Inquiry: Defining the Route Before the Quote
When you inquire about a vehicle from carsfromchinaexport, the first step is not a price — it is a route decision. We ask for your destination city (Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, or other), the vehicle's stock ID, and your preferred Incoterms. Because all our listings are priced FOB China, the route determines the final landed cost. For example, a 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport with 136,000 km and a Maybach S-Class S 480 4MATIC 2024 with 39,000 km have different dimensions and weights, which affect rail and road tariffs. We confirm stock status — the Discovery Sport is in stock under GL-HX-1488814097, the Maybach under GL-CHE-9286. During inquiry, we also verify customs eligibility for EAEU import, including compliance with EAEU customs regulations. This stage typically takes 1–2 business days.
Quote: FOB Price Plus Route Options
Every quote starts with the FOB reference price. From our current inventory, examples include a 2014 Ford Mondeo at $4,800 FOB (stock GL-CHE-0086, 100,000 km), a 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport at $13,750 FOB, and a 2024 Maybach S-Class S 480 4MATIC at $172,600 FOB. These are vehicle-only prices, excluding freight, insurance, and customs. We then present three route options: rail (fastest to Moscow and central Russia), road (flexible for border crossings and smaller cities), and sea (most economical for Vladivostok and the Far East). For each route, we provide estimated transit times, terminal handling charges, and documentation requirements. The quote is valid for 5 business days. We do not inflate FOB prices to hide freight margins — freight is quoted separately, transparently, based on current carrier rates and route availability.
Sample: Not Applicable for Used Vehicles, But Inspection Reports Apply
For used vehicles, a physical sample is not practical. Instead, we provide a detailed inspection report and the original listing data. For the 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport, the report confirms 240PS SE trim, 2.0-liter Ingenium turbo petrol engine, 9-speed automatic, permanent all-wheel drive, 136,000 km on the original odometer, one registered owner, and full disclosure of a repaired tailgate panel. For the 2024 Maybach S-Class S 480 4MATIC, we note 39,000 km, no ownership transfers, black exterior, and excellent condition. The 2014 Ford Mondeo at $4,800 FOB has 100,000 km and left-hand steering. These reports substitute for a physical sample and allow you to assess condition before committing. If you require a third-party inspection, we can arrange it at the Chinese port of shipment for an additional fee, typically $150–$300 depending on location.
Production: Not Manufacturing — Vehicle Preparation and Documentation
Since we deal in used and new vehicles from Chinese stock, 'production' means preparing the car for export. This includes: verifying the vehicle identification number (VIN), obtaining the export certificate, cancelling Chinese registration, and securing the title. For the 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport, the original registration was in Hefei, China, and we confirm no outstanding finance. For the 2024 Maybach, the car has never been transferred between owners. We also prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. This stage takes 3–5 business days after payment confirmation. We coordinate with the seller or auction house to release the vehicle to our consolidation yard. All documents are scanned and shared with you before the vehicle leaves China.
QC: Pre-Shipment Inspection and Photo/Video Verification
Before the vehicle is loaded onto any transport, we conduct a pre-shipment quality check. This includes a walkaround video, odometer photo, VIN plate photo, and engine start video. For the Discovery Sport, we verify the 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly and the all-wheel-drive system engages. For the Maybach, we confirm the 4MATIC system and front-wheel drive bias (as listed) function correctly. We also check for any undisclosed damage. If discrepancies are found, we notify you immediately and offer options: proceed with a price adjustment, or cancel with a full refund of the vehicle price. This QC step is critical for B2B buyers who cannot inspect in person. We do not ship a vehicle that fails our checklist. The QC report is shared digitally, usually within 2 business days after preparation.
Shipping: Rail, Road, and Sea Routes in Detail
Rail: The most common route for central Russia. From Chinese inland terminals (e.g., Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing) to Moscow (Bely Rast or Vorsino) takes 18–25 days. Rail is cost-effective for vehicles up to 2.5 tons. Road: Flexible for destinations like Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, or smaller cities. Trucks cross at border points such as Zabaikalsk or Alashankou, then transit via Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Transit time: 12–20 days depending on customs. Sea: From Shanghai, Ningbo, or Guangzhou to Vladivostok (Commercial Port) takes 7–12 days. This is the cheapest option for Far East buyers. From Vladivostok, vehicles can be railed further west. For the 2014 Ford Mondeo at $4,800 FOB, sea freight to Vladivostok might add $800–$1,200; rail to Moscow might add $2,500–$3,500. These are estimates; exact rates depend on current fuel and terminal charges. We provide a route comparison table with each quote.
After-Sales: Documentation, Customs, and Support
After the vehicle arrives at the destination terminal, we provide the full document set for customs clearance: bill of lading (sea) or CMR (road/rail), commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and export certificate. You or your customs broker then clear the vehicle under EAEU customs regulations. We assist with any document corrections. For B2B dealers, we offer a 30-day post-arrival support window for any logistical issues. We do not cover repairs or maintenance — that is outside our scope. But we do ensure the vehicle matches the listing. If a material discrepancy is found within 7 days of arrival, we work with you to resolve it. Our goal is repeat business, so transparency at every stage is non-negotiable.
Choosing the Right Route: A Decision Framework
For Moscow and central Russia: rail is usually best. For the Far East (Vladivostok, Khabarovsk): sea. For the Urals and Siberia (Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk): road or rail via Kazakhstan. For urgent deliveries: road can be fastest but most expensive. For high-value vehicles like the 2024 Maybach S-Class S 480 4MATIC at $172,600 FOB, we recommend enclosed rail or dedicated road transport to minimize damage risk. For budget vehicles like the 2014 Ford Mondeo at $4,800 FOB, sea is often the most economical. We also consider seasonal factors: Chinese New Year (late January/February) slows production and logistics; winter weather can delay road and rail. Always ask for current transit times — they change monthly.
Documentation You Must Prepare as the Importer
As the Russian importer, you need: a customs broker contract, a declaration to the Federal Customs Service, proof of compliance with EAEU technical regulations (e.g., ERA-GLONASS installation for vehicles), and payment of customs duties, VAT, and recycling fee. For used vehicles, additional inspection may be required. We provide the Chinese-side documents, but you are responsible for Russian-side clearance. We can recommend brokers in major cities. Note: we do not provide insurance, financing, or maintenance services — those are outside our scope. Our role is to deliver the correct vehicle, with correct documents, to the agreed port or border point. Everything else is your responsibility as the importer.
Timeline Summary and Next Steps
Inquiry: 1–2 days. Quote: 1 day. Preparation and documentation: 3–5 days. QC: 2 days. Shipping: sea 7–12 days to Vladivostok, rail 18–25 days to Moscow, road 12–20 days to Urals/Siberia. After-sales: 30 days support. Total from payment to arrival: 14–35 days depending on route. To start, send us the stock ID (e.g., GL-CHE-0086 for the Ford Mondeo) and your destination city. We will return a route-specific quote with FOB price, freight, and estimated transit. No hidden fees.