2026 Used Truck Export Policy from China – Complete Guide
1. Core Basis of the Policy
- Main documents: The “Announcement on Certain Matters Concerning the Export of Used Vehicles” (Commerce and Other 8 Departments [2019] No. 166) and subsequent supplementary notices issued by these 8 departments (originally 5 departments, later expanded to 8 departments)
- Definition of used vehicles: Passenger cars and commercial vehicles that have been registered and have not reached the mandatory scrapping standard (excluding tricycles, low-speed trucks, and trailers)
2. The most significant new regulations (already confirmed) effective from January 1, 2026
For vehicles that have been registered for less than 180 days and are being exported, a “Confirmation of After-sales Maintenance Services” issued by the manufacturer must be provided. The content must necessarily include:
- Export destination country
- Complete information, such as the vehicle VIN code
- Names, addresses, and contact details of after-sales service outlets in the destination country or neighboring countries
- Official seal of the manufacturing enterprise
Not having this confirmation document = After 2026, this vehicle will definitely not be able to obtain an export license.
3. Types of Qualifications for Used Car Export and Application Requirements (Latest Version 2025)
Type
Manufacturing enterprise
Distribution enterprises
(trade companies)
Main requirements
Domestic independent legal entity + Listed in the “Vehicle Manufacturing Enterprises and Products Announcement” of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Domestic independent legal entity
Business scope
Can only export self-produced vehicles
Any second-hand vehicle that meets the requirements can be exported.
Venue Requirements
No specific requirements.
Fixed business premises + Vehicle display/warehousing facilities
Personnel Requirements
No
≥ 3 Certified Used Car Appraisers (with at least 6 months of social security record provided)
Financial requirements
No special requirements.
The audited financial report for the previous year (the new company provides the capital verification report or the audit report from the investor)
Record of Breach of Trust
No serious violations or breaches of regulations or serious breaches of trust in the past three years.
Same as above
Validity period
Once a year (reapplication is required each year)
Once a year (reapplication is required each year)
4.No need to obtain special qualifications in advance.
Export under Engineering Contract (Channel of Document No. 161)
Apply for the export license directly with three documents:
- Award Notice / Contract
- Registration Certificate for Foreign Contracted Projects
- Business System Registration Receipt of the Ministry of Commerce
This is currently the most commonly used and flexible compliance approach for individual/small companies.
5. Timeline of the Complete Export Process (The fastest for a single vehicle is 20 days, and the slowest is 45 days)
Steps
Timeline
Key points to note
Vehicle procurement screening
30 days
Prohibited types of vehicles: scrapped vehicles, seized vehicles, mortgaged vehicles, vehicles involved in major accidents, vehicles with incomplete documents, etc.
Transfer + Stamp “Transfer for Export.”
5 to 7 days after the transfer of ownership
It must comply with the WM/T 8202 standard, and the validity period of the test report is 90 days.
Apply for an export license
Immediately after the transfer (approval within 3 working days)
One certificate per batch (up to 20 vehicles), commodity code 8703, status filled as “used.”
Customs Export Declaration
After obtaining the license, immediately
Product name format: Old + Brand + Displacement + Model (e.g. Old Toyota 2.5L Sedan)
Vehicle deregistration registration
It must be completed within two months after leaving the country.
Used cars that have been exported cannot be returned! Those that fail to be returned on time will have their accounts cancelled and be included in the list of untrustworthy entities.
In conclusion: After 2026, the export of used cars will truly enter a highly compliant era characterized by “certification + after-sales service + archival management”.
Incompliant small players will be rapidly eliminated, while compliant and service-capable enterprises will reap the benefits.