Domestic second-hand car incursion has intensified, and blue ocean markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia have erupted. In 2026, China's second-hand car exports are expected to exceed 450,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 35%. However, many car dealers still have a vague understanding of export thresholds, new regulations and full-link steps. Today's article explains the entire process of the latest used car export in 2026. From qualification, car selection, transfer, testing, license, customs declaration to cancellation, every step has standard operation + key points to avoid pits. Novices follow them directly and go out to sea in compliance with regulations. Don't step on thunder!

1. Preliminary preparation: obtaining export qualifications and the first step in compliance

Not everyone can export used cars. They must first become a pilot enterprise registered by the Ministry of Commerce. Without qualifications, they can only cooperate with compliant enterprises to go abroad.

1. Enterprise qualification requirements (indispensable)

Domestic independent legal person company with fixed business premises

3 or more licensed used car appraisers (social security is in the company)

No record of major violations of law and breach of trust, and good financial status

2. filing process

Log in to the unified platform of the Ministry of Commerce's business system to submit materials, which will be reviewed by the provincial commerce department. After passing, export qualifications will be obtained, which will be reviewed once a year.

3. Key points of the 2026 new regulations

Strictly control the export of "new cars disguised as used cars"

Vehicles registered for less than 180 days must provide the "After-Sales Maintenance Service Confirmation" issued by the vehicle company, otherwise they will not be issued.

2. Purchase of vehicle sources: Select vehicles accurately and avoid 90% of the pits

Car selection directly determines whether it can be exported and whether it can be profitable. The core is compliance + adapting to the needs of the target country.

1. Give priority to these cars (hot models in Africa/Middle East)

Vehicle age: 3-8 years of domestic fuel vehicles and hybrid models (pickups and compact cars are the best sellers)

Vehicle condition: No major accidents, no water fires, no mortgage seizure, complete certificates

Adaptation: Solid and durable leather, cheap maintenance, easy to find parts, meeting the emission/right rudder requirements of the target country

2. Absolute ban on elections (direct rejection of exports)

Scrap vehicles, assembled vehicles, stolen vehicles; left-hand vehicles exported to right-hand countries; vehicles that do not meet emission/age restrictions

3. Transfer registration: handle "transfer pending export" and lock the vehicle

After purchasing a vehicle, you must go to the vehicle management office to register the transfer, which is the core prerequisite for export.

1. Processing steps

1. Clear vehicle violations and accidents, and prepare registration certificates, driving licenses, and transaction invoices

2. The vehicle management office handles the "transfer pending export" endorsement and returns the original license plate and driving license.

3. Get temporary driving license plate (valid for up to 60 days, and exit must be completed within the validity period)

2. key points

The owner of the registration certificate must be an export enterprise, and vehicles under the name of an individual cannot be directly exported

The temporary number plate has expired and has not been exported, and needs to be re-processed, which will affect the progress.

4. Third-party testing: one vehicle, one inspection, a necessary pass for customs clearance

All exported used cars must be subject to mandatory testing, and no license cannot be applied for without a compliance report.

1. testing standards

It is implemented in accordance with the Ministry of Commerce's "Export Quality Requirements for Used Passenger Vehicles"(WM/T8-2022), covering core items such as safety, emissions, and vehicle condition.

2. handling methods

Select a third-party testing agency recognized by the Ministry of Commerce, one vehicle, one inspection and one report, and issue an agency credit statement simultaneously.

3. New requirements in 2026

A statement that meets the target country's access standards must be submitted (a statement is required even if there are no standards), otherwise the review will not be passed.

5. Apply for an export license: issue the license within 3 working days, no word can be wrong

A license is the core certificate for export, and one license is issued for each batch. Whoever exports will apply for it and cannot be handled on behalf of it.

1. Essential materials (indispensable)

Export License Application Form (Completed in System)

Motor vehicle registration certificate (endorsed as "Transfer pending export")

Used car transaction invoices, export contracts (with Chinese translation attached in foreign languages)

Third-party testing report + institutional statement

Enterprise compliance commitment letter

Vehicles registered for less than 180 days: After-sales Maintenance Service Confirmation Form

2. Processing process (online)

1. Electronic key login to the unified platform of the Ministry of Commerce's business system

2. Filling information (VIN, brand, registration date, etc. must be completely consistent with the registration certificate)

3. Upload materials and submit them to the Provincial Department of Commerce for review

4.3 working days to approve the review and download the electronic license

3. Reminder to avoid pits

Information filling errors will be directly rejected and resubmitted after modification, delaying the export cycle

6. Customs clearance + international transportation: Paperless customs clearance, choosing the right logistics is more worry-free

After the license is obtained, it enters customs declaration and international transportation, and the process is standardized, focusing on details.

Customs declaration (single window)

1. China's single window paperless declaration for international trade

2. Product name specification: old + brand + displacement + model (example: old Geely 1.5L sedan)

3. Fill in the VIN code one by one, and the customs check the electronic license online

4. Release after verification is consistent, and vehicles that have been cleared shall not be returned for transportation

International transportation (mainstream in Africa)

Method: ** Ro-ro ship (preferred, low cost)** or container transportation

Insurance: Freight insurance must be purchased to avoid transportation risks

Timing: Domestic ports → African ports approximately 25-40 days

7. Vehicle cancellation + customs clearance in the destination country: close the closed loop and complete compliance

1. Domestic deregistration (required)

Within 2 months after customs release, you will go to the vehicle management office to cancel the vehicle on the strength of the export declaration form, license, and registration certificate. After cancellation, the vehicle may not be transported back.

2. Customs clearance and delivery in destination country

1. Assist overseas customers in customs clearance, tax payment, and vehicle pickup

2. Provide basic after-sales and parts support to improve repurchase rates

Summary of the core new regulations on used car exports in 2026 (must-see)

1. Vehicles registered for less than 180 days: The vehicle company's After-Sales Maintenance Service Confirmation Form must be provided

2. Filling in the license: VIN, date, and model are exactly the same as the registration certificate, otherwise the issue will be refused

3. Export of modified vehicles: Certificate of authenticity of modification +CCC certification + Announcement of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

4. Consequences of violations: Enterprises are blacklisted and export qualifications are suspended/cancelled

conclusion

In 2026, Africa's second-hand car outlet has arrived, with an increase of 450,000 vehicles and a growth rate of 35%. There is no domestic involution, and the profit margin far exceeds that of the local market. The entire process of exporting used cars has been standardized, from qualification → car selection → transfer → testing → license → customs declaration → cancellation. The seven steps are closely linked. Compliance is the bottom line, and details determine success or failure. Newbies suggest giving priority to compliance pilot companies and filing independently after familiarizing themselves with the process; giving priority to core African markets with stable policies such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to avoid the risk of policy fluctuations. In 2026, it is time to jump out of the domestic turmoil, seize the dividends of Africa's blue ocean, and go out to sea in compliance!# Full process of used car export #2026 new rules on used car export #China used cars going to sea #Africa used car trade

Source: Digital automobile export-Huohuo

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