How to Import a Truck from China

Quick answer

Importing a truck from China is a process, not a purchase. The truck is the easy part; the part that goes wrong is almost always one of these four: the wrong emission standard for your country, a chassis and a crane/body built to different specs, missing export documents, or a shipping method that cannot carry the vehicle.

Plan for 6–10 weeks end to end: production 20–45 days, sea freight 20–50 days depending on route, plus customs clearance at destination.

1. The 8 steps, in order

The most expensive mistake in this table is step 1. Emission standard and steering side cannot be changed after the chassis is ordered, and a truck that cannot be registered is worth scrap value in your market.

2. How the vehicle actually ships

Lashing is not a detail. Ask your forwarder for the lashing plan for cranes and high-CG vehicles, and photograph the unit after loading.

3. Documents you will be asked for

Pre-shipment conformity programs (SONCAP in Nigeria, PVoC in Kenya/Tanzania, COC in Saudi Arabia, etc.) require inspection before loading. If you discover the requirement after the container sails, you will pay for it twice.

4. HS codes you will see on the paperwork

The body builder's invoice often lists the chassis under 8704 and the body/crane under 8705 or 8708. Mismatched codes between invoice, B/L and customs declaration are one of the most common clearance delays — ask for one consistent description.

5. What the total cost includes

Do not compare "truck price" alone. Budget these lines:

1. Unit price (ex-works) — what suppliers usually quote;
2. Inland transport in China to the port;
3. Export declaration / port charges;
4. Ocean freight (+ war risk, BAF where applicable);
5. Marine insurance (typically a small percentage of CIF value — ask for the quote);
6. Destination port charges (THC, doc fees, demurrage if you are slow);
7. Import duty + VAT based on HS code and your country;
8. Customs broker fee;
9. Registration / homologation / plating in your country;
10. Contingency for modifications found during inspection.

A quotation that says "FOB Shanghai USD X" is a starting point, not a landed cost. Ask each supplier for a pro-forma invoice with the Incoterm written out (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP / DDP) — the difference between CIF and DDP can be 25–40% of the total.

6. Six mistakes that cost the most

1. Ordering China VI when your country registers Euro 3 (or the reverse) — the truck arrives and cannot be plated.
2. Trusting a spec sheet instead of a plate photo — the crane or engine model on the plate is the one that exists.
3. Skipping the pre-shipment inspection — photos of a different unit are common; ask for the VIN and the crane serial in the same frame.
4. One invoice description, another on the B/L — customs will stop it.
5. No lashing plan for cranes — a truck-mounted crane that shifts in heavy weather writes off the shipment.
6. Paying 100% up front to a trading company you have not verified — use a deposit plus inspection-linked balance.

7. What to send a supplier (copy this)

1. Truck type and body: ______ (tipper / crane / tanker / refrigerated / other)
2. Emission standard required for registration in ______: ______
3. Steering: LHD / RHD; road regulations: ______
4. Destination port and country: ______
5. Preferred Incoterm: FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP / DDP → ______
6. Required documents (CO / Form E / SONCAP / PVoC / COC…): ______
7. Please quote: unit price, inland transport, export charges, freight, insurance, and total landed estimate
8. Please attach: chassis VIN, engine model, emission certificate, and a plate photo of the actual unit

8. Where to look next

• All vehicles in our marketplace
• How to buy a truck-mounted crane from China
• How to choose a refrigerated truck