How to Compare Used Car Export Quotations from China

When sourcing a used car from China, a quotation is the beginning of a purchasing discussion. To compare offers meaningfully, you need a consistent way to record what each seller is offering and what still needs confirmation. This guide sets out six questions to organize that review.

01Start with the same vehicle specification

A useful comparison starts with a shared specification sheet. Give every supplier the same destination, preferred model, model-year range, mileage limit, trim requirements, fuel type, and quantity. Ask whether the quotation covers an identified vehicle or a vehicle that still needs to be sourced.

For an identified car, request the VIN and inspection information. Note any differences in condition, accessories, tires, keys, or agreed preparation. Two cars with the same model name may still require different work before delivery. Keep those differences visible beside the price instead of treating the offers as interchangeable.

02Define the delivery scope in writing

Ask where the seller’s quoted service ends: at a collection location, a departure terminal, an arrival port, or another agreed point. Record the exact place, proposed transport method, and responsibilities for each handover. A phrase such as “shipping included” leaves too much unexplained.

If the quotation uses an Incoterms® rule, ask for the named place or port and the version being used. The International Chamber of Commerce explains that these rules clarify delivery tasks, costs, and risks between buyers and sellers. Have the chosen rule checked against the actual transport arrangement rather than selecting it by abbreviation alone.

03Separate confirmed costs from estimates

Request separate lines for the car, inspection, agreed repairs, inland transport, export handling, international freight, and insurance where applicable. For each line, mark whether it is included, excluded, optional, or awaiting confirmation. An empty box should remain unresolved rather than being treated as zero.

Ask your destination clearance provider for a separate estimate of relevant local charges. Record the assumptions behind it, including the exact vehicle and destination. Avoid applying another buyer’s tax figure or an old freight quote to your own shipment without verification.

04Check validity, timing, and change conditions

Every comparison should show the quotation date, currency, and expiry date. Ask whether the car is reserved, how long the offer remains available, and which charges may change before booking. Where a currency conversion is needed, record the rate and date used in your own comparison.

Break the proposed schedule into inspection, preparation, document readiness, dispatch, and estimated arrival. Ask which dates are confirmed and which depend on a carrier or another party. Record how delays or revised charges will be communicated, and who must approve a change before additional work begins.

05Review payment and inspection milestones

Request written milestones connecting payments to identifiable steps. Clarify what evidence you will receive after inspection, before dispatch, and after booking. Ask what happens if the inspection reveals an issue, the selected vehicle becomes unavailable, or the agreed preparation cannot be completed.

Keep the seller’s business details, contract identity, and beneficiary information together for verification. If information changes, verify it through an independently confirmed contact channel before acting. Evaluate an offer on the clarity of its documentation as well as its price.

06Build one comparison sheet before deciding

Place each supplier’s offer in the same worksheet and attach its supporting documents. Use the checklist below as a starting point. Add a column for unresolved questions and another for the person responsible for answering them. Compare totals only after the scope and assumptions are aligned.

For the checks that come before the quotation stage, read our practical checklist for overseas used-car buyers. Combining a documented vehicle assessment with a clear commercial comparison gives you a more useful basis for discussion.

Request a clearly scoped quotation

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