Under normal circumstances, it takes 15 to 25 working days. This includes: domestic transfer of ownership (3-5 days), applying for an export license (3-5 days), inland trucking to the port (2-5 days), customs inspection and waiting for loading schedule (5-10 days). Do not trust false promises from other channels claiming 'loading within a week.'

Two separate protections matter: cargo insurance and contractual risk transfer. Cargo insurance: for container or RoRo shipments, buy marine cargo insurance covering total loss and damage, typically 110% of the CIF value (average cost 0.3%–0.8%). Check exclusions — many policies exclude pre-existing damage, so a pre-shipment inspection report is essential to prove the car's condition at loading. Incoterms define who bears risk and cost at each stage: 1. FOB (Free On Board): exporter pays until the car is loaded on the vessel; risk passes to you at that point. You pay ocean freight and insurance. Common and usually cheapest if you have your own freight forwarder. 2. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): exporter pays freight and minimum insurance to your port. Convenient but the insurance coverage is basic — consider topping it up. 3. EXW (Ex Works): you handle everything from the exporter's yard; only choose this if you have a trusted agent in China. Put the agreed Incoterm and port clearly in the contract, and never release final payment before the Bill of Lading is issued.

The technician will check the production date codes and brand logos in the lower left corner of all the car's glass (including the windshield, four doors, and rear window) to see if they match the vehicle's factory date on the nameplate. If any glass is found to have a date later than the vehicle's production date, it will be recorded as evidence of a "previous damage replacement."