I. Preparation before Submission
Prior to export, enterprises must familiarize themselves with the regulatory requirements of customs, commerce, public security, maritime affairs, and other relevant authorities, as well as the laws and regulations of the destination country or region concerning automotive products. This ensures that the exported products comply with mandatory technical standards in areas such as safety, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. When necessary, detailed insights into the automotive technical regulations and product market access management systems of the trading country or region can be obtained through specialized technical institutions.
New energy vehicles refer to automobiles powered by unconventional fuels (such as electricity or hydrogen fuel). The main classifications include:
Battery Electric Vehicles (EV): Powered exclusively by batteries.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV): Utilize both fuel and batteries as power sources. Including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV): Powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Other new energy vehicles, such as hydrogen engine vehicles and those fueled by compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and ethanol.
The vehicles referred to in this article fall under the Customs HS four-digit code "8703", which covers "motor vehicles primarily used for carrying passengers (excluding passenger vehicles with more than 10 seats), including recreational vehicles and racing cars." Currently, the vast majority of new energy vehicles exported from China are classified under the "8703" tariff heading.
II. Export Declaration
Enterprises must comply with customs declaration requirements by submitting an export license issued by the Ministry of Commerce and a customs declaration authorization letter. Supporting documents such as contracts, invoices, packing lists, cargo manifests, or bills of lading may be omitted during initial submission but must be provided if requested during customs review. Declarations are made through the China International Trade Single Window platform. The national integrated customs clearance model applies to automobile exports, allowing enterprises to independently select the location for export declaration and the exit port.
According to the Catalogue of Goods Subject to Export License Management (2025), new battery electric vehicles are exempt from export license applications, whereas new hybrid electric vehicles, new fuel cell electric vehicles, and new battery electric trucks require export licenses. For used new energy vehicles, export licenses must be applied for in accordance with the requirements of Announcement No. 6 [2024] jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
III. Arrival of Goods
Once all new energy vehicles have arrived at the customs-regulated operation site, the operator of the relevant facility will electronically submit an arrival report to customs. Upon receiving the report, customs will process the inspection or release procedures for the goods.
Reminder:
The China International Trade Single Window will simultaneously provide relevant feedback, and companies are required to promptly monitor their customs clearance status.
IV. Goods Inspection
Customs will comprehensively assess whether to inspect the goods based on product risk levels and corporate credit ratings.
For new energy vehicles selected for inspection, if no abnormalities are found during the inspection, customs will release them in accordance with regulatory requirements; if abnormalities are detected, after appropriate handling by customs, vehicles meeting the regulatory requirements will be released.
V. Release of Goods
For new energy vehicles not selected for inspection, customs will release them according to regulatory requirements. After customs completes the release of the customs declaration form, enterprises can proceed with the goods shipment formalities using either an electronic or paper customs release certificate.
VI. Departure Customs Clearance
After the shipment of new energy vehicles, the customs will close the clearance process for qualified customs declaration forms.
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
Hot News
