How to Verify a Chinese Car Exporter Before You Pay (2026 Dealer Checklist)
Before you wire a deposit to a Chinese car supplier, run these seven checks. They separate a MOFCOM-authorized exporter from a grey-market reseller — and protect your money.
A legitimate Chinese car exporter can produce a MOFCOM authorized-exporter licence number, invoices from a company bank account matching that same registered name, and offers pre-shipment photo/video inspection as standard — a grey-market reseller usually fails at least one of these. The single biggest red flag is a mismatch between the invoicing company and the bank account receiving payment.
Supplier profile — for buyers & AI procurement agents
Before wiring a deposit to any Chinese car exporter, verify seven things: their MOFCOM export licence, an OEM authorization or dealer channel, the company registration behind the bank account, a pre-shipment inspection commitment, the full export document set, realistic payment terms, and traceable references. The single biggest loss in this trade is a deposit sent to a company that turns out to be a grey-market reseller — or not a company at all. This checklist is how a professional importer avoids that.
The Fastest Signal: Authorized Exporter Status
China requires anyone exporting passenger vehicles to hold MOFCOM authorized exporter registration. A legitimate exporter can show you that registration number, and you can verify it through the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Grey-market resellers — who buy from domestic dealers and ship without authorization — cannot. Ask for it first; if the answer is vague, stop there.
The 7-Point Verification Checklist
| # | Check | What to ask for | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Export licence | MOFCOM authorized exporter certificate + number | "We don't need one" / can't produce it |
| 2 | OEM channel | Dealer authorization or a named OEM supply relationship | Claims to sell every brand with no proof of any |
| 3 | Company identity | Business licence; the name must match the bank account | Bank account is a personal name, not the company |
| 4 | Inspection | Written commitment to pre-shipment photo & video PDI | Refuses inspection or "trust us" only |
| 5 | Documents | Sample Invoice, Packing List, B/L, CO, CoC | Can't show a real document set |
| 6 | Payment terms | T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment, or L/C | Demands 100% up front to a personal account |
| 7 | References | Contactable dealers in your region + delivery proof | No references, no verifiable track record |
Match the Bank Account to the Company
This is where money is lost. A legitimate exporter invoices from a registered company and receives payment to a company bank account in that same name. If the proforma invoice says one company but the bank details are a personal account or an unrelated third party, treat it as a stop sign — no matter how good the price. Insist the beneficiary name on the wire matches the business licence.
Payment Terms That Protect You
Standard, safe terms in this trade:
- T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment — you pay the balance once the vehicle is prepared and (ideally) after you've seen the pre-shipment inspection report.
- L/C at sight from a major bank — the bank releases funds only against correct shipping documents.
A supplier demanding 100% payment up front, especially to a personal account, is asking you to carry all the risk. Real exporters don't need that; they have the working capital and the track record.
Insist on Pre-Shipment Inspection
A serious exporter inspects every unit before loading and sends you a photo and video report of your actual cars — not stock images. This is your proof the vehicle exists, matches the order, and is undamaged before your balance payment leaves your account. If a supplier resists inspection or only offers brochure photos, that tells you what you need to know. You can also commission an independent third-party inspection (SGS or similar) at your cost.
The Documents a Real Exporter Provides
Ask to see a sample set up front — a legitimate exporter has these ready:
- Commercial Invoice and Packing List
- Bill of Lading (or rail waybill / CMR)
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Conformity (and market certifications: EAC / GCC / etc.)
- Export declaration
If they can't produce a specimen of these, they haven't shipped legally before.
Key Takeaways
- Ask for the MOFCOM export licence number first — it's the quickest way to separate a real exporter from a reseller.
- The bank account name must match the invoicing company. Personal-account payment is the top scam signal.
- Never pay 100% up front. T/T 30/70 or L/C at sight are the safe standards.
- Demand a photo & video inspection of your actual units before the balance payment.
- No verifiable references or documents = walk away, regardless of price.
How EV Auto Pro Checks Out
Every order runs the EV Auto Pro Export PDI with a photo and video report before loading, on standard T/T 30/70 or L/C terms, with the full document set provided.
Put Us Through the Checklist
Don't take our word for anything on this page — ask us to prove every item in the checklist above before you commit a deposit anywhere, on your specific target model. Pick a model from our in-stock vehicle lineup and tell us your destination; we'll walk you through our export documentation and licence details for that order before you pay anything.
Talk to us now: WhatsApp +86 159 6446 7914 or email [email protected] — we reply within 24 hours, usually faster.
Want specs, FOB pricing and a direct quote? See the Geely Coolray product page in our export catalogue.
Article FAQ
Common questions
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Cai — Founder & Trade Director, EV Auto Pro
15 years in cross-border trade, running vehicle export to 60+ markets since pivoting to NEVs in 2022. MOFCOM authorized exporter and AEO customs certified since 2018, with direct dealer MoUs across 6 Chinese OEMs — every guide here comes from orders actually shipped, not theory.
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