How to Order Ready Stock Cars from China: Step-by-Step for Dealers

For overseas car dealers, one of the biggest pain points when sourcing vehicles from China is uncertainty: uncertain availability, uncertain pricing, and uncertain timelines. Ready stock changes all of that. When a supplier holds physical vehicles on the ground in Guangzhou — inspected, documented, and export-ready — dealers can move from inquiry to container loading in under two weeks.

This guide walks through the exact process RichingAuto uses to supply ready stock vehicles to dealers in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Whether you are placing your first order or streamlining an existing supply chain, the steps below give you a clear picture of what to expect, what to prepare, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Ready stock is not the same as a broker sending you listings from third-party markets. It means the exporter physically controls the vehicle, holds it at their yard, and can provide real inspection before you commit to full payment. That distinction matters significantly for B2B buyers managing cash flow and container schedules.

Key point: Ready stock means the exporter physically holds the vehicle in Guangzhou. You can request inspection before balance payment — no need to fly to China.

Quick Summary: The Ready Stock Order Process

Ordering ready stock cars from China follows a clear 6-step process:

• Send your inquiry with target model, quantity, and budget
• Receive stock list with FOB pricing from Nansha Port
• Confirm vehicle selection and pay 30% deposit
• Receive full pre-shipment inspection report (photos + video)
• Approve vehicles and pay balance
• Supplier loads container and provides export documents

Step 1: Send Your Inquiry

The process starts with a WhatsApp or email inquiry. A useful inquiry includes the vehicle type you need (SUV, sedan, pickup), the brand or brands you are open to, your target FOB price range, and the quantity you are looking to order — whether that is a single unit or a full container load.

You do not need to specify an exact model at this stage. Many dealers tell us their target market and selling price, and we match stock accordingly. For example: ‘We sell SUVs in Nigeria between $15,000 and $22,000 retail. What do you have in stock that fits a $12,000–$16,000 FOB range?’ That is enough to get a useful stock list back.

Design tip: Include your target country when inquiring. Shipping costs vary significantly between Nansha Port and Lagos, Mombasa, Jeddah, or Callao. We factor this in when recommending the right price bracket.

What to Include in Your Inquiry

• Vehicle type: SUV, sedan, MPV, pickup, or mixed
• Preferred brands: g. Toyota, Jetour, Changan, BYD, or open to options
• Quantity: number of units or target container size (20ft / 40ft)
• FOB budget: your target price per unit at Nansha Port
• Destination port: so we can confirm left-hand or right-hand drive and advise on shipping cost
• Condition preference: new, used, or open to both

Step 2: Review the Stock List

Within 24 hours of your inquiry, we send a stock list covering available units that match your criteria. The list includes make, model, year, mileage (for used vehicles), colour, transmission, and FOB price per unit. For used vehicles, we also include a brief condition summary.

FOB price means the cost of the vehicle delivered to the vessel at Nansha Port. It does not include ocean freight, insurance, import duty, or destination port charges — those are arranged by your freight forwarder on the destination side. This structure gives you full control over your landed cost calculation.

What FOB Price Covers vs What It Does Not

Step 3: Pay the Deposit

Once you confirm which vehicles you want, we issue a pro-forma invoice and collect a 30% deposit via T/T (telegraphic transfer). The deposit reserves the specific vehicles in our yard and triggers the pre-shipment inspection process.

Payment is made to our company account in China. We provide a full set of banking details on the pro-forma invoice. For first-time buyers, we recommend starting with a smaller order — one or two units — to establish the working relationship before scaling to full container volumes.

Important: Never pay a full 100% deposit before seeing an inspection report. The standard practice for reputable Chinese car exporters is 30% deposit, inspection, then balance. Any supplier demanding full payment upfront before inspection is a red flag.

Step 4: Pre-Shipment Inspection

After your deposit is received, we carry out a full pre-shipment inspection of each vehicle you have selected. This includes exterior photos from all angles, interior photos, odometer reading (for used), engine bay photos, and a short video walkthrough of the vehicle running.

For used vehicles, we also document any cosmetic issues — minor scratches, scuffs, or wear — so you know exactly what you are receiving. Nothing is hidden. The inspection report is sent to you via WhatsApp or email, usually within 2–3 working days of deposit receipt.

What the Inspection Report Covers

• Full exterior photo set (front, rear, both sides, roof)
• Interior photos (dashboard, seats, boot)
• Engine bay photo
• Odometer reading photo (used vehicles)
• VIN plate photo
• Short video of engine running and doors/windows operating
• Written condition notes for any cosmetic defects

Note: If you are not satisfied with a vehicle after inspection, you can request a substitute from available stock. Your deposit remains valid — it is not forfeited.

Step 5: Pay the Balance

Once you approve the inspection report, you pay the remaining 70% balance via T/T. Payment confirmation triggers the loading process. We coordinate with our port agent at Nansha to schedule container loading in line with your freight forwarder’s vessel booking.

For mixed container loads — for example, two SUVs and two sedans in one 40ft container — we prepare a loading plan in advance so the container is filled efficiently. A standard 40ft container typically fits 4–6 sedans or 3–4 SUVs depending on body size.

Typical Container Loading Capacity

Step 6: Receive Export Documents

After container loading, we prepare and courier the full set of export documents to you. These documents are required for customs clearance at your destination port and must be received before the vessel arrives.

Document preparation typically takes 5–7 working days after loading. We send originals via international courier (DHL or FedEx) and share scanned copies digitally as soon as they are ready.

Standard Export Documents Provided

• Bill of Lading (B/L): issued by the shipping line, required for cargo release at destination
• Commercial Invoice: showing vehicle details, quantity, and FOB value
• Packing List: itemised list of contents per container
• Certificate of Origin (CO): confirms vehicles are of Chinese origin, required for duty calculation
• Export Declaration: Chinese customs clearance document

Typical Timeline: Deposit to Container Loading

Key point: The 7–15 day window is for ready stock only. Custom orders or vehicles sourced from the open market take significantly longer — typically 3–6 weeks from deposit to loading.

What to Prepare Before Sending Your First Inquiry

To get an accurate stock list and FOB quote as quickly as possible, have the following information ready when you contact us. The more specific your brief, the better we can match stock to your market.

• Target vehicle type: SUV, sedan, MPV, pickup, or commercial
• Preferred brands: specific brands or open to options
• Year range: g. 2020 and newer, or any year
• Condition: new, used, or both
• Quantity: units per order and expected order frequency
• FOB budget per unit: your ceiling price at Nansha Port
• Destination port: for LHD/RHD confirmation and shipping cost reference
• Preferred payment method: T/T (standard), LC for large volumes

Conclusion

Ordering ready stock cars from China does not have to be complicated. When you work with a supplier who physically holds vehicles in Guangzhou, the process follows a straightforward sequence: inquiry, stock list, deposit, inspection, balance, loading, documents. Each step is transparent and the timeline is predictable.

RichingAuto maintains ready stock of new and used vehicles at our Guangzhou yard, with FOB export from Nansha Port. We supply dealers in Africa, the Middle East, and South America with single units and full container loads. If you would like to see what is currently available, send us a WhatsApp message and we will reply with a current stock list and pricing within 24 hours.