How to Import Used Trucks from China (Complete Guide)
To import used trucks from China, you select a unit and inspect it on live video, sign an FOB or CIF contract, pay a 30% deposit, ship from Tianjin, Shanghai or Qingdao, then clear customs at your own port with the Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin. Budget 38–67 days end to end and 13,000–30,000 US dollars landed for a typical 6×4 tractor truck.
Written by Bean Wang — founder and export manager at HebeiCar, with 10+ years in the used truck export business.
Meanwhile, Chinese second-hand trucks keep flowing to Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America, and volumes keep rising. Because the supply is deep and the price gap with Europe is wide, a first-time importer can still buy a reliable unit without a big budget.
Still, the paperwork frightens most new buyers. So let me walk you through the whole process, step by step, in the order it actually happens.
Why Import Used Trucks from China in 2026
China gives you three advantages that Europe and Japan no longer match: a 30–50% lower FOB price for the same age and specification, spare parts that stay cheap and available across Africa, and a factory-direct supply chain that can deliver within weeks rather than months. Also, Chinese trucks are built for rough roads and hard loads, which matches African operating conditions far better than a European highway tractor.
Step 1: Choose the Right Truck
First, decide three things before you talk to any exporter: the truck type, the brand and your total budget including freight. As a rule, pick the type by the job, not by the badge on the grille, and keep 30% of your budget for freight, duty and clearing.
| Truck type | Typical FOB range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4×2 tractor truck | $8,800–$13,500 | Regional haulage, port shuttles |
| 6×4 tractor truck | $12,500–$19,500 | Long-haul and container work |
| 6×4 dump truck | $12,000–$19,000 | Construction, quarry, mine supply |
| 8×4 dump truck | $15,000–$23,000 | High-volume earthmoving |
| Cargo truck (4×2) | $6,000–$14,000 | Distribution and inter-city freight |
| Pickup (double cab) | $5,500–$12,000 | Mixed passenger and light load |
| Special purpose (mixer, crane, reefer) | $14,000–$30,000 | Ready-mix, lifting, cold chain |
Then check current prices before you bargain. Our tractor truck prices for Africa and used truck price guide show how year, mileage and specification move the number.
Step 2: Find a Reliable Supplier
However, the supplier matters more than the truck, because a good exporter will reject a bad unit before you ever see it. First, check that the company owns the yard and the trucks, since brokers cannot offer a live cold start. Also ask for real inventory videos, a written inspection report and two or three customer contacts you can call. Then watch how fast they answer technical questions, because that speed predicts how they will handle a shipping problem.
A serious supplier will send a walkaround video, an engine start video and close-up chassis photographs before you pay anything. Our guide on how to find a reliable used truck supplier in China lists the ten checks in order.
Step 3: Confirm Price (FOB / CIF)
Then fix the price in writing as either FOB or CIF, and never accept a verbal figure. FOB ends at the Chinese port, so you book the vessel and the insurance yourself, while CIF covers the truck to your destination port and removes that risk on your first shipment.
| Cost item | FOB | CIF |
|---|---|---|
| Truck ex-yard, export licence, customs | Included | Included |
| Loading and terminal handling in China | Included | Included |
| Ocean freight to your port | Your cost | Included |
| Marine insurance | Your cost | Included |
| Destination terminal, duty, clearance | Your cost | Your cost |
Step 4: Vehicle Inspection
Also insist on an inspection before any payment, and run it as a live call rather than a file of pretty photos. Ask for a cold start, a short test drive and a full raise-and-lower of the dump body, then check the frame rails, tyre sidewalls, cab floor and chassis for rust and weld repairs. Meanwhile, compare the odometer against tyre and pedal wear, because clocking is common on older units.
If the value of the truck justifies it, add a third-party survey. Otherwise, work through our 30-point used truck inspection guide, which takes about 45 minutes on a video call.
Step 5: Make Payment
Next, pay 30% as a deposit once the video inspection satisfies you, and pay the 70% balance against the Bill of Lading or before loading, never as a full advance. However, never send 100% upfront to a supplier you have not verified, because that single mistake causes most of the losses in this trade. For larger orders, a letter of credit protects both sides, as explained in our LC and TT payment guide.
Step 6: Shipping and Loading
After that, choose the shipping method that fits the truck and your budget. RoRo is usually the cheapest and needs no dismantling, containers suit pickups and light cargo trucks, and bulk shipping only pays off on large orders. Popular Chinese loading ports include Tianjin, Shanghai and Qingdao, and transit to African ports runs 25–40 days.
Step 7: Customs Clearance and Documents
Finally, clear customs at your own port with a complete document set, because one missing page can hold the truck for weeks. You should receive the Bill of Lading, the commercial invoice, the packing list, the Certificate of Origin and the export declaration, plus the registration and title papers that prove the VIN.
| Document | Who issues it | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of Lading | Shipping line | Cargo release at destination |
| Commercial Invoice | Exporter | Duty assessment and bank payment |
| Packing List | Exporter | Customs inspection and tally |
| Certificate of Origin | CCPIT or customs | Origin proof and duty treatment |
| Export licence and customs declaration | Exporter and China customs | Proves the export is legal |
| Registration and title papers | Chinese vehicle authority | Proves VIN and legal ownership |
| Pre-shipment inspection certificate | KEBS, TBS or your nominated agent | Compulsory in some markets |
Then match the paperwork to your own market, because the destination, not China, decides the last step. For example, Kenya enforces an 8-year age cap verified by KEBS before loading, and South Africa restricts used vehicles behind an ITAC permit. Also, Nigeria’s 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures cut the used-vehicle import levy from 15% to 5% of CIF, so clearing there is cheaper than last year. Check our country age-limit guide before you pay a deposit.
