Buyer questions / Importing
What documents do you need to import auto parts from China
To import auto parts from China you need five core documents: the proforma invoice (PI), the commercial invoice (CI), the packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, and the certificate of origin. With that set, your customs broker works out the real duty for your country. We prepare the export-side paperwork; the tax figures are confirmed by your local broker.
Three rules that keep your shipment from being held at customs:
- The commercial invoice (CI) value must match what you actually paid. A value "adjusted" to lower tax is your risk, not a saving.
- Before shipping, confirm the HS code with your customs broker and whether your country needs an import permit or technical certification.
- Ask for the certificate of origin if your country has an agreement with China: it can cut the duty, but only your broker confirms by how much.
What does each document do?
Each paper covers a different stage: closing the order, declaring at customs, proving the contents, and proving the transport. This is the minimum set for a parts import.
| Document | What it does | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Proforma invoice (PI) | Firm offer: locks quantities, prices and terms; basis for the deposit. | Before payment |
| Commercial invoice (CI) | Declares value and goods; customs uses it to calculate taxes. | At clearance |
| Packing list | Breaks down cartons, pieces, net and gross weight per line; lets you verify the load. | Shipment and check |
| Bill of lading / Air waybill | Transport contract and proof of shipment; needed to release the cargo. | Transport |
| Certificate of origin | Certifies Chinese origin; may unlock a preferential duty under an agreement. | At clearance |
What is the difference between the proforma invoice and the commercial invoice?
The proforma invoice (PI) is the offer: you review it, confirm quantities and prices, and pay the deposit against it. It is not yet a customs document. The commercial invoice (CI) comes after, with the real shipment values, and is the one your broker files to calculate taxes. Put simply: the PI closes the deal, the CI declares the goods. The two must stay consistent with each other.
What is the packing list for?
The packing list turns the invoice into physical cartons: how many packages, what is in each, net and gross weight, dimensions. It does two jobs. First, your customs broker cross-checks it against the commercial invoice to see that what is declared and what is shipped match. Second, you use it to inspect the load on arrival and separate any problem by line, instead of arguing about "the whole order" as one block.
What is the bill of lading and why does customs ask for it?
The bill of lading (B/L) is the sea-freight document that acts as the transport contract and as proof the goods were shipped; by air the equivalent is the air waybill (AWB). Your broker needs it to tie the cargo to your declaration, and you need it to release the shipment at the destination port or airport. Without this document the cargo can arrive but not be released.
What is the certificate of origin for?
It certifies the parts are of Chinese origin. If your country has a trade agreement with China, the certificate of origin can give access to a preferential duty. How much you save depends on the HS code, the active agreement and your country's regime, so that number is confirmed by your customs broker, not by us. What we do is issue the correct certificate so you have the option.
Do I need the HS code to import auto parts?
Yes. Most vehicle parts fall within chapter 8708 of the Harmonized System (parts and accessories of motor vehicles). But your customs does not work with the chapter alone: it asks for the full HS code, usually 10 digits, and the duty depends on that code. The correct code for your country is confirmed by your customs broker; we describe the part clearly so the classification does not go wrong.
Who tells me the exact duty for my country?
Your local customs broker or tax adviser. We do not give duty or tax percentages because they change by country, by HS code and by active agreements, and a wrong figure gets expensive. Our job ends at the correct export-side documents; with them, your broker calculates the real landed cost. If you want, we include the certificate of origin option so your broker can assess whether a preferential rate applies.
What should I confirm before shipping?
Before you close the shipment it pays to fix six points with your local side, so the cargo is not held:
- The 10-digit HS code your customs applies.
- The estimated landed cost (CIF), so there are no surprises.
- Whether Chinese origin gives you a preferential rate with a certificate of origin.
- Whether your country requires an import permit, technical certification or pre-declaration.
- The payment method and banking route you can use.
- Whether you go LCL or FCL, the destination port, and which broker clears it.
How long before the goods ship?
Stock parts are dispatched in 2-4 working days once the order and payment are confirmed. Sourced lines, body panels, fragile items and mixed orders need extra time to confirm fitment, photograph and pack. Transit time after that depends on the route and destination, and is arranged with your carrier.
Send us your destination and your list.
With the destination country and the parts, we build the right document set so your customs broker can calculate the real landed cost.
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