Quick answer: Exporting a truck from China requires five core documents — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, export customs declaration, and certificate of origin — plus market-specific certificates such as vehicle conformity/homologation documents (for example GCC for Gulf states or EAC for the Eurasian Economic Union). The full checklist and market-by-market requirements are below.
Core Export Documents (Every Shipment)
| Document | Purpose | Issued By |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Declares the transaction value for customs valuation | Exporter (us) |
| Packing List | Details units, weights and dimensions per vehicle | Exporter (us) |
| Bill of Lading (B/L) | Transport contract and title document for sea freight | Shipping line |
| Export Customs Declaration | Chinese customs clearance for the outbound shipment | Customs broker (we handle) |
| Certificate of Origin | Proves Chinese origin; often needed for duty rates and import licensing | CCPIT / customs authority |
| Insurance Certificate | Marine cargo insurance (required under CIF terms) | Insurance provider |
Vehicle-Specific Certificates
| Certificate | What It Covers | When Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Conformity / CoC | Confirms the vehicle matches its approved type specification | Most markets at import registration |
| Homologation / Type Approval | Market-specific vehicle approval (emission, safety) | Markets with formal approval regimes (GCC, EAC, EU, etc.) |
| Emission Certificate | States the EURO emission level of the engine | Markets with emission-based import rules |
| Pre-shipment Inspection | Third-party inspection of condition and documents | Required by some African markets (e.g. SONCAP-related schemes) |
Market-Specific Requirements (Typical)
| Market | Key Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan / Kyrgyzstan (EAEU) | EAC certification, conformity documents | Emission rules vary by year — confirm before ordering |
| Uzbekistan | National certification, import permit | Rail and road delivery via Khorgos common |
| UAE / Saudi Arabia (GCC) | GCC conformity, SASO for Saudi Arabia | Left-hand drive; desert specification recommended |
| Nigeria & West Africa | Pre-shipment inspection schemes, import duty documentation | Right-hand vs left-hand rules differ by country |
| Peru / South America | National homologation, emission certificate | Spanish documentation support available |
Requirements change over time and vary by vehicle type. This table is a planning guide — always confirm the current rule set with your customs broker or our export team before shipment.
Typical Export Timeline
- Order confirmation: model, configuration and destination port fixed; proforma invoice issued.
- Production / allocation: vehicle prepared; configuration sheet and photos shared for confirmation.
- Pre-delivery inspection (PDI): full inspection report before shipment.
- Export declaration & booking: customs declaration filed; sea or rail freight booked.
- Document set issued: invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin and certificates sent to the buyer ( originals by courier where required).
- Arrival & import clearance: buyer's broker clears customs with the document set; we support with any supplementary documents.
FOB vs CIF: which should you choose?
FOB (Free On Board) means we deliver the truck onto the vessel at a Chinese port and you arrange freight and insurance — best if you have a forwarder relationship. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) means we arrange freight and marine insurance to your destination port — simpler for first-time importers. Both are quoted transparently with every cost item listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to import a truck from China?
Five core documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, export customs declaration, and certificate of origin — plus market-specific certificates such as conformity or homologation documents required by your country.
Who handles the Chinese export customs declaration?
We do. Our export team files the export customs declaration through our customs broker and provides the full document set to the buyer.
Do I need EAC certification for Kazakhstan?
EAEU markets such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan typically require EAC conformity certification. Requirements vary by vehicle type and year — confirm the current standard before ordering.
What is the difference between FOB and CIF for truck export?
FOB: we deliver the truck onto the vessel at a Chinese port; you arrange freight and insurance. CIF: we arrange freight and marine insurance to your destination port. Both are quoted with every cost item listed.
How long does truck export from China take?
Timeline depends on configuration, destination port and shipping schedule. A typical order runs through confirmation, production or allocation, PDI, export declaration and ocean or rail transit — our team provides a schedule with each quotation.