirm Vehicle Specifications and Local Compliance The most critical step is ensuring the vehicle you want is legal and practical for your country. Check local regulations for emissions standards (for petrol/diesel cars), safety requirements, and charging compatibility (for EVs). Also, confirm essential details like left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD) configuration. A reliable export partner can help you verify if a specific model from brands like BYD, Chery, or Haval is suitable for your market.

  2. Verify the Full Landed Cost Hidden fees are a major concern for first-time importers. Before committing, you need a complete cost breakdown. At Starvia Automotive, we provide Transparent CIF and FOB Pricing so you know exactly what you are paying for. A clear CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) quote should itemize the vehicle's price, inland transport in China, ocean freight to your destination port, and insurance. This quote does not include destination duties or taxes, so be sure to calculate those local costs separately.

  3. Clarify Payment Terms and Schedule Understand the payment structure before sending any funds. The standard process involves a deposit (typically 30-50%) to secure the vehicle and initiate the export process. The remaining balance is usually due upon confirmation of shipment, often when you receive a copy of the Bill of Lading (B/L). Be cautious of any supplier demanding 100% payment upfront without clear justification.

  4. Understand the Export and Shipping Process Ask about the estimated timeline from order confirmation to delivery at your port. This includes factory production or sourcing lead time, booking the vessel, and the sea transit duration. Your export partner, like Starvia Automotive, should explain the shipping method—usually RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) for single units or container shipping for multiple vehicles—and provide an estimated time of arrival (ETA). Confirming this helps you plan for customs clearance and local logistics.