The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Ministry of Transport (MOT), and General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) have jointly issued a new regulatory framework for used vehicle exports.
The policy establishes unified nationwide standards covering vehicle inspection, registration, export licensing, and customs clearance procedures. It also mandates third-party vehicle condition inspection reports for all exported used vehicles and introduces a nationwide-valid export license system. These measures significantly reduce barriers for small and medium-sized exporters and further promote the expansion of China’s used vehicle export industry.
Main Content
On February 11, 2025, the five government authorities officially released the “Announcement on Matters Related to Used Vehicle Exports”, ending years of inconsistent pilot policies and varying customs procedures across different regions. The new regulation establishes a unified national supervision and management system for used vehicle exports.
The announcement introduces the following standardized requirements:
1. Export Qualification and Licensing
– Any enterprise possessing legal import and export qualifications and compliant vehicle sourcing channels may apply for used vehicle export eligibility.
– Export licenses can be applied for online through the Ministry of Commerce business platform.
– Provincial commerce authorities are required to issue licenses within three working days.
– Export licenses are recognized by customs authorities nationwide, eliminating regional restrictions.
2. Vehicle Inspection Requirements
– Every used vehicle intended for export must be accompanied by a comprehensive inspection report issued by a qualified third-party inspection agency.
– The report must clearly disclose key vehicle information, including:
– Mileage
– Accident history
– Flood damage history
– Battery health and degradation status (for new energy vehicles)
– Vehicles without a valid inspection report will not be permitted to complete customs clearance procedures.
3. Registration and Customs Clearance
– Public security traffic authorities have simplified the vehicle deregistration process for export purposes.
– Customs authorities have unified the list of required declaration documents nationwide.
– Additional local verification requirements and supplementary documentation previously imposed by certain regions have been eliminated.
4. Exporter’s Responsibilities
– Export enterprises are designated as the primary party responsible for vehicle quality.
– Export contracts must include basic overseas after-sales service and warranty provisions.
Industry Impact：
Following the implementation of the new policy:
– Twenty-two additional cities have been approved as used vehicle export pilot zones.
– Export efficiency at major ports in Hebei, Shandong, Chongqing, and Guangdong has improved by approximately 40%.
– During the first half of 2025, China’s used vehicle exports increased by 76% year-on-year.
– A growing number of small and medium-sized foreign trade companies have entered the international used vehicle export market, accelerating the global expansion of China’s automotive industry.