How Long Does It Take?
Plan for 38–67 days from deposit to truck in your yard, and add one to two weeks if your market requires pre-shipment inspection. Ocean transit dominates the schedule, so nothing you do after loading speeds it up.
| Stage | Typical days | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Selection and live video inspection | 1–3 | You and the exporter |
| Contract, 30% deposit, invoice | 1–2 | Both parties |
| Balance payment, export licence, customs | 3–7 | Exporter |
| Loading at Tianjin, Shanghai or Qingdao | 1–3 | Port agent |
| Ocean transit to Africa | 25–40 | Shipping line |
| Ocean transit to the Middle East | 15–25 | Shipping line |
| Destination clearance and delivery | 7–14 | Your clearing agent |
▶ Watch: used commercial vehicles from China — dump, tractor, cargo, mixer and tanker trucks, export-ready and inspected, from $18,500 FOB — see the overview on YouTube.
How Much Does It Cost?
For a typical 6×4 HOWO tractor truck to Lagos, expect 13,000–30,000 US dollars landed, with freight adding 2,200–3,500 dollars on top of the FOB price.
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Truck FOB, Tianjin | $8,800–$19,500 | Segment, year and mileage drive the spread |
| RoRo freight and insurance to Africa | $2,200–$3,500 | Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam |
| Container option (small units) | $1,500–$3,000 | Pickups and light cargo trucks |
| Duty, VAT and levies at destination | 20–50% of CIF | Country specific |
| Clearing, port charges, delivery | $600–$1,800 | Port to your yard |
Freight and duty, not the truck, decide the final number, so always compare landed cost instead of asking who is cheapest. Our guides on RoRo and container shipping break both down in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions — How to Import Used Trucks from China
What is the first step to import a used truck from China?
First, define your requirements: truck type, brand, budget and destination country. Then contact an exporter who can show real inventory on live video, because that single test removes most of the risk before you spend anything.
How much does it cost to import a used truck from China?
Typically, the truck costs 8,800–19,500 US dollars FOB, freight and insurance add 2,200–5,000 dollars, and duty and taxes at destination run 20–50% of CIF depending on the country. Overall, budget on landed cost rather than on the headline price.
How long does the import process take?
Then count the blocks: 1–3 days for selection and inspection, 5–7 days for export paperwork, 20–40 days of ocean transit, and 7–14 days for destination clearance. Altogether, that lands between 35 and 65 days for most African buyers.
What documents are needed to import from China?
Also collect the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin and vehicle title, and check whether your country adds a compulsory certification such as SONCAP in Nigeria or KEBS verification in Kenya. Meanwhile, keep digital copies of everything, because banks and clearing agents will both ask.
Can I trust a Chinese truck exporter?
However, trust follows evidence, not promises. Look for live video inspection instead of stock photos, transparent CIF pricing, verifiable export history, and a written refusal to take full payment upfront. Still, verify the company yourself through its business licence and a call with an existing customer.
Why Choose Us
About HebeiCar. We are a used truck exporter based in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, operating since 2015, and to date we have shipped 500+ trucks to buyers across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Every unit goes through the same inspection checklist described in this guide, on camera, before any payment is made. Company and contact details are on our About page.
Get the Best Price via WhatsApp
Contact us directly for current inventory and CIF prices.
WhatsApp: +8615717687720
Or visit https://www.hebeicar.com, and watch real vehicles on TikTok.
Final Tips
Overall, importing used trucks from China stays simple when you work with the right supplier. First, verify the truck on live video. Second, choose an exporter who owns the inventory. Third, understand the shipping term before you sign. Finally, keep every document in one folder, because that folder is what gets your truck out of the port.
Quick Answer: Importing a Used Truck from China
- First, choose the type and brand by job and budget, then confirm the FOB or CIF price in writing.
- Then inspect the unit on a live video call and reject frame cracks, hydraulic creep-down and VIN mismatches.
- Also pay only 30% as a deposit, with the balance against the Bill of Lading, never 100% upfront.
- Next, ship from Tianjin, Shanghai or Qingdao, allowing 25–40 days to African ports.
- Finally, clear at destination with the Bill of Lading, invoice, packing list and Certificate of Origin, and check your market’s age limit first.
🔗 Related Products
Popular Markets: Nigeria → Ghana → Kenya →
Related reading: How to run a VIN check before you pay and Importing used trucks to the UAE.
Before you fix a shipping date, read these two related pages: China 2026 used truck export policy and a customs clearing vehicle in stock.
About the Author
Wang Jianbin is the founder of HebeiCar (hebeicar.com), a China-based used truck exporter. Since 2014, he has helped 500+ fleet owners and dealers across 20+ African countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, DRC, Ethiopia and more — source quality used HOWO, Shacman, FAW and FOTON trucks at factory-direct prices. Every truck is inspected in his own yard in Shijiazhuang, Hebei before shipping, and he writes about import procedures, shipping logistics, customs clearance and truck selection based on that real export experience.
Watch real inventory walkaround videos on the YouTube channel, or contact Wang Jianbin directly for current inventory and CIF prices via WhatsApp.
