What core qualifications and processes are required for personal car export agency?
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I am an individual business owner running a used car trade. Recently, several Southeast Asian clients want to buy 3 used luxury cars from me, but I have never been involved in export business before. I do not know if an individual can export cars directly? What documents do I need to prepare?
If I hire an agency, can they help me handle links including customs declaration, logistics and tax refund? I also heard that customs has extremely strict valuation rules for used cars, is it possible that my vehicles will be detained? Besides, can individuals operate foreign exchange settlement directly? I am completely confused and afraid of making mistakes, and want to know the proper and safe operation process.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
First of all，individuals cannot export cars directly，and the whole operation must be completed through an agency company with full import and export operation rights. The agency will first assist in finishing pre-procedure document review，including vehicle driving license，vehicle registration certificate，purchase invoice，vehicle inspection report (such as CCC certification exemption certificate)，export license (required for some high-value models) and other documents，to make sure all information on documents is fully consistent with the actual vehicle information.
For core node connection，the agency will coordinate roll-on/roll-off shipping，which is the most commonly used transportation method for used car exports，confirm shipping schedules in advance to avoid container rolling. During the customs declaration process，the agency will submit electronic customs declaration forms and all supporting documents to customs，and finish HS code classification synchronously，for example，under HS chapter 8703. Foreign exchange collection will be processed through the agency's corporate foreign exchange account，to guarantee the received amount is fully consistent with the figure on the customs declaration form.
Abnormal contingency plans should be prepared in advance: if there is a dispute over customs valuation，the agency will provide proof of recent export transaction prices of same type of vehicles，if logistics port demurrage occurs，the agency will coordinate with the port to apply for extended free storage period，which is usually 3 to 7 days. For final compliant implementation，all documents shall be filed completely and kept for at least 5 years，and all tax refund materials including export customs declaration form，VAT invoice and foreign exchange collection voucher shall be well matched to avoid tax investigation risks.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
During customs valuation process, authentic and valid transaction contracts, invoices and recent export data of same vehicle models shall be submitted.
If your declared price is questioned as abnormally low, you can apply for price consultation, submit detailed cost breakdown including purchase price, maintenance cost, transportation cost, or provide a third-party appraisal report as supporting proof. Note that you must respond to the valuation dispute within 15 working days, overdue response may lead to cargo detention.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
Used car export business shall give priority to direct roll-on/roll-off shipping routes to reduce risks brought by transit links. Vehicles shall be fixed on the deck or inside the cabin with special binding straps to avoid displacement during transportation.
Confirm the free storage period with the shipping company in advance, which is usually 7 days. If you cannot pick up the vehicle in time after the cargo arrives at the port, you can apply for a 2 to 3 days extension, and demurrage fee at about 50 to 100 US dollars per day will be charged for extra days beyond the extended period.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Individuals cannot claim export tax refund directly, while the agency company can advance the corresponding tax refund for you. You need to make sure the special VAT invoice is completely authentic and valid, and the capital flow is fully consistent with the invoice flow, which means the trade payment must be transferred through the agency's corporate account.
If the invoice information does not match the data on the customs declaration form, a tax verification procedure may be triggered and delay the whole tax refund process.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
Individuals cannot collect foreign exchange directly, and the foreign exchange payment shall be received through the agency's official foreign exchange account. When handling foreign exchange settlement, you need to provide customs declaration form, trade contract and invoice, to make sure the collection amount is consistent with the figure on customs declaration.
If the gap between the received foreign exchange amount and the declared amount exceeds 5%, you need to submit explanatory documents such as commission agreement to the bank, to avoid settlement rejection.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
The trade contract shall clearly specify vehicle conditions including mileage, maintenance records, delivery time and liabilities for breach of contract.
You shall avoid soft clauses in letters of credit, for example, clauses requiring you to provide a "third-party flawless certificate" which is impossible to obtain. It is suggested to add force majeure clauses in the contract to cover risks such as port strikes and shipping schedule delays.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
When customs carries out physical inspection, the vehicle shall be kept clean, and all relevant documents shall be prepared for on-site submission.
If inconsistency between the vehicle and documents is found, such as mismatched VIN number, you shall contact the agency immediately and apply for modification of the customs declaration form. During the X-ray machine inspection, all metal ornaments on the vehicle shall be removed to avoid being misjudged as contraband.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
Used cars for export need anti-rust treatment, the whole car body shall be wrapped with waterproof membrane and fixed on a special transportation pallet.
If the vehicle is equipped with a battery, such as new energy vehicles, you need to provide the UN38.3 test report to confirm it meets the dangerous goods transportation standards. Clear marks such as "Fragile" and "Moisture Proof" shall be labeled on the outer package.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
For tax refund application, you need to provide the tax refund copy of export customs declaration form, special VAT invoice and foreign exchange collection voucher. All documents including contract, invoice, bill of lading and other related materials shall be filed and kept for at least 5 years.
If you need to submit a cross-month declaration, you shall finish the pre-declaration procedure before the 15th of the next month, to avoid overdue issues that affect tax refund progress.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
For cost optimization, you can choose FOB term under which the buyer takes charge of logistics arrangement to cut down transportation cost, or choose CIF term under which the seller undertakes freight and insurance to enhance the control of cargo ownership. You shall select the proper trade term based on clients' demand: Southeast Asian clients prefer FOB term, while European and American clients are more receptive to CIF term.