A typical payment structure looks like this: 1. Deposit: 10-30% after you confirm the car and price, often to reserve the vehicle and start the inspection. 2. Balance: paid after you approve the inspection report, but before or at shipment. A common safeguard is paying against a copy of the bill of lading, with telex release of the original B/L after funds arrive. 3. Never send 100% upfront to a new supplier. Use traceable methods (T/T bank transfer to a corporate account matching the company name, or escrow for first orders) and keep every agreement in writing. 4. Timeline: quote within days, inspection 3-7 days, booking and loading 1-2 weeks, ocean transit 3-6 weeks, customs clearance 3-10 days. Red flags: personal bank accounts, pressure to skip inspection, prices far below market.

No, it is absolutely impossible to get a refund. Not only will there be no refund, but if the proceeds from the port auction of the abandoned cargo are insufficient to cover the exorbitant demurrage and disposal fees, the shipping company and customs will still pursue you (the bill of lading recipient) for the remaining debt through international legal proceedings.

We mainly collaborate with professional organizations certified by China's national CMA (Certification of Inspection and Testing Institutions). If you need the highest level of international endorsement, we can arrange for independent inspection agencies like SGS or TÜV to conduct Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI) before loading at the port.