How to Import Used Trucks from China (Complete Guide)
Written by Bean Wang — founder and export manager at Hebei Car, with 10+ years in the used truck export business.
If you want to buy a second-hand truck that is both cheap and reliable, but don’t know how to choose, you can take a look at the second-hand trucks from China. In recent years, Chinese second-hand trucks have been exported in large quantities to Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, and other parts of the world. The sales volume has been gradually increasing.
You may ask: How can I buy a second-hand truck from China? Will the process and procedures be very complicated?
Don’t worry. Let me tell you how to buy a second-hand truck from China.
Step 1: Choose the Right Truck
Before importing, you need to decide:
- Truck type: Tractor truck / Cargo truck / Dump truck / Pickup / Other models
- Brand: HOWO, SHACMAN, Dongfeng, FAW
- Year & mileage &Budget
Step 2: Find a Reliable Supplier
Choosing the right supplier is critical.
Look for:
- Export experience
- Real inventory photos/videos
- Inspection reports
- Customer cases
A good supplier will provide:
- Truck walkaround video
- Engine test video
- Chassis condition
Step 3: Confirm Price (FOB / CIF)
There are two common pricing methods:
- FOB (Free On Board)
→ You handle shipping - CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)
→ Supplier handles shipping to your port
Step 4: Vehicle Inspection
Before payment, always request an inspection:
- Engine condition
- Tire wear
- Cabin condition
- Chassis rust
You can also request:
- Third-party inspection
- Live video call inspection
Step 5: Make Payment
Common payment methods:
- T/T (Bank transfer)
- 30% deposit + 70% before shipping
Important:
Never pay 100% upfront to unknown suppliers.
Step 6: Shipping & Loading
Shipping methods:
- Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): cheapest
- Container: safer for small trucks
- Bulk shipping: for large orders
Popular ports in China:
- Qingdao
- Shanghai
- Tianjin
Step 7: Customs Clearance & Documents
You will receive:
- Bill of Lading (B/L)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Export Certificate
These documents are required to clear customs in your country. Import costs also depend on your destination country’s duty rates — for example, Nigeria’s 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures cut the used-vehicle import levy from 15% to 5% of CIF, so clearing is cheaper than last year.
How Long Does It Take?
- Truck preparation: 3–7 days
- Shipping time:
- Africa: 25–40 days
- Middle East: 15–25 days
How Much Does It Cost?
Example (HOWO Tractor Truck):
- Truck price: $8,000 – $15,000
- Shipping: $1,000 – $3,000
- Total: $9,000 – $18,000
Prices vary depending on condition and destination.
Frequently Asked Questions — How to Import Used Trucks from China
Define your requirements: truck type (dump, tractor, cargo), brand (HOWO, Shacman, FAW), budget, and destination country. Then contact a reliable exporter who can show you real inventory on video.
Typical costs: truck FOB price ($12,000–$28,000 depending on model and year), plus CIF shipping ($2,500–$5,000), plus import duties and taxes at destination (20–50% of CIF value depending on country).
Total process: 1–3 days for truck selection and inspection, 5–7 days for export paperwork, 20–30 days shipping, 7–14 days for destination customs clearance. Total: 35–55 days.
You will receive: Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Vehicle Title. Some countries require additional certifications (SONCAP for Nigeria, TBS for Tanzania).
Look for exporters who offer live video inspection (not just photos), are willing to share real inventory, provide transparent CIF pricing, and have verifiable export history. Avoid suppliers who demand full payment before showing the truck.
Why Import Used Trucks from China?
- Lower prices than Europe/Japan
- Strong supply chain
- Easy spare parts availability
- Fast delivery
Why choose us?
About HebeiCar. We are a used truck exporter based in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, operating since 2015. To date we have exported 500+ trucks to buyers across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Every unit we ship goes through the same inspection checklist in this guide, on camera, before any payment is made. Company and contact details are on our About page.
Get Best Price via WhatsApp
Click here to contact us:
WhatsApp: +8615717687720
Or visit our website
https://www.hebeicar.com
You can also watch videos of real vehicles.
https://www.tiktok.com/@usedtrucksexport
Final Tips
Importing used trucks from China is not difficult if you work with the right supplier.
The key is:
- Verify trucks
- Choose reliable exporters
- Understand shipping terms
🔗 Related Products
Popular Markets: Nigeria → Ghana → Kenya →
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.
