Quick answer: Six core documents ship with every properly exported used car from China: sales contract, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and the per-vehicle used-car export licence. A serious exporter adds a bilingual 158-point inspection report and loading photos/video. Scans arrive as each document is issued; originals travel with the shipment. Proofread the full set before the vessel sails — mismatches are what cause demurrage.
Documents are where used-car imports succeed or fail. The car can be perfect and the paperwork still strand it at a destination port for weeks. Here is the complete set, what each document is for, and the checks that keep you out of trouble.
The six core documents
| Document | Issued by | What it does | When you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales contract | Exporter | Fixes price, trade term, refurbishment scope, timeline and penalty terms | Before deposit |
| Commercial invoice | Exporter | States the transaction value customs will assess duty on | At loading |
| Packing list | Exporter | Lists each vehicle by VIN, model and container/seal assignment | At loading |
| Bill of lading (B/L) | Carrier | Contract of carriage + title document; your tracking reference | After vessel departs |
| Certificate of origin | Authorized Chinese body | Proves Chinese origin; can reduce duty under trade agreements | Before departure |
| Used-car export licence | Chinese authorities (per vehicle) | Legal proof the car was bought and deregistered for export — without it the car cannot leave China or be titled abroad | Before departure |
Supporting documents a serious exporter adds
- Bilingual inspection report — ours is a 158-point check delivered as a Chinese/English PDF, including odometer authenticity verification.
- Loading photos and video — the container, the cars inside, the seal number being applied. Your evidence if anything is disputed on arrival.
- Walk-around video — a live or recorded tour of the exact vehicle before you commit.
- Insurance certificate — if you bought CIF, the marine cover note applying to your shipment.
Scans first, originals with the shipment
Expect scans by email or WhatsApp as each document is issued — your clearing agent should pre-check the set while the vessel is still at sea, which is exactly when errors are cheap to fix. The originals then travel by courier or with the shipping line per your instructions. One rule worth enforcing on yourself: never release the balance payment before you hold at least the bill of lading copy.
The four mismatch traps
- Consignee name spelled differently on the invoice versus the bill of lading (add a missing Ltd and customs starts asking questions).
- VIN errors between the export licence, invoice and packing list — one transposed character can block release.
- Declared value differences across documents — customs treats these as red flags for undervaluation.
- Model description inconsistencies versus the certificate of origin.
Frequently asked questions
What documents come with a used car from China?
Six core: sales contract, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and the per-vehicle used-car export licence — plus inspection report and loading photos from a serious exporter.
Why does the export licence matter so much?
It proves the car was legally purchased and deregistered for export in China. No licence means the car cannot leave China, and cannot be titled at destination. It is issued per vehicle.
Scans or originals?
Scans as issued (so your agent can pre-check), originals with the courier or the shipment. Never pay the balance before holding at least the B/L copy.
Who handles SONCAP / SASO / ECAS?
The exporter issues the China-side set and cooperates with conformity assessment; buyer-side steps (Form M, customs entry, registration) are yours or your local agent's.
Want the document set before you commit?
Ask us for a sample document pack from a recent shipment to your country — invoice, licence, B/L — with buyer details redacted.
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