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You paid the deposit, they said "shipping next week", and a month has passed. Delays are common when importing cars. The delay itself is not the danger — the danger is having no preparation and no basis for a claim. Here is what to do. 1. Four Common Reasons for Delay Reason Your response Model out of stock, production pushed back Demand a production plan or scheduling sheet in writing Waiting for consolidation or vessel space Ask the cut-off date of the next sailing; ship direct if you can Approvals or documents not ready Ask exactly which document is missing a...

The most expensive part of a cross-border dispute is not legal fees — it is what the contract never said. A contract that states the key points clearly costs far less than any later remedy. Here is the buyer's checklist. 1. Eight Items That Must Be Written In ClauseWhat to specify Vehicle specificationBrand, model, year, trim, color, VIN Quantity and priceUnits, unit price, total, price basis (FOB/CIF etc.) Delivery dateLatest shipment date and liability for delay Payment termsDeposit share, balance trigger, account details Inspection and acceptanceWho inspects, when, against what standar...

Vehicle duties are high, so the idea of importing knock-down kits and assembling locally appears. It genuinely can cut duty — but it is not a simple saving tool. Get it wrong and assembly costs eat the entire duty benefit. Here is how to run the numbers. 1. Cost Differences Between Import Forms FormDuty levelWhat else you invest CBU (complete)HighestPre-delivery inspection only SKD (semi-knock-down)MediumSimple assembly space and labour CKD (full knock-down)Usually lowestWelding, painting, final assembly space, tooling and skilled staff The core test: duty saved must exceed the added cos...

You bought the cars, paid the money, and at registration you are told they don't meet local emission standards. It is one of the most expensive mistakes in importing. Ten minutes of checking before you buy prevents a fleet you cannot plate. 1. Emission Thresholds by Market MarketApproximate requirementBuyer note Russia / EAEUEuro 5 and above mainstreamRegulation switchover dates affect registrability Gulf statesAligned to Euro norms with heat rulesConfirm high-temperature emission calibration Latin America and AfricaEuro 3 to Euro 6, country by countryAlways confirm for your specific coun...

You earn once selling a car and every year servicing it. Yet many dealers hit the same wall: they can't find anyone who can repair Chinese cars. Service capability must be built in-house — nobody can copy it from you. 1. Who You Actually Need RoleCore skillsHeadcount Service technicianRoutine service, wear parts, basic checks1-2 to start Diagnostics technicianFault codes, electrical tracing, scanner operationEssential if you sell EVs Service advisorReception, quoting, customer communicationOne can cover it 2. Where People Come From and How They Learn Make supplier training a purchase c...

Once cargo is at port, every day costs money — demurrage, storage, possible warehouse rent. Clearance speed directly sets your landed cost. This manual covers the process, the documents and time management. 1. Typical Clearance Flow StepWhat you do Before arrivalGet B/L, invoice and packing list early; appoint a customs broker B/L release and declarationExchange the B/L, submit documents, declare under the correct HS code Pay dutiesSettle assessed duty and VAT Inspection (if selected)Cooperate with customs; the vehicle must be viewable Release and pickupObtain release and arrange a truck ...

The car has arrived and inspection reveals scratches, dents or even a cracked window. Whether you get compensated often depends on what you do in the first twenty minutes at the port. 1. Four Things to Do at Pickup ActionKey point 1. Inspect before signingPhysically check the vehicle before signing any receipt 2. Photograph and filmWide shots, damage close-ups, vessel/container number, seal number — all at once 3. Note it on the receiptWrite "damage found" and get the driver or port staff to countersign 4. Notify the same dayWritten notice to seller, carrier and insurer — the sooner the b...

The biggest risk in importing cars is not a high price — it is paying and never receiving the vehicle. Choosing the right payment method is your first line of defence. Here are four common options compared. 1. Four Payment Methods Compared MethodYour riskBest for Full prepaymentHighest — entirely on their credibilityOnly small trial orders with excellent existing suppliers Deposit + balance against B/LModerate; most commonStandard choice for a first order Letter of credit (L/C)Lower — the bank checks documentsLarge amounts and first-time counterparties Supplier termsLowest — goods first, ...

In the car trade, what you lack is usually customers, not cash — it is cash. A single unit ties up a large sum, and a slow sale breaks the cycle. Here is how dealers move more metal with less of their own money. 1. Know Your Three Turnover Numbers MetricWhat it meansHealthy direction Inventory daysAverage days from arrival to saleShorter Stock mixHow much cash sits in slow moversKeep slow movers low Collection cycleTime from delivery to customer paymentShorter Once these three are clear, you know exactly where cash is stuck — instead of a vague feeling of being short. 2. Four Ways to St...