Export process, documents and Incoterms
An order runs 25 to 55 days from deposit to loading, plus sea transit. The paperwork runs in parallel, and the one document that cannot be obtained retroactively is the destination conformity certificate — it must be issued in China before the vehicle sails.
What Incoterm should I ask for?
Ask for FOB if you have a freight forwarder you trust and volume to negotiate ocean rates with; ask for CIF if you are buying one or two units or shipping into a port where you have no agent. Under Incoterms 2020 risk transfers to the buyer once the vehicle is on board in both cases — CIF does not extend the seller's risk, only the seller's cost.
| Stage | FOB | CIF |
|---|---|---|
| Production and pre-delivery inspection | Seller | Seller |
| Inland haulage to load port | Seller | Seller |
| Export customs clearance | Seller | Seller |
| Terminal handling at origin | Seller | Seller |
| Loading on board | Seller | Seller |
| Risk transfers | On board | On board |
| Ocean freight | Buyer | Seller |
| Marine insurance | Buyer | Seller (Clauses C minimum) |
| Destination terminal handling | Buyer | Buyer |
| Import duty, taxes and clearance | Buyer | Buyer |
| Inland delivery | Buyer | Buyer |
Note the insurance row. CIF obliges the seller to buy only Institute Cargo Clauses (C) cover — a restricted named-perils policy, not the all-risks cover most importers assume. For a vehicle worth thirty to forty-five thousand dollars that is thin, so we quote the upgrade to Clauses (A) on request and state the clause level on every proforma invoice. Longer explanation of FOB vs CIF →
Which documents travel with the shipment?
Five documents ship as standard on every order, plus whatever conformity certificate the destination requires.
- Commercial invoice — the customs value your duty is assessed on. It must match the proforma invoice and the payment record.
- Packing list — VINs, colours, specifications and, for containerised shipments, the loading plan.
- Bill of lading — the title document. Originals release against the 70% balance payment; a telex release is available where the transit is shorter than the courier time.
- Certificate of origin — issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade or the local chamber. A Form E or other preferential certificate is issued where a free trade agreement applies.
- Manufacturer's certificate of conformity — VIN, technical data and the declaration that the vehicle matches its type approval. This is the document a registration authority wants.
Which conformity certificate does my country require?
| Destination | Certificate | Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | KEBS PVoC Certificate of Conformity | Before loading, in China |
| Tanzania | TBS Pre-Export Verification | Before loading, in China |
| Uganda | UNBS PVoC | Before loading, in China |
| Nigeria | SONCAP certificate | Before loading, in China |
| GCC states | GSO Conformity Certificate | Before loading, in China |
| Saudi Arabia | SABER registration + Shipment Certificate | Before clearance |
| EAEU (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) | EAC certificate, TR CU 018/2011 | Before import |
| Australia | Road Vehicle Type Approval, ADR compliance | Manufacturer level |
| Chile | Homologación through 3CV | Before registration |
Read the third column carefully. Nearly every one of these is issued before loading, and none can be obtained once the vehicle has sailed. A consignment arriving without its certificate is either refused entry or released only after a destination inspection at substantially higher cost. We book the inspection as soon as a VIN is allocated.
How long does each stage take?
| Stage | LHD | RHD |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation to proforma invoice | Same day | Same day |
| Deposit to build slot allocation | 1–3 days | 5–15 days |
| Production and pre-delivery inspection | 25–30 days | 30–40 days |
| Conformity inspection (parallel) | 7–10 days | 7–10 days |
| Booking and loading | 3–7 days | 3–7 days |
| Sea transit | 6–42 days by destination | 6–42 days by destination |
Why is right-hand drive slower?
SAIC MAXUS allocates RHD production in batches rather than running it continuously, because RHD volume does not justify a permanent line changeover. An order placed against a confirmed batch ships on the normal cycle; an order that misses a batch waits for the next. We state the current batch date on every proforma invoice rather than quoting a generic lead time. More on RHD supply →
One thing specific to electric vehicles
Lithium traction batteries are classed as dangerous goods for sea transport. Vehicles ship under the applicable IMDG provisions with a state-of-charge limit — typically around 30% — and documented packing. This costs you nothing to negotiate, but it does mean the vehicle arrives part-charged and needs charging before it can be driven any distance from the port. Plan for that at the destination.
Ready to price a shipment?
Send the model, destination port and quantity. A proforma invoice with FOB and CIF options follows within one business day.