Importing a Car from China: How the Process Works
Importing a car from China is not complicated once you know the stages it goes through and where delays tend to appear. Below is the full route, as it actually runs.
1. Selection
Everything starts with a specific listing. Our catalogue carries real listings from the Chinese market at the prices they sell for locally. Three parameters matter most: model year, mileage and trim. On the Chinese market a single model often has up to five trims, with price differences reaching 30%.
2. Inspection
We inspect the chosen car on site: paint thickness, accident traces, service history, and battery condition on electric vehicles. This is the stage where a listing described as "accident-free" sometimes turns out to be a repaired car - which is exactly why inspection happens before payment, not after.
3. Agreement and payment
After inspection the final amount is fixed. One important detail: the price shown in our catalogue already covers the full cost of the car on site. It is not a starting or auction price that later collects additional charges inside China.
4. Rail transport
Cars travel by rail and arrive directly in Tbilisi. The typical transit time is 25-35 days. Compared with sea freight this is considerably faster and far less exposed to port congestion.
5. Customs clearance
On arrival the car goes through customs. The amount payable depends on vehicle type, engine capacity, age and other parameters, so we calculate the exact figure for your specific car in advance and send it to you. For a general estimate, use the calculator on the site.
6. Handover
Once clearance is complete the car is ready for registration. You receive the full document set: certificate of origin, transport documents and the customs declaration.
What to agree on in advance
- Who pays for what - which costs are inside the agreed figure and which are not.
- What happens if the inspection finds a problem - in our case we simply do not take the car and look for another one.
- Timing - the 25-35 days covers transport only, not selection or customs.
If you already have a specific model in mind, write to us and we will send you an exact calculation the same day.