How to buy a car from China, turnkey: steps, timing and what the price is made of

You can buy a car in China without leaving home. But you will see the car only two or three months later, so it helps to understand every step in advance.

Step 1. Choose the car

Start from the turnkey budget, not from the price in China. Delivery, customs and paperwork are added to the price of the car.

• Look at the catalog and the ready collections: electric cars, hybrids, crossovers.
• Not sure what to choose? Answer a few questions in the car finder and we will suggest options.

Step 2. Inspection before you buy

A person inspects the car on site, in China. They check the body, the interior, the battery or the engine, the documents and the mileage. You get photos and a video of the inspection.

Tip

Ask for a cold start video and photos of all documents. For an electric car, ask for a battery health report.

Step 3. Contract and payment

The car is registered in your name. You pay step by step: first for the car, then for delivery and customs. The site does not take or hold your money.

Step 4. Delivery

The car travels in a container by sea, then on a car carrier. The trip usually takes two to three months. The time depends on the port, the season and the queue at customs.

Step 5. Customs and registration

After arrival the car clears customs and gets local plates. What is paid in your country is shown on the pages delivery to Moldova and delivery to Ukraine.

What the price is made of

• the price of the car in China;
• transport to the port, the sea leg and the road to your city;
• customs payments;
• services: search, inspection, paperwork.

The page of every car has a turnkey estimate with these items.

Pros

• A lower price than for the same car at a local dealer.
• A wide choice of models and trims that dealers do not have.
• Every step of the deal shows in your account.

Cons

• You wait two to three months.
• You cannot see the car before you buy: you rely on the inspection.
• The manufacturer’s warranty usually does not apply outside China.

What next

Look at the cars already delivered and leave a request on the page of the car you like. We will answer and work out the turnkey price.